Speaking volumes

Paddy McLaughlin was delighted to see the Red Army heed his pre-match call to pump up the volume for Cliftonville’s Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup Quarter Final clash with Dungannon Swifts yesterday.

Second-half goals from Michael McCrudden and Ryan Curran, either side of a Daniel Hughes leveller, saw the Reds through to a Semi Final showdown with Glentoran and left the Manager singing the praises of the fans who roared their players through a stormy afternoon at Stangmore Park.

“Our supporters are fantastic and back us through thick and thin,” he said.

“You saw them here on such a cold, blustery day with lashing rain and they were here in their numbers again. It would be fantastic for them to get to another Final and it would be great to go and win it for them.”

Before countenancing that, however, McLaughlin admits Cliftonville will face a thorough last-four examination from the Glens.

“They are a really strong side and they have been brilliant this year,” he added.

“We know it’s going to be a tough one, but we knew it would be no matter who we drew. All the last four teams are good sides, so any of the three that we got in the Semi Finals was going to be tough.”