Larne boss Tiernan Lynch hunting County Antrim Shield hat-trick against Linfield

The Inver Park outfit won the competition for the first time in 2021 and followed it up with a 1-0 triumph against tonight’s opponents 12 months ago.

They warmed up for the showpiece decider with a 1-0 league victory over Glentoran on Saturday and Lynch will be looking for a repeat of last year when Tomas Cosgrove’s late strike was enough to retain their title.

"It's our third County Antrim final in a row and we have to go and enjoy it,” Lynch told Larne’s YouTube channel following their weekend win. "I'm led to believe that it's a full house from both sides and it's built up for a good atmosphere.

"It's two good teams who, hopefully, both want to play and, hopefully, we don't have to worry about wind or soggy pitches and we can get a good spectacle for the Irish League."

Larne head into the final sitting second in the league table – two points and one position ahead of Linfield – and won the rivals’ first meeting of the season 4-2 in October before David Healy’s men struck back with a 1-0 victory a month later.

They’ve only lost one of their last six in all competitions.

"This team is a different animal,” said Lynch. “It has a little bit of everything in my opinion - they have size, strength, energy, they can play, then can fight - they have it all.

"Our big job is getting them to believe that and for them to understand that we are as good as anybody in this league, and we have to do that and believe in ourselves. I have no doubt that they can go wherever they want."

Linfield have lost in two finals since their last County Antrim Shield success in 2017, with Healy determined to add another piece of silverware to the club’s impressive overall haul.

"We lost to Larne in the final last year and I have lost three County Antrim finals, so it's about time we went and put in a performance and try to win it,” he told the club’s official channel. "There will be changes but that doesn't mean it's any less important. We want to win lots of silverware and be successful, so we will pick the strongest team to get a result."