Three running

Three goals, three points and a clean sheet represented a perfect day as Paddy McLaughlin reflected on Cliftonville’s victory over Dungannon Swifts.

A rare Ronan Doherty header opened the scoring before Joe Gormley made it 2-0 ahead of Jamie McDonagh – who had teed up both of those first-half finishes – completed the job with his first goal for the Club late on.

“It was a great three points, I’m delighted,” said McLaughlin.

“With the position Dungannon are in the League, people might take a win for granted but they’re a really good footballing side, full of energy, full of pace – especially at the top end of the pitch – and we’ve had to work really hard for the clean sheet.

“I think the boys managed the game really well in the second-half, they nullfied the threat Dungannon had and, when you’ve got a 2-0 lead to protect, sometimes it’s just about managing situations and managing games.

“Last week, we spoke to the boys about the fact we had the second-best defensive record in the League but we didn’t want the second-best, we wanted the best, so we needed clean sheets. We only had two but now we’ve doubled that with two in a row so, fair play to them, they’ve answered me and that keeps me quiet for a few days anyway.”

Though he was reluctant to single out individuals after another fine team display, the Manager took little coercion to toast the glowing contribution from McDonagh, who was substituted in the immediate aftermath of his goal after making a hefty collision with a post.

“Jamie does what Jamie does,” he added.

“He’s got another two assists under his belt and a goal of his own, which was well earned. He showed great determination and desire to get on the scoresheet and has put his body on the line to get us that insurance goal and put the game to bed at 3-0.

“The quality of his delivery from wide areas, I don’t think it’s rivalled in this division. The number of assists Jamie’s got already is phenomenal and I think anybody would enjoy playing with Jamie in the form he’s in at the minute and I think Joe – who was never too far away from his best – is in the best form he’s been in during my time here.”

Chris Gallagher joined McDonagh in making an early exit and, while it’s a little early for a prognosis on either, McLaughlin admitted the pair’s fitness will have to be examined ahead of the midweek League Cup quarter-final date with Portadown.

“We may be forced into a couple of changes for Tuesday but we won’t know for definite where we stand until training on Monday night,” he said.

“The games are coming thick and fast so it’ll be no disrespect to the competition with the changes we make, we just don’t want to take chances with players and end up flogging them.”