'He was excellent': Jim Magilton praise as Cliftonville teenager shines on senior debut
Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton praised an “excellent” senior debut showing from teenager Cillian Murray in their 4-0 Senior Shield triumph over Knockbreda on Tuesday – declaring he “comes alive and makes other people come alive”.
The 16-year-old starred for Co Down’s Premier squad during this summer’s SuperCupNI, scoring in wins against Co Tyrone and Derby County.
Murray was prolific for Cliftonville’s U16 and U18 teams last season – he netted 28 goals in 30 matches across league and cup competitions for the former and struck 10 times in 23 U18 Academy League games.
He made the step up to U20 level at the start of this season and has already registered his first goal, scoring in a 4-1 Steel & Sons Cup win over Carrick Rangers Reserves last month.
Murray was rewarded for his form with a senior call-up from Magilton and impressed in Tuesday’s win as the Reds secured progression thanks to braces from Joe Gormley and Liam McStravick.
He was joined in the starting line-up by fellow 16-year-old Matthew Belshaw with the goalkeeper registering a clean sheet at Solitude.
Magilton was full of praise for Murray’s performance and felt the teenage attacker was unfortunate to not celebrate the occasion with a goal.
“It was nice that Cillian Murray made his debut,” said Magilton on the club’s website. “He’s had an outstanding summer, so we thought this game was a really good opportunity for him to come and play.
"I thought he was excellent – lots of good things, great maturity in his play, he comes alive and makes other people come alive.
“He was probably unfortunate not to nick a a goal but, overall, I’m really pleased with him, I’m really pleased that players got minutes.
“You have to applaud the attitude and the intensity the players played at tonight. That was kind of the message going out and they carried that out.”