Carrick looks to float one into the penalty area, but Danny Gibson is penalised for a shove on Shaun Leppard. Free-kick to the Reds and the pressure eases.

Image source, Inpho

A moment of hesitation from Jimmy Callacher after nicking the ball off Joe Gormley opens the door briefly, but Ryan Curran’s heavy touch lets him down, and the chance drifts away for a goal kick.

Another smart save from Strabane Athletic keeper Shane O'Gara, this time to deny Cameron Palmer.

Plenty of energy here in north Belfast, but little goalmouth action since Ryan Curran’s early strike - his second of the competition after scoring in the quarter-final win over Linfield.

Danny Amos does brilliantly to skip past a number of defenders and race into the Strabane Athletic penalty box but his low drilled cross evades team-mates up in support.

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer

It's an unbelievable start for Cliftonville. It's great hold up play from Joe Gormley and Ryan Curran hit it early, which was enough to beat the goalkeeper.

Glentoran cough up possession inside the centre circle.

Oisin Duffy is quickly on to the loose ball but his audacious effort from just inside the Glentoran half is wide of the target with keeper Billy Crellin off his line.

It's the perfect start for Cliftonville at Seaview as Ryan Curran fires home an early opener.

Glentoran midfielder Jack Malone tries his luck from distance but Strabane Athletic goalkeeper Shane O'Gara gets down low to gather at his near post.

Mikey Place fires it up to Danny Gibson, who battles with Shaun Leppard before taking a knock to the face and going down.

A pause in play here. Stephen Baxter will be hoping his front man can continue after that electric showing at Solitude just a few days ago.

Paul Heatley jinks past his man and slips it wide for Aidan Steele, who whips in a fizzing cross with real pace.

It’s a dangerous ball, but the Reds’ defence stands firm.

Strabane Athletic have their first sight of goal.

A quick free-kick frees Oisin Porter on the right wing who squares for Niall McGinley whose shot goes the wrong side of the crossbar.

Encouragement for the away side inside the opening few minutes.

Joe Gormley brings down PJ Morrison’s long ball with a lovely touch, spins sharply and catches a half-volley.

It’s on target, but blocked at close range before Scott Pengelly scrambles across to claim the loose ball.

An early attack for the home side but Jordan Stewart fluffs his lines in front of goal.

A warning for the visitors.

Strabane Athletic's Oisin Duffey gets us underway in driving rain at the Oval.

Will we have a cup upset tonight?

Image source, PressEye

And we’re off.

Stephen Baxter’s men are chasing just their second ever Shield success, with Carrick’s only previous win coming way back in 1993, while the Reds are eyeing a sixth final victory on the bounce in the competition.

One of them will be lifting silverware at full-time. Let’s find out who

It's more David and Goliath than Samson and Goliath tonight in the shadows of the famous Harland and Wolf cranes in east Belfast as third-tier Strabane Athletic make a first ever visit to the Oval to face 23-times winners of the Irish Cup, Glentoran.

The intermediate club have come through four rounds to reach this stage, their journey beginning with a 6-0 win over Tyrone neighbours Cookstown Youth way back at the start of August.

Their hosts haven't won this trophy since the 'Covid final' of July 2020 when Robbie McDaid's extra-time goal was enough to defeat David Jeffrey's Ballymena United in front of just 500 fans at Windsor Park.

Glentoran head coach Declan Devine makes six changes to the team which began Saturday's 2-1 win away at Glenavon.

Club captain Marcus Kane and Jordan Jenkins get the night off while goalkeeper Andrew Mills, Joe Thomson, Liam Burt and James Singleton are listed among the substitutes.

In their place come Billy Crellin in goal, Dylan Connolly, Jordan Stewart, Danny Amos, James Douglas and recent recruit Jack Malone.

Strabane Athletic head coach Mo Mahon goes with two changes from the starting XI which saw off Knockbreda 2-1 in the Premier Intermediate League at the weekend.

Gary Merritt and Bradley Callaghan both drop to the bench and are replaced by Sean McCallion and Niall McGinley.

Glentoran: Crellin, Connolly, Palmer, Hoban (c), Stewart, Kamara, Larmour, Amos, Gallagher, Malone, Douglas.

Subs: Mills, Thomson, Burt, Singleton, McCann, Weatherup, Rogers-Duffy.

Strabane Athletic: O'Gara, Falconer, O'Hagan, McMenamin (c), Burns, Duffy, Sharkey, McCallion, Crawford, McKinley, Porter.

Subs: McElroy, Merritt, Callaghan, McShane, Woods, Devine, Kirk.

Referee: Tim Marshall.

Image source, BBC Sport

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville captain Rory Hale says the side will "be looking to make up for bad times" in the County Antrim Shield final against Carrick Rangers.

The Reds' previous final appearance ended in disappointment after they suffered a penalty shootout Irish Cup decider defeat to Dungannon Swifts.

However, this season, the Reds were the 4-1 victors against Ballymena United in the semi-final to make the Shield showpiece for the first time since 2020 and they are also in the hat for the Irish Cup sixth round.

"It is another cup final and will be our fourth final in two and a half years," Hale told BBC Sport NI.

"This group is starting to get a feel for it, and it is a game we are really looking forward to.

"The last final ended up in a penalty shootout defeat so we will be looking to make up for the bad times."