New kids on the block

Just as pleasing as Cliftonville’s progress to the Sixth Round of the Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup were the performances of so many young players in yesterday’s defeat of Hanover, says Manager Paddy McLaughlin.

The Reds recorded a 6-0 victory over the Mid-Ulster Football League Intermediate A Champions in a contest that saw the hosts give game-time to substitutes Donal Rocks (19) and Odhran Casey (17), while striker Calvin McCurry (18) impressed on his first start for the Club.

Fresh from opening his scoring account in the New Year’s Day victory over Glenavon, 20-year-old Thomas Maguire netted the first and last goals either side of Aaron Donnelly – himself only 19 – marking his 53rd appearance with his maiden strike alongside conversions from Joe Gormley, Ronan Doherty and Ryan Curran.

“All the young lads did well which is great to see because the future of any Football Club is in its youth,” said McLaughlin, whose side will be at home to Rathfriland Rangers in the next round.

“Wee Thomas Maguire has had a good week and you can see his game really coming on. He’s been working very hard and always gives his all, but he’s adding to his game all the time. He knows he still has a way to go but he’s prepared to put the work in to get there.”

McCurry – who scored with his first touch on his senior debut against Knockbreda back in September – completed the full 90 minutes and, though he was unable to get on the scoresheet, his display caught the eye of supporters and staff alike.

“If there’s a Man of the Match award to be handed out, then young Calvin gets it for me,” added McLaughlin.

“He led the line superbly with Joe Gormley in the first-half and was brilliant alongside Thomas Maguire in the second.

“His movement and creativity were fantastic and it will do him the world of good to have come up against the experienced centre-halves that Hanover had out there.

“Sometimes a young player can do one or two good things in a game and come away happy with themselves but, as a Manager, I’m looking at their overall contribution to the team and I thought every one of them was superb throughout.

“Calvin was unlucky not to score but I’d rather he played as well as he did and not score than put the ball in the net and not contribute to the overall team performance.”