Paddy dreaming of a silver lining

Paddy McLaughlin says he’d love Cliftonville’s players and supporters alike to celebrate the League Cup as a reward for their dedication throughout the season.

The Reds will be backed by a ferociously passionate crowd during today’s Windsor Park decider with Coleraine and the Manager believes that bringing the trophy back to Solitude for the first time since 2016 would stand his men in good stead going forward.

“Our players and fans have been exceptional all season long and I’d love to see them all rewarded,” he says.

“The squad have put some seriously hard work in from the first minute of pre-season training back in the summer and you just have to come to our games to see what our supporters bring. They’ve been phenomenal for us and it would be great to pay them back with some success.

“Everybody at Cliftonville – be it players, fans, staff, the Board, whoever – is here to make this Club successful and lifting the League Cup could hopefully give us a platform to build on for the future. There’s going to be a huge crowd there, the boys are in good spirits and looking forward to it, but we know it will take a huge effort to beat Coleraine, it always does.

“I don’t know how many times I’ve said this but I’ll say it again and again; Coleraine have one of the very best Managers about and you have to respect and admire everything Oran Kearney has done there over the years. Any win against them has to be hard earned and our players are aware of that, they know they’re coming up against a good side.

“The players are excited about the game and they know they can rely on what sounds like is going to be incredible numbers in terms of the Red Army, but it always comes down to the same thing no matter who you’re playing or what the occasion is – hard work and a willingness to really put the effort in.

“We know we have quality in our side, but so do Coleraine, so it’s important we show our ability and if we do that, then the players have a very good chance of getting rewarded for it.

“They’d love to lift that trophy for our fans and I’d love to see them do it because they’re a really good set of lads who have given this Club absolutely everything this season.”

Supporters information
Admission
This afternoon’s fixture is an all-ticket occasion.

Travel
With heavy traffic expected in the vicinity of Windsor Park, supporters are encouraged to set off for the game earlier than originally planned.

Merchandise
The Reds Shop will be operating a mobile stall at Windsor Park from 1pm.

Entrance
Turnstiles open at 1.30pm, with all fans asked to have tickets ready for scanning upon approach.

Code of Conduct
The use of smoke bombs, flares or pyrotechnics of any kind is strictly prohibited inside Windsor Park and can lead to prosecution, with significant sanctions and fines also placed on our Club. All supporters asked to familiarise themselves with the Irish Football Association’s Spectator Behaviour Protocol before attending the game.

TV Broadcast
Today’s match will be screened live on Sky Sports Football.