Positive energy

Paddy McLaughlin says Cliftonville got everything they wanted and more out of last night’s County Antrim Shield quarter-final clash with Dundela.

As well as making safe progress to the last-four, McLaughlin saw his much-changed side rattle in seven goals on a night when youngsters Stephen McGuinness, Lee O’Brien and Ethan Devine made their debuts – all of which contributed to a happy homeward journey for the Manager.

“We can’t have any complaints, I thought there was so much to be positive about,” he said.

“We rested a few boys who had been involved against Knockbreda at the weekend and then we were able to make substitutions to take the likes of Joe Gormley, Garry Breen and Liam Bagnall off for the final half an hour, with some of the younger players coming on and playing well.

“On top of that, we had Odhrán Casey backing up a good performance on Saturday with another solid 90 minutes and obviously we scored seven goals as well, which was fantastic.”

Gormley found the net four times alongside Chris Curran’s double and a birthday strike for Ryan Curran, while Conor McMenamin, Devine, Casey and O’Brien all had opportunities to get their names on the scoresheet on an evening when visiting keeper Michael Argyrides produced an athletic display.

“Dundela are a good, experienced side who will be right up there for promotion this season,” added McLaughlin.

“To play the way we did against them and to score as many as we did was very pleasing, so we got everything we wanted out of the game – and more.”