We Dun just enough: Magilton

Jim Magilton admits Cliftonville didn’t have everything their own way in yesterday’s Clearer Water Irish Cup victory over Dundela.

After taking an early lead through Conor Falls, the Reds were repeatedly frustrated in their attempts to build on that advantage until Brian Healy marked his debut with an eye-catching strike.

Sean Robertson, who made his return from a long injury lay-off when he came on at half-time, wrapped things up with a fine free-kick to book progress to a sixth round date with either Glenavon or Newington.

“Dundela were well set up, well organised and very disciplined,” said Magilton.

“When you score early, you’re thinking there’s going to be an onslaught but, unfortunately, that didn’t happen. We credit Dundela for that but, also, we were poor in possession.

“We lacked ambition with the ball at times and, when half-time came, we encouraged the players to be quicker in their thinking and quicker with the ball, and we were better at that in the second-half but, again, Dundela made it very tough for us.

“We’re a little bit disappointed because that’s the second home game in a row where we haven’t really played with the impetus we would have wanted but, overall, we’ve scored three quality goals and it’s all about getting through to the next round.”

The manner of the strikes that secured Cliftonville’s victory won particular acclaim from the boss.

“All three goals were very good,” he added.

“For the first one, it’s a good ball from Shaun Leppard and Conor Falls has work to do but he’s picked it out very well and it’s a really good finish.

“Brian Healy has then given a glimpse of what he’s about with a nice touch and a well-taken shot. He’s obviously in a rich vein of form having scored so many goals in the Championship this season and you can see the confidence he has in the way he’s finished that off.

“Sean Robertson’s free-kick then tops it all off and we’re delighted for Sean because he’s had a hard time over the last few months and it was great for him to get back on the pitch, then to score makes it all the better.”

On the sixth round pairing with the winner of Tuesday night’s tie between Glenavon and Newington, Magilton concluded: “It’ll be tough either way, but we’re pleased to have been drawn at home. That’s all you can ask for, really.”