Linfield - 6 Glentoran - 0: Emphatic Linfield demolished next month's Irish Cup final opponents Glentoran on a dramatic evening at Windsor Park last night.

Everything went according to plan for the Setanta Cup holders and just as they celebrated their biggest win over Glentoran for 33 years, Derry City's draw at Shelbourne rewarded the Blues with a semi-final trip to Drogheda United, rather than a lengthy journey to Cork City.

Linfield ripped 10-man Glentoran to shreds and were very much in control long before Mark Glendinning was dismissed just before the interval.

Paul McAreavey ran amok for the Blues, scoring twice, assisting strikes from Peter Thompson and William Murphy and won the penalty that lead to Andrew Hunter's opening goal on a night when one half of the Belfast "Big Two" crumbled to its heaviest defeat to Linfield since August 1973.

Often late and rugged in the tackle, it was no surprise when the visitors conceded a penalty in the 23rd minute which Hunter converted.

Glendinning saw red for a nasty challenge on Tim Mouncey. As if that wasn't punishment enough, within seconds of his departure, Peter Thompson hit the second for Linfield.

LINFIELD: A Mannus; Ervin, Hunter, Murphy, McShane, Gault, Kearney, McAreavey, Mouncey, Jephcott, Thompson. Subs: Mulgrew (for Mouncey, half-time), O'Kane (for Kearney, 65 mins), Larmour (for Jephcott, 71mins). Booked: Mouncey.

GLENTORAN: Morris, McDonagh, Glendinning, Simpson, Holmes, Morgan, Ward, Lockhart, McCann, Melaugh, Browne. Subs: Berry (for Brown, 67mins), Reed (for Morgan, 74mins). Booked: Lockhart, Glendinning, McDonagh.Sent-off: Glendinning.

Referee: Alan Kelly (Cork City)