Paul Hardy's back-heel at the sun drenched Oval grounds sealed the Irish Cup for United; in turn making them the most successful provincial side in the cup's history.

The lack-lustre final was nothing compared to the excitement of a thrilling semi-final when Alex McKee's Sky Blues turned over Linfield in front of a huge crowd, with that man, Hardy, grabbing a late winner. Although goalkeeper Damien Grant had single-handedly kept Ballymena in the first semi-final.

Irish Cup specialists may have celebrated their fourth triumph of the decade, but the League form left a lot to be desired - as Ballymena finished a poor ninth in the table after a poor start to their league campaign.

The other cup competitions produced unspectactular results, only the County Antrim Shield run to the semi-final (which included a 3-0 victory over Linfield) provided any real success to go with the Irish Cup.

Final League Position - 9th (from 14)

Irish Cup - Winners - defeated Larne in the final
Gold Cup - Group Stages
Ulster Cup - Group Stages
League Cup - Quarter-Final - defeated by Cliftonville
Floodlit Cup - First Round - defeated by Bangor
County Antrim Shield - Semi-Final - defeated by Glentoran

Total games played - 50
Total wins - 18
Total draws - 16
Total defeats - 16
Total goals scored - 74
Total goals conceded - 70

Biggest home win - 5-1 v. Ballyclare Comrades - 01-Mar-89 (Irish Cup)
Biggest away win - 4-0 v. Distillery - 28-Jan-89 (Irish Cup)

Biggest home defeat - 0-4 v. Linfield - 29-Apr-89 (Irish League)
Biggest away defeat - 1-4 v. Coleraine - 14-Jan-89 (Irish League); 1-4 v. Cliftonville - 17-Jan-89 (Irish League)

Total players used -
Most appearances (all competitions) -
Most appearances (league only) -

Leading goalscorer (all competitions) - Paul Hardy (21 goals)
Leading goalscorer (league only) - Paul Hardy (10 goals)
Hat-tricks - None