The stuff of legends: Paddy

Paddy McLaughlin says he feels lucky to have been able to call upon legends in Cliftonville’s hour of need yesterday.

The Reds trailed 2-0 to Coleraine in the League Cup Final but, with captain Chris Curran starting to pull the strings in the middle of the park, fellow substitute Joe Gormley sparked a comeback with a 74th minute header before Paul O’Neill – another arrival from the bench – forced extra-time with a late, late leveller.

O’Neill and Gormley both netted again in the ensuing 30 minutes and, though Curtis Allen struck a consolation for the Bannsiders, the party was already well and truly under way in the North and Kop Stands.

“I was thinking was this going to be a sad story, one of those disappointing days on the big stage,” admits McLaughlin.

“We decided to just go for it. We created chances and Joe did what Joe does, he scores. Blink your eyes and he’s gone, that’s how dangerous he is. 

“When Paul and Joe came on, it was just what we needed – and also the captain’s influence. It was what the game was crying out for. 

“The team was on its knees, we needed them badly and they delivered.

“It was an incredible response from the players to come back the way they did. You’re 2-0 down in a Cup Final, you’re looking at the clock and it hasn’t been your day. 

“The character and resilience they showed to get back in the game was incredible. So much has been said about the players but you’ll never beat this team for heart and desire – you couldn’t put a price on that.  

“There’s no one in our League who can match that and that’s what got us over the line. We are very blessed to have these kinds of players. I’m leaving out boys like Jamie Harney and Seanna Foster. Jamie has been one of our best players in the past few years but the bar has been raised but everyone contributes. 

“There are legends of this Club we have been able to turn to in Chris Curran and Joe and we are so blessed to have them to call on.

“They will be legends of the Club forever and I am so lucky to have them to turn to when things are not going our way. You don’t understand what it means to the players in there to have these boys around them.”

The boss also had words of praise for the supporters who backed the players to the hilt.

“It was an unbelievable feeling seeing that many Cliftonville fans,” he added.

“Even in the warm-up, they were there and you could see the excitement. But coming out for the kick-off was amazing. They are the best fans in the country and they’ve proved that time and time again.

“The last couple of home games have pretty much been sold out and they can make it an intimidating atmosphere for any opposition.

“Fair play to them, they played a huge part in that game. It wasn’t just the boys who started and the subs, the fans were huge for us. I just hope they understand that because the players appreciate everything.”