Cliftonville star Joe Gormley thanks Rory Hale for classy Irish Cup gesture after Linfield victory

Hale, who was named Man of the Match, wore the captain’s armband on Saturday afternoon with club skipper Chris Curran on the bench, but the 27-year-old insisted on handing trophy lifting duties over to the retiring midfielder and Reds record scorer Gormley.

Gormley has been part of three Cliftonville sides that have lost in Irish Cup finals – the most recent of which was in 2017/18 – and although he didn’t get off the bench in this season’s decider, his immense pride in ending the club’s 45-year wait for competition success was just as strong.

The occasion was capped off by hoisting the famous trophy aloft in front of the Reds faithful and he thanked Hale for his selfless act.

"I wasn't expecting to lift the trophy,” he said. “Chris is club captain and Rory was captain on the day. Rory, the man he is, came over to me and said 'Joe, I want you and Chris to lift the trophy'.

"I asked him if he was sure and it was an honour. I appreciate him even saying that to me, but that's just Rory Hale in a nutshell saying he wanted us two to lift it. I wasn't going to refuse it! Fair play to the man he is and he's a credit to this club, his family and Cliftonville."

On asking Gormley and Curran to lift the trophy, Hale said: "Them two men have gave their lives to Cliftonville. The man didn't even get on the pitch today and he was the first one celebrating and congratulating everybody.

"They are two legends of the football club and done way more for it than me. If I do half of what those two men have achieved I'll be doing alright for myself, so it was just the right thing to do."

Gormley watched on as Ethan McGee’s first-half header was cancelled out by Sam Ashford before Ronan Hale’s extra time brace helped seal victory and the 34-year-old predicted two years ago that a feat like this was on the horizon.

"First-half I thought Linfield were a bit better, but when the lads came out in the second-half they were outstanding,” he added. “That's been all year round...I said to the boys before the match that they're a credit to the community, to their families and the people that play for this team.

"I've personally never been prouder of a group of lads...it's amazing. It came up on my Facebook memories the other day from two years ago that I posted that this team is one to look out for and there you go.

"This trophy hasn't been near Solitude in 45 years, but there are a few boys in the changing room that haven't even been waiting six months to win the trophy...I've been waiting 13 years! My wee lad is two weeks old and he's already seen it which is crazy! Credit to Rory and the boys - they are something else."