Forward role

Though Ryan Curran scored both goals, Paddy McLaughlin saluted the contribution of Cliftonville’s entire frontline in yesterday’s win over Dungannon Swifts.

Curran netted in either half to bank full points at Stangmore Park, where McLaughlin was just as impressed with what Joe Gormley and Ronan Hale brought to the table.

“Ryan has been brilliant for us,” he said.

“Him, Joe and Ronan have been working really well together. They are linking up well and they are sharing the goals amongst themselves.

“There’s usually responsibility on Joe’s shoulders and I think the two boys have also contributed really well this year along with him.”

As well as being pleased with the victory, McLaughlin acknowledged his players’ response to last Saturday’s frustrating home draw with Glenavon.

“We were disappointed that we dropped two points but we knew that wasn’t the end of the world,” he added.

“There will be a lot of bumps along the way for all teams and that is all we treated it as – a bump in the road that slowed us down.

“We quickly recovered and gathered momentum against Linfield on Tuesday night and continued it on against Dungannon.”