The Northern Ireland striker turned the cup final in Linfield's favour after underdogs Coleraine led 1-0 at the break thanks to a strike from Paddy McLoughlin.

"I dedicate the win and goals to David Crawford," said Thompson. "I know he was looking down on us today. It is also for my grandfather who also passed away this year."

Thompson's brace early in the second half sealed a third league and cup double in a row for the Blues, something not achived in 115 years.

The Blues were expected to win the cup at ease, but it was Coleraine who dominated the first half and really they were left to rue some missed chances and goalkeeper Alan Mannus also pulled off a brilliant save.

However, manager David Jeffrey made a tactical switch at the break bringing on Mark Dickson for Paul McAreavey and the Blues did not look back.

Glenn Ferguson put Thompson into the box with a perfectly weighted pass and the striker banged in goal number 43 for the season with minutes of the restart.

Coleraine had hardly time to recover when Thompson added a crucial second, again, played in by Ferguson and his low drive went through the legs of David O'Hare.

O'Hare did deny Thompson a hat-trick late on, but despite a late flurry from Coleraine the Blues held out for an historic win.

"You need character and quality on days like this and Peter Thompson has both," said manager David Jeffrey. "We were fortunate only to be one down at the break, Coleraine outplayed us, outpassed us and really were much sharper. But we never give up and came back fighting and in the end it is a fantastic result for everyone at the club. This is for my dad Ken who has not been very well of late, but he is fighting back and this is for him."

Coleraine: O'Hare, Neill, McVey, P McLaughlin, Clanachan, Watt (sub Dooley 74), Hunter, McCallion, Carson, Patton, Tolan.

Linfield: Mannus, Lindsay, Murphy, Bailie, O'Kane, Mulgrew, Gault, McAreavey (sub Dickson 45), Kearney (sub Curran 87), Thompson, Ferguson.

Referee: David Malcolm (Bangor)