CRUSADERS laid 41 years of Irish Cup elusion to rest as they grappled against a defiant Cliftonville at Windsor Park to be named cup champions.

The self-titled North Shore Brazilians traded attractive passing for whatever was necessary to win, while the Reds valiantly tried to climb back into the game.

Mark Dickson was credited with the only goal of the match after his opportunistic finish, shortly after the interval, added another branch to Crusaders' history.

"It is an absolutely fantastic feeling to put so many years of chasing this cup behind us and to be honest, there's no reason why we shouldn't fight to retain it next year," Baxter said after the final. "It was far from an easy match and Cliftonville made it extremely difficult for us. They countered our attack and tried to get back into it but I think we scored at a good time and did very well throughout. I have to hand it to the whole team, it was wonderful to see them lift the trophy."

Baxter's triumphant joy could not have been predicted before the interval, however. The first half simply chronicled a series of missed chances for both sides, which worryingly indicated extra time. Matters were balanced but exchanges were fraught with errors, with each side continually dispossessing one another, only for their forward lines to then dissolve their chances in front of goal.

Backing into the shelter of his technical area, his lengthy frame propped up against the inside of the dugout, Crues boss Stephen Baxter looked in remarkably serene anticipation of some action.

His opposite number's anxiety however was evident. Cliftonville's wide, attacking approach was a risky one for Eddie Patterson, whose men were either closed down too easily.

However, Baxter's lethargic-looking stature during the first half must have been completely inverted as soon as he hit the dressing room at half time, because three minutes into the second half, his side took the lead.

20 year old Martin Donnelly has been marked throughout the season for his good execution from set pieces and his cute free kick was only half cleared, before Mark Dickson positioned himself to receive. Connolly, threatened from close range, could do little to prevent Dickson from forcefully striking into the central back of the net.

Crusaders certainly took greater ownership of the second half but Cliftonville continued to push forward, switching to a 4-3-3 model in pursuit of an equaliser.

At first glance, Patterson's squad selections still permitted clear options, with teenagers Mark Patterson and Liam Boyce named on the bench. However, neither youngster made an appearance, with the Reds boss opting for experience in his substitutions. Rory Hamill and Conor Downey were thrown on mid way through the second half, each designed to offer a little more presence to the County Antrim Shield winning line-up. With just a single goal lead and the relentless breath of extra time on their necks, Crusaders had no alternative but to continue on the attack.

Then Donnelly's left-footed corner, curled dangerously into the penalty area in just the third minute, but was saved by Reds 'keeper John Connolly.

Cliftonville generally responded well to anything Crusaders threw at them during the first period, but were regrettably inconsequential in their finishing. Chris Scannell ran out of field and missed his footing inside the area after Mark Holland cleanly crossed to him inside the area, wasting Cliftonville's first real opportunity to create.

Both goalkeepers were equally tested, through some very fluid, if a little gritty play, although Connolly looked slightly more harassed throughout. On 16 minutes, David Rainey broke through along the left to serve Jordan Owens, who was narrowly wide with a strike from outside the box.

Chris Scannell emerged shortly afterwards to strike from the edge of the area but his effort was stopped by Crusaders 'keeper Chris Keenan. The rebound was collected from 20 yards out by Barry Holland who instantly shot although again, this was unproductive.

After 36 minutes, a completely unmarked Jordan Owens smashed apart a perfect opportunity to score, after the ball escaped from Barry Holland and while one on one with the keeper and on-side, Owens blasted it over the bar.

Substitute Rory Hamill showed some promising change for the Reds with a deft corner which Declan O'Hara headed upwards, but it just skimmed over the crossbar. Although eventual runners-up, Cliftonville certainly never made it easy for the Crues. "It was hard to cope sometimes with what they came back with," said skipper Colin Coates. "When they strengthened their attack it was hard to react with the wind against us and we probably should not have sat so deeply after scoring but we continued to push on where possible and certainly deserved the win."

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