As it happened: Ballymena beat Coleraine in penalty shootout

Quote Message: The Ballymena substitutions brought a bit of freshness. It took them 10 or 15 minutes to get up to speed but they did well. I think they had to match the physicality of Coleraine and once the space opened up, which naturally happens when you haven't played in so long, they were then able to use Millar and Kane, who gave them fresh impetus.

The Ballymena substitutions brought a bit of freshness. It took them 10 or 15 minutes to get up to speed but they did well. I think they had to match the physicality of Coleraine and once the space opened up, which naturally happens when you haven't played in so long, they were then able to use Millar and Kane, who gave them fresh impetus.

Quote Message: What really pleased me was that we kept going. We went for broke and I told the players beforehand that we would be using everybody. I'm so proud of my players. I'm delighted to be in another Irish Cup final. You've got to be relentless and you've got to keep going. You've got to have the determination and you've got to have the desire. If you don't have those things then don't play a game of football. They just kept going and going and I'm so pleased and chuffed. Today couldn't have been a more perfect day. from David Jeffrey Ballymena United manager

What really pleased me was that we kept going. We went for broke and I told the players beforehand that we would be using everybody. I'm so proud of my players. I'm delighted to be in another Irish Cup final. You've got to be relentless and you've got to keep going. You've got to have the determination and you've got to have the desire. If you don't have those things then don't play a game of football. They just kept going and going and I'm so pleased and chuffed. Today couldn't have been a more perfect day.

You have to feel for Ben Doherty, Eoin Bradley and Stephen Lowry, three of the most-reliable men from 12 yards, but Ballymena took full advantage.

The Sky Blues were three minutes away from defeat in normal time but dug deep and took their chances in the shootout.

What a lift for Ballymena after a torrid league campaign! Can they go all the way?

Quote Message: Who would have thought five minutes before the end of the 90 minutes that Ballymena would be the team going through. The magic and the mystique of the Irish up hasn't let us down today. That's football for you and I thoroughly enjoyed that. All credit to both teams, they put up a super performance given the circumstances.

Who would have thought five minutes before the end of the 90 minutes that Ballymena would be the team going through. The magic and the mystique of the Irish up hasn't let us down today. That's football for you and I thoroughly enjoyed that. All credit to both teams, they put up a super performance given the circumstances.

Ben Doherty skies his spot kick and Ballymena win on penalties!

Steven McCullough, who didn't know if he was playing in the semi-final yesterday morning, puts Ballymena within touching distance!

James McLaughlin gets Coleraine on the board but is it too late?

James Knowles tucks his effort away!

The pressure is unbelievable!

Eoin Bradley pulls his effort wide! Advantage Ballymena!

Andy McGrory fires home a great penalty. The pressure is now on the Bannsiders...

Stephen Lowry hits the post! Both sides have missed their opening spot kicks!

Ballymena skipper Jim Ervin steps up but Chris Johns pulls off a fantastic save, low to his left!

The goalkeepers embrace before the shootout.

Who will hold their nerve?

A feisty derby, a screamer, controversy, a last-minute equaliser and now penalties.

Welcome back to the Irish Cup, it's like you've never been away!

Unsurprisingly, the quality has really dropped with five minute remaining. It's been a massive effort from both sides and the legs are heavy on both sides.

Three minutes to go...

More late drama or a penalty shootout? How are your nerves, Ballymena and Coleraine fans?

Kenny Kane gets the ball rolling...

It's a real slog now. 15 minutes to find a winner or this one will be decided from the spot.

Ben Doherty now blazes one over the top. There are some very, very tired legs out there now as both teams try to grind it one out.

James McLaughlin has been very lively since coming on and pulls and effort wide from the edge of the area.