Glentoran beat Crusaders 1-0 in Charity Shield at Solitude
Last updated on .From the section Football
A second-half goal from Jordan Stewart proved enough for Glentoran to see off Crusaders 1-0 in the Northern Ireland Charity Shield season curtain-raiser.
Stewart charged through on goal and drove a right-foot shot past Sean O'Neill in the 70th minute to secure the silverware at Solitude.
Jay Magee had dragged a penalty wide of the post in the first half.
For Crusaders, Matthew Snoddy had a header cleared off the line and Gavin Whyte twice struck the woodwork.
The Premiership champions went close early on but Snoddy's effort was superbly cleared by Glens defender Kane after he had latched onto a long ball from O'Neill and headed past the onrushing Elliott Morris.
Whyte's shot from distance came crashing off the bar, while Magee was unable to convert from the spot after Declan Caddell had dragged down Steven Gordon inside the area.
Before the break, Steven McCullough struck a fine shot from inside the area, forcing a very good stop from O'Neill.
After the interval, Whyte's attempt went agonisingly wide and the winger then smashed a low drive off the post.
Irish Cup holders Glentoran become the second club to lift the Shield since the re-introduction of the fixture last season, following Cliftonville's penalty shoot-out success over Ballymena last year.
The proceeds of the gate will go towards the Northern Ireland Hospice.