Sheer elation: Magilton

Jim Magilton toasted the “guts and character” Cliftonville showed to win yesterday’s Clearer Water Irish Cup sixth round clash with Glenavon – and says the Red Army must drive the team to produce more of the same as the season progresses.

After falling behind to a Luke McGerrigan strike, the Reds levelled when Joe Gormley scrambled home shortly after emerging from the bench but the dismissal of Sean Robertson for a second bookable offence threatened to heighten their task before Jonny Addis thundered in a sensational injury-time blast from distance.

“It’s sheer elation,” reflected Magilton, whose side were handed a trip to Loughgall in the quarter-final draw.

“When that ball nestles in the top corner, knowing there’s very little time to play, the whole place erupted – the fans, the players, everybody. You can never describe scoring a goal and winning a game in that manner. It’s a wonderful moment.

“It was probably a bit harsh on Glenavon, who I thought were very good, but to win the game and go through shows the spirit and determination of the group.”

Assessing the game as a whole, he added: “The first-half was iffy from our point of view, although we did get off to a really bright start; Brian (Healy) probably should score.

“We didn’t take that opportunity and, as the game went on in the first-half, I thought Glenavon dominated.

“If that one goes in from Brian, literally in the first move of the game, then it’s a different game.

“You never think you’re as bad or as good when you’re watching back. We were bad last week, there’s no getting away from that, and I was critical of the players because that’s not how they represent themselves when they come into this Club. They train so well and to put on a performance like that was really poor and I was very critical of them.

“This week, the fans stayed with us. The supporters were amazing and that’s what matters most. We’re going to have them with us from now to the end of the season, but we have to give something back.

“The guts and the character and everything that they showed to win a game of football, we’re going to need that from now to the end of the season.”

One player whose attitude exemplified the kind of qualities that the Manager wants to see more of was captain Rory Hale, who emerged from the bench to produce an inspirational display in a contest that kicked off in the aftermath of a minute’s silence in memory of his grandfather, former Cliftonville striker Danny Hale.

“We have to pay special tribute to Rory,” added Magilton.

“He lost his grandad, who he was very, very close to. That isn’t easy but he wanted to be part of the group, he wanted to play a part and he certainly did. He showed real quality when he came on the pitch.”