| ROUND ONE - Monday, 28th October, 2002 - Ballymena Showgrounds |
| BALLYMENA UNITED 8 |
| (Campbell '42,'68; O'Loughlin '50; McLaughlin '52; Withnell '56; O. Kearney '60; Burnside '75, '78) |
| BALLYMONEY UNITED 0 |
| - |
| Team: Nelson, G. Kearney, Culbertson, McAlinden, Watson (sub McDowell 67), O'Loughlin, McLernon, O. Kearney, Campbell, Withnell (sub Burnside 62), Millar (sub McLaughlin 48). |
| Match Description: Ballymena United walked all over neighbours Ballymoney United in this first round tie at the Showgrounds. However, it was much more of a contest until Ballymoney goalkeeper Darren Crawford went off injured after 36 minutes. Both Shea Campbell and Gavin Burnside grabbed a brace, with John O'Loughlin, Gareth McLaughlin, Peter Withnell and Oran Kearney getting on the scoresheet. |
| QUARTER-FINAL - Tuesday, 14th January, 2003 - New Grosvenor Park |
| LISBURN DISTILLERY 1 |
| (Holland '69) |
| BALLYMENA UNITED 2 |
| (O. Kearney '48; Millar '83) |
| Team: Nelson, Byrne, Boyd, McMullan, G. Kearney, Watson (sub Gregg 60), McLernon, O. Kearney, Millar, Withnell (sub Duff 87), O'Loughlin. Sub (not used): McDowell. |
| Match Description: Ballymena qualified for the semi-finals after a hard-fought win against Premier League side Lisburn Distillery. Oran Kearney had put United ahead just after the break, only for Mark Holland to equalise with 20 minutes left. Paul Millar popped up with the winning goal late in the game heading home Nigel Boyd's cross. |
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| SEMI-FINAL - Tuesday, 18th February, 2003 - Ballymena Showgrounds |
| BALLYMENA UNITED 3 |
| (Evans '14; Gregg '59; Withnell '69) |
| CHIMNEY CORNER 1 |
| (Hume '14) |
| Team: Robinson, O'Loughlin, Mullan (sub Culbertson 81), McMullan, G. Kearney, Gormley, Stewart (sub Byrne 73), O. Kearney, Millar, Gregg (sub Withnell 66), Evans. |
| Match Description: Despite being given the easiest available route to the final, they were given a scare by the Second Division side. Johnny Hume opened the scoring after 14 minutes, however United equalised through Paul Evans ten minutes later. The Braidmen dominated the rest of the game and goals from Conor Gregg and Peter Withnell sealed their place in the final. |
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| FINAL - Tuesday, 4th March, 2003 - The Oval - Attendance: 1,577 |
| GLENTORAN 3 |
| (Armour '42; A. Smith '58; Young '69) |
| BALLYMENA UNITED 0 |
| - |
| Glentoran: Morris, Nixon, Leeman, Walker, Young, G. Smyth (c), Lockhart, O'Neill, A. Smith, Amour, Timothy McCann. Subs (not used): Tim McCann, Halliday, Riches. |
| Ballymena United: Robinson, Carlisle, Boyd, McMullan (sub Stewart 79), G. Kearney, Byrne, O'Loughlin, O. Kearney, Campbell, McLernon (sub Gregg 65), Evans. Sub (not used): McDowell. |
| Referee: Alan Snoddy (Carrduff) |
| Match Description: First Division United played second fiddle to Premier League leaders, Glentoran, for the majority of the game. Darren Armour opened the scoring just before half time and goals from Andy Smith and Scott Young sealed victory for the Glens on their own patch, but Ballymena could walk away proud of their achievements as they battled hard until the end. |
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