Fan-tastic motivation for Jim

Jim Magilton saluted the Red Army for inspiring Cliftonville to BetMcLean Cup glory.

His side got the better of Glentoran courtesy of Joe Gormley’s extra-time strike at a raucous Windsor Park, but it wasn’t just supporters inside the stadium whom Magilton toasted, with special thanks reserved for those who lauded the travelling party at Solitude on the morning of the game.

“I love how we start Cup Final days when we go to our ground and get that send-off, it’s just magnificent,” he said.

“It’s a reminder to the lads that are just in the building that this Club is a special Club that belongs to supporters who absolutely idolise the Club.

“When you get that sort of send-off, it’s inspiring – it should inspire you and I think that’s what it did.”

Magilton also had words of praise for matchwinner Gormley, whose deft touch from Ryan Corrigan’s superb assist got the better of Glens goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai, whose saves from Alex Parsons, Ryan Curran, Shea Gordon and Gormley himself stopped the Reds from making the breakthrough much earlier in the contest.

“It’s all about Joe’s timing, that’s uncoachable,” said the boss.

“His timing in the box is up there with the very best and then he produces that quality finish.

“There are very few people who I have been around in my lifetime who have that. They are geniuses in the box and that’s what he is. In the big games, there are moments that the special players have; there’s a sense of awareness and calmness, everything must stand still for them.

“It’s the quality of the finish that takes it away from the goalkeeper. When you have someone like that, it gives you an added advantage.

“When you’re bringing him on, you just think ‘goal’ if you create enough chances.”