Davy McDaid hits winner as Cliftonville see off Glentoran to claim Europa League windfall

Striker Davy McDaid on Tuesday night shot Cliftonville into the Europa League - and earned the club a financial bonanza.
Cliftonvilles David McDaid pictured after scoring the winner against GlentoranCliftonvilles David McDaid pictured after scoring the winner against Glentoran
Cliftonvilles David McDaid pictured after scoring the winner against Glentoran

The former Derry City man hit a priceless winner for the Gerard Lyttle’s team in a night of sheer drama at Solitude.

This first ever Europa League play-off was a tremendous advertisement for Irish League football. Little wonder Lyttle punched the air with delight at the finish - his team had just been guaranteed a 200,000 Euro windfall!.

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Four goals; three dismissals; a missed penalty kick and a mass brawl that involved every player on the pitch was the ingredients for a night of high drama in north Belfast.

Jay Donnelly headed the Reds in front, but Glentoran replied through Curtis Allen and Jay Magee. Cliftonville lost goalkeeper Conor Devlin for his part in the brawl along with Glentooran’s Chris Lavery.

James Knowles levelled after the Glens were reduced to nine men following the dismissal of Barry Holland. McDaid then produced his masterclass finish 10 minutes from time.

Cliftonville roared into the lead on 11 minutes. Donnelly flicked a James Knowles corner kick against the crossbar but the striker reacted quickly to head home the rebound.

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Devlin then gave Elliott Morris a nervy moment when his long clearance completely deceived the Glens keeper, but the ball flashed a yard wide.

Glentoran were level on 16 minutes in literally their first attack. Danny McKee was flattened by Fra Brennan 25 yards out and Allen stepped up to crash an unstoppable free kick into the top corner.

Kernaghan’s side were in dreamland on 28 minutes when Magee sent the big army of fans into raptures. He rose high to meet a Lavery corner kick to power the ball home, in spite of a desperate attempt from George McMullan to clear off the line.

Cliftonville went in search of an equaliser and were possibly right out of luck just before the break when another Devlin punt down the middle appeared to be cleared by the hand of Magee, but referee Raymond Crangle wasn’t impressed.

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The game then exploded for all the wrong reasons after Mr Crangle’s half-time whistle. It began with Allen tangling with Jamie McGovern in the centre of the pitch, which resulted a ‘free-for-all’ involving ever player on view - and the substitutes.

It resulted in Lavery and Devlin being dismissed in the dressing room during the break.

But the Glens looked to have self-destructed just five minutes after the interval.

Stephen Garrett was sent clear by Daniel Hughes and just as he was about the shoot, he was hauled down by a desperate lunge from Barry Holland.

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Mr Crangle flashed yet another red card in the direction of the defender, but the Reds failed to take full advantage as Donnelly’s spot kick was saved by Morris.

Amazingly, the Reds were awarded another penalty on 61 minutes when Knowles’ cross came off the hand of Allen.

Knowles took on the responsibility and this time gave Morris no chance with a low drive into the bottom corner.

Morris then produced a wonder save to prevent Donnelly shooting the Reds in front, but he had no chance with McDaid’s effort 10 minutes from time.

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The former Derry City man tried his luck from distance and was mobbed by his delighted team mates when his shot fizzed past the finger tips of Morris.

Cliftonville: Devlin, McGovern, Flynn (McDaid 67), Knowles, McMullan, Garrett, Murray (Burke 46), Brennan, Catney, J Donnelly Hughes (M Donnelly 92).

Unused subs: Curran, Winchester.

Glentoran: Morris, Holland, McCullough, Magee (Gibson 65), Addis, Nelson (Cafolla 80), Scullion (Gordon 58), Lavery, McKee, Allen, Caldwell.

Unused subs: Hogg, Patton.

Referee: R Crangle (Belfast).