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With a disappointing league finish, Leon Knight's suspension and deep financial problems, Glentoran fans could be forgiven for thinking the club's future looked seriously bleak, but Spike Hill's reserves side demonstrated their potential with a 4-2 victory over Cliftonville Olympic in the George Wilson Cup final.
First team manager Eddie Patterson watched on from the main stand at Seaview as Owain Beggs, Jim O'Hanlon and Martin Murray starred against the Reserve League champions.
Glentoran got off to a flying start when the pacey Beggs out-stripped the Olympic defence. He controlled a searching pass at pace before sprinting forward and rifling the ball into the net from just inside the 18-yard box. The goal was clocked at an impressive 52 seconds.
Glentoran's second goal arrived on the half hour mark when the impressive Robbie-Lee Crawford put in a marvellous cross from the left flank, which was headed in by John McGuigan from 10 yards.
Jim O'Hanlon added a third in the 37th minute, when the right winger cut in from the flank and unleashed a powerful 25-yard left foot drive that found the bottom corner of the net, leaving James McConville with no chance.
Glentoran made it 4-0 in the 64th minute. Ross Davidson capitalised on some appalling defending from Olympic. His left footed pile-driver from 14-yards was unstoppable.
Credit to the young Cliftonville side who, though they were without a number of key players, refused to give up on their dream of winning an historic double. They pulled a goal back in the 66th minute when Gary Warwick turned in a low cross into the net.
The Reds reduced the Glens lead to two goals in the 76th minute when Eamon Hughes struck a ferocious effort from 20- yards which gave Olympic hope that an outrageous comeback might be possible.
But these hopes were derailed in the 85th minute when Emmet Templeton received his second yellow card of the game, for a rash tackle.
Glentoran II then held on to their 4-2 lead to record a well deserved cup final victory in a difficult season for the east Belfast club. The first team could perhaps learn a thing or two from the junior counterparts, who impressed with their incisive passing and competitive spirit.
Cliftonville Olympic : McConville, Cosgrove, Hughes, Bannon, McGonnell, Moore, Templeton, Slane, Lynch (80 Donaldson), Warwick, McGrandles (45 Forbes). Subs Not Used : Rooney, McCabe, Reynolds
Glentoran II : Hogg, Thompson, Birney, McGovern, Davidson, O'Hanlon (84 McKinney), Johnton (68 McIlveen), McGuigan Crawford (64 Burns), Murray, Beggs. Subs Not Used : McConnell,McKinney, Smith
Referee: Steven Taylor.
