Ready to seize the Har

Jamie McDonagh has revealed that he and his team-mates are motivated to do well for Declan O’Hara.

Cliftonville’s Interim Manager commenced his tenure in last week’s 3-3 draw with Crusaders and, as the Reds prepare to bring the curtain down on their Danske Bank Premiership commitments when they host Linfield at Solitude tomorrow night (5.30pm), McDonagh says O’Hara’s love for the Club has given the players additional focus.

“Decky is Cliftonville through and through,” says the 26-year-old.

“He loves the Club and, as a player, you really want to do well for him.

“That’s important that we just don’t want to do well for ourselves, we want to do well for him because he has got so much pride and he loves the Club just as much as anyone I know.

“It was important that we showed Decky that we want to play for him and get a result for him. He spoke and said how proud he was after the week we had. It’s nice to do well for someone who loves the Club – and he loves every single player. He’s the type of assistant who gets on with the players and always has a laugh. It’s good that we play for him and try to repay him and try to help him as much as we can.”

You can read the full McDonagh interview in tomorrow’s edition of our Matchday Magazine, which will be on sale at Solitude for £3.

Carrying Declan O’Hara’s pre-match views from the Manager’s Office, The Red Eye’s 26th issue of the campaign looks at the simple equation facing the Blues and steps 17, 44 and 151 years down memory lane – plus plenty more besides.

Cliftonville v Linfield
Saturday, April 29
Adults: £12
Concessions: £8
Tickets: Here
Members Tickets and Season Tickets valid

Matchday Partners
Match Sponsor: Kevin Hannon
Matchball Sponsor: Island Events