Linfield secure Danske Bank Premiership title

A goalless draw at home to Crusaders was enough for Linfield to wrap up the Irish League title with 3 games left to play.

2nd place Ballymena United could only manage a draw away to Cliftonville, meaning the result at Windsor Park was irrelevant in the end.

It marks a second Gibson Cup triumph in 3 seasons for Blues manager David Healy.

In a first half largely lacking in chances, Crusaders forward Paul Heatley sliced a 26th minute shot from range, but it arrowed straight onto the head of Philip Lowry who turned it goalwards, forcing a smart save from Gareth Deane.

In the 51st minute, Heatley was suddenly put through by a long clearance from the Crues box, but he tried to chip Deane from a narrow angle rather than feed Hale, and the keeper smothered his effort.

Linfield were given the chance to take the lead with a 54th minute penalty, awarded after the ball bounced up and hit the arm of Crusaders captain Colin Coates.

Jordan Stewart's effort was powerfully struck, but Gerard Doherty dived to his right to turn it around the post with a superb save.

Ryan McGivern then went close to breaking the deadlock for the home side after connecting with Niall Quinn's 66th minute corner, but Doherty palmed it over the bar with another good save.

The rest of the game largely petered out into nothing as Linfield eagerly awaited the final whistle that confirmed their status as Champions.