Goalden celebration

Paddy McLaughlin felt it only appropriate that Joe Gormley should mark his 33rd birthday by returning to the scoresheet.

The striker put the seal on yesterday’s 2-0 victory over Newry City when he touched home from close range after being teed up by substitute Sean Moore at the end of a slick move that also involved Chris Gallagher and Ronan Hale.

Though Cliftonville have enjoyed a rewarding last few weeks, McLaughlin admitted that Gormley bore some personal frustration at not having found the net since a 2-2 draw with Glenavon earlier in the month.

“Sean Moore showed great maturity in squaring the pass to Joe Gormley for a tap-in,” said the Manager.

“If he takes the strike on and misses it or the keeper saves it – which, in the form he was in, there’s every chance he could have – it’s a nervous ending to the game and you never know what can happen. But Sean showed great awareness to play the pass and let Joe put the game to bed.

“Fair play to Joe, it’s his birthday too so we’re delighted for him to have scored. Joe’s playing well for us and has led the line brilliantly over the last few weeks. I think he’s been a bit annoyed that he hasn’t been scoring goals, but his performances have been superb.”

On the game itself – which saw Ryan Curran break the deadlock in the first-half – McLaughlin added: “We’ve played Newry three times in the last month-and-a-half and they’re a good team who know our strengths and weaknesses, so to have won all three games is very pleasing because they’re definitely a side that can hurt you.

“It was important that we won to stay in touch with the teams at the top and, as ever, three points and a clean sheet is always a good afternoon’s work.”