'He's a talented boy': Cliftonville coach delight as star striker gets deserved goal rewards for hard yards
Cliftonville assistant manager Gerard Lyttle insists star striker Brian Healy is now getting the rewards his hard work deserves after continuing a purple patch of form by scoring to help the Reds reach another Co Antrim Senior Shield final.
The 22-year-old has five goals in his last three Premiership outings, registering a brace in Saturday’s emphatic 7-1 victory over Carrick Rangers, adding to a strike against Portadown and double in last month’s triumph at Dungannon Swifts.
Healy fired home Cliftonville’s third on Tuesday evening as they defeated Bangor 3-0 in the semi-finals at Solitude.
Joe Sheridan and Ollie Samuels also got their names on the scoresheet during a rampant 27-minute spell for the free-flowing Reds, who will now face either Dundela or Ballymena United in the decider.
During a six-game losing league run between September 12 and October 17, Cliftonville scored just two goals – they failed to find the net in four of those matches – but have now roared back into top form.
Jim Magilton’s side have struck 14 times in their last four matches across all competitions with Healy leading the way.
Former H&W Welders striker Healy (seven) sits behind only Coleraine star Matthew Shevlin (eight) on the Premiership’s goalscoring charts this term and will have his sights set on more when the Reds host reigning champions Larne on Friday night.
Lyttle insists Healy’s golden run is no coincidence with the ex-Newry City youngster putting in the hard yards on the training pitch.
"He’s absolutely flying,” said Lyttle. “Brian's got his head down and he's worked so hard, to be fair to him.
"There's a lot of Brian's game that he obviously needs to work on and he’s doing that.
“He's asking questions and we're doing a bit more with him in terms of his link-up play, his hold-up play, his aggressiveness around the box and working around the box as a centre forward.
"It's been a big step up for Brian but he's grabbed it and he's a talented, talented boy and I’m glad he’s doing so well.
"He's gone through a wee rough patch there and he's now scoring and playing with a massive smile on his face, which is good to see.”
Cliftonville have now reached five cup finals under manager Magilton, who was appointed in 2023, winning one of their two Irish Cup showpiece deciders alongside celebrating BetMcLean Cup success against Glentoran.
The Reds were beaten on penalties by Carrick Rangers in last season’s Senior Shield final as Stephen Baxter’s side claimed a first senior title in 33 years.