Paddy hails goalden moments

Paddy McLaughlin saluted Cliftonville’s clinical approach after a flurry of goals set the platform for yesterday’s victory over Dungannon Swifts.

The Reds became the first visiting team to plunder full points from Stangmore Park this season thanks in no small part to three strikes in five minutes either side of the interval; Joe Gormley and Ryan Curran adding to Garry Breen’s opener just before the break.

Gormley’s second of the day put the seal on things late on, leaving McLaughlin delighted with how his men took firm control of proceedings.

“We would probably have been happy enough going in 0-0 at half-time,” he admits.

“Breeny getting that goal with pretty much the last kick of the half changes the team-talks in both dressing rooms. We’ve then come out of the blocks quickly and killed the game at the start of the second-half.

“It was a good performance and I’m pleased we were able to do that for our supporters, who have come out in numbers to get behind us and have been our twelfth man in games this season.

“The players wanted to go out and put on a performance and I thought we had leaders from back to front, right across the park. Garry Breen has been a great leader for us this year and it’s good to see that he pops up with a goal.

“Keeping clean sheets is a difficult job but being a centre half that contributes goals as well makes him immense for us.”

On Gormley’s double, the boss adds: “He is a top goalscorer for many years and is unreal at what he does.

“I’m delighted for him as he proved he doesn’t just have to stay through the middle. He has the capabilities of coming in off the left and can score goals from anywhere.”