David Healy’s Linfield served up a Sunday treat for the first time in the club’s history.
The Danske Bank Premiership champions broke new ground by playing on the Sabbath, brought on because of their busy European schedule.
But it was business as usual as they walloped Portadown 4-0 in front of almost 3000 fans at Windsor Park.
Read more: Willowbank issue apology after video of Armagh City manager's post-match reaction hits social media
Skipper Kirk Millar opened the scoring early on – although defender Paddy McNally appeared to get the final touch – before Ethan Devine, Eetu Vertainen and substitute Andrew Clarke wrapped up the three points.
The Blues must now focus on Thursday’s Europa Conference League play-off against RFA of Latvia.
And should the Big Two giants triumph over two legs, they will write themselves into the record books by becoming the first Irish League team to reach the group stages of a European tournament.
Little wonder Healy was beaming with delight afterwards.
“It was a professional job and I thought we were good," he said. “Could we have been better? Of course. We created plenty of chances and possibly could have done a bit better in front of goal.
“Again, we had to be respectful to Portadown. I was pleased with the performance and the manner of our victory.
“We had four different goal scorers and that’s going to be crucial going forward, it’s all about building confidence and building relationships.
“The important thing at the start of this campaign, more so than before, was getting off to a winning start. We only got back from playing Zurich on Friday, so it didn’t give us much time to prepare for the game.
“So, playing on Sunday wasn’t an option for us, it was a must. Credit to the players. They know the rules, they know their jobs. We mixed and matched in a 4-3-3 formation but the players understood and adapted superbly well.”
Portadown boss Paul Doolin had no complaints, admitting: “Linfield looked fit and hungry and they have got good players. I think Chris Shields is a very big player for them. But they have been playing in high-profile European games, so their fitness levels are different class.
“Linfield are a good team, we knew what to expect, but we played well in the first half and limited them to very little chances.
"We were delighted at half-time, but when the second goal went in, we didn’t look we had the legs in us. The confidence oozed through them when Devine scored their second goal."
READ NEXT:
- Irish Premiership LIVE score updates from Saturday's games
-
Ex-Irish League teens in mix-up over West Ham United hat-trick honours
-
Stuart Dallas showing remarkable powers of recovery as photo proves
Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox.
