Ronan Hale proves to be Cliftonville's Irish Cup hero as Reds end 45-year wait for glory with victory over Linfield

Their supporters will talk about Ronan Hale – the cup final hero of 2023/24 after his extra-time brace secured a dramatic 3-1 victory over Linfield at Windsor Park, adding to six goals throughout the run to this point.

It’s also a day that Jim Magilton will remember. On the same afternoon Ipswich Town were promoted to the Premier League – a club which inducted the ex-Northern Ireland international into their Hall of Fame last summer – he celebrated a maiden trophy success as manager and booked his spot in Solitude folklore.

They were never going to have it all their own way with the weight of history bearing down – the demons of 1997, 2009, 2013 and 2018 still present at the South Belfast venue – and fell behind to Ethan McGee’s 14th-minute header while losing goalkeeper David Odumosu and Odhran Casey to first-half injuries.

Sam Ashford put them back on level terms shortly after the break, glancing home from Rory Hale’s pinpoint cross and less than 60 seconds into extra-time, Ronan Hale cut in from the left and fired a stunning effort past a diving Johns before tapping in his second in the dying moments.

This success also bears significant similarities to their 1979 triumph, beating Coleraine, Portadown, Larne and Linfield along the way – just like they did 45 years ago.

The Blues made a fast start with Chris McKee forcing Odumosu into an early low save from close range and Joel Cooper then had an effort which was deflected into the goalkeeper’s grasp.

They got their reward in the 14th minute as McGee climbed above Shea Kearney to powerfully head home from Kirk Millar’s pinpoint cross – making exactly the sort of impact Healy wanted when signing him from Dungannon Swifts in January.

Cliftonville had an opportunity to get back on level terms when captain Rory Hale chipped in a delightful ball to the back post, but Ashford couldn’t catch up with it despite his best efforts.

Jim Magilton was forced into an early substitution with Odumosu helped off the pitch after failing to recover from a challenge with Cooper – bravely sliding out to deny the Blues forward – and he was replaced by Nathan Gartside.

There would be further injury trouble for Cliftonville on the stroke of half-time as Casey, who has been one of their standout players this season, appeared to suffer a serious leg problem and was stretchered off the pitch to applause from both sets of supporters.

Luke Kenny was Casey’s chosen replacement at the break and it took the St Mirren loanee a couple of minutes to get up to pace with the game, allowing Cooper to rob him of the ball before sending in a dangerous ball with Sean Stewart denying Millar a guaranteed goal.

Cliftonville had started the second half much brighter than the first and found their equaliser in the 52nd minute as Ashford’s glanced header from Rory Hale’s pinpoint cross glided into the far corner.

Goalscorer McGee followed his captain Jamie Mulgrew into referee Jamie Robinson’s book for bringing down Rory Hale, and the resulting free-kick almost ended with Jonny Addis heading home, but his effort sailed just wide of the post.

The Blues came within inches of going in front themselves soon after as Cooper cut in from the left and unleashed an effort which sailed just past the post – and just beyond the reach of an oncoming Matthew Fitzpatrick.

Cliftonville made a dream start to extra-time as Ronan Hale received Ben Wilson’s pass before slamming beyond Johns – adding to a fifth-round hat-trick against Coleraine, sixth-round brace versus Loughgall and semi-final strike in victory over Larne.

Ronan Hale doubled his tally in the dying seconds, running free with Johns up for a last-ditch Linfield corner, having the freedom of Windsor Park to tap home in front of the jubilant Reds fans.

Victory also seals their spot in the second qualifying round of the Europa Conference League next season – a feat which is worth €350,000 to the North Belfast club.

CLIFTONVILLE: Odumosu (Gartside, 37), Pepper (Curran, 87), Stewart (Mallon, 72), Addis, Rory Hale (Gordon, 107), Doherty, Burns, Ashford (Wilson, 87), Casey (Kenny, 46), Ronan Hale, Kearney.

Subs (not used): Gormley.

LINFIELD: Johns, Finlayson (Stewart, 96), Shields, Millar, McClean, Cooper, Hall, McKee (Graham, 77), Mulgrew (Archer, 77), McGee (Clarke, 90+3), Fitzpatrick (Annett, 106).

Subs (not used): Walsh, Doherty.

Man of the Match: Rory Hale (Cliftonville)

Referee: Jamie Robinson.