A Gary Hamilton strike after 31 minutes was enough to hand Paul Millar's side victory over Cliftonville in an intriguing clash today at Windsor Park.

Cliftonville will be bitterly disappointed, though, after creating more than enough chances to win this showpiece occasion.

Their first effort came on five minutes when Chris Scannell tested Elliott Morris with a rasping drive from some 20 yards while, on 15 minutes, Morris was called into action action with a superb full-length save to turn a curling Gary Kennedy effort just round an upright.

There was a scare for the Reds on 23 minutes when Connolly allowed a seemingly harmless Gary Smyth punt foward to slip through his grasp although Liam Fleming was on hand to clear the danger.

Then came Hamilton's wonderful solo effort. He did well to control a Kyle Neill long ball down the wing and took it past 'keeper John Connolly before slotting confidently into the unguarded net. A goal befitting of any final.

David McAlinden really should have levelled for the Reds but he squandered a glorious opportunity with a close range header after Kennedy had sent over a perfect cross from the far side of the area and two minutes into first half stoppage time Mark Holland came closer still when he headed narrowly past the far post after meeting a George McMullan cross from the left.

And Cliftonville kept up their pursuit of the equaliser in the opening exchanges of second half with a Kennedy effort from the far reaches of the area forcing Morris into a fingertip save over being the most notable attempt.

However the issue should really have put beyond doubt on 76 minutes when Jason Hill collected a Halliday ball played across the area only to send his shot well wide of the near post.

The Reds had one last real go at levelling ten minutes from time when John O'Loughlin was a matter of inches away with a close range header after meeting a McMullan ball from the right.