The third degree

Jim Magilton admitted Cliftonville found the going tough in yesterday’s Clearer Water Irish Cup quarter-final victory over Loughgall.

The 3-0 win at Lakeview Park, which came courtesy of goals from Keevan Hawthorne, Shaun Leppard and Liam McStravick, was the latest game in a relentless schedule that continues to ask big questions of the Reds’ squad, and Magilton acknowledged his men had to dig deep to go again.

“That’s our third game in a week and – it’s Loughgall away in the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup, so there’s always that potential of a banana skin,” he said.

“We talked about mentality, application and attitude and that’s what today was about.

“Loughgall created really good opportunities and, on another day, it should and could have been a lot closer. We were clinical in that aspect but Loughgall should be very, very proud of themselves because of the way they went about their business, the way they played and the opportunities they created.”

Having overcome Linfield and Portadown on Sports Direct Premiership duty in the days prior, the Manager was pleased with simply getting the job done by any means this weekend.

“We looked as if it was our third game in seven days, we did look a little bit leggy at times, but overall we’re into another semi-final and it’s one to look forward to,” added Magilton, whose side will tackle Dungannon Swifts in the last-four.

“It takes it out of you. The emotion of a Sunday game, going to Portadown on a Wednesday and then coming here on the Saturday, that can take it out of you. We were well rested between the games but we were really well prepared for today, but credit goes to Loughgall for the manner in which they created those chances.”