Chaplain’s Irish Cup reflections

As we approach the final days of UEFA’s 2023/24 football calendar, Cliftonville’s Club Chaplain, Reverend Dario Leal, has penned a memorandum of reflection on an historic end to a memorable season at Solitude.

Celebrating the Reds’ Irish Cup success, he notes not only the contribution of the players who brought the Club’s 45 year wait for success in the competition to a glorious end, but also those teams and staff that went so close in campaigns gone by and urges them to share in the joy our supporters experienced on that unforgettable afternoon at Windsor Park.

Irish Cup reflections

It is still fresh in my mind. The cross from the right and Sam heading the ball inside the net. I jumped up, shouted, embraced George, and hope was restored. They battled, they ran, never giving up. I sat at the edge of my seat and yelled at the referee; I was nervous, and we were the better team.

Then the magic happened. Ben passed the ball, and Ronan scored one of the best goals I have seen him score. At the end of the second-half of extra time… you know the story. I looked around and some long-standing Board members were in tears, with their hands on their faces, soaking everything in. We are Irish Cup Champions.

You were there, or you watched on TV; I was there, thanking God for the gift of sport, friendship, and the opportunity to witness history being rewritten.

This changing moment in history was also embraced by those who had tried before and failed. They carried the scars and the disappointments of being so close and with no rewards. This was also their moment, their victory; they were also Champions.

The day before the game, I just happened to meet a former player known by the entire Cliftonville family. He was so excited that he made me believe that he was going to play on Saturday. That same day, I went to get my ticket at Solitude, and I met some of the players; their calmness, temperance and determination to win assured me that Saturday was going to be a day never to be forgotten.

Forgotten is a sad word, but not now and not for us.

Standing there watching our players and coaching staff receiving their medals and holding the Irish Cup high and tight, a divine sense of thankfulness descended on me and much joy. I was thankful for this story-making moment and grateful for those who tried and couldn’t hold the Cup. I was there when we lost against Coleraine and witnessed the sadness of a group of men who wanted to change history but couldn’t. The fourth of May became their victory day; this moment was theirs, too.

For those who wanted to be there but couldn’t, for those who are no longer with us, like Tommy and Freddie, and many others whose hearts and passion for the Reds will never be forgotten, this was their victory, too.

A day that will live forever, a day that was recorded, written and still celebrated. I still watch the game on the BBC iPlayer to remind me that I was there, that you were there, a day when the Reds played the beautiful game with passion, conviction, perseverance, and never giving up. These are the divine attributes we should hold dear and the principles that allow us to carry on and dream big.

Rev Dario Leal
Chaplain, Cliftonville FC
Minister, 1st Ballynahinch Presbyterian Church