MANAGER'S VIEW: 'It's all or nothing' - Cliftonville one step away from third consecutive Irish Cup final
Cliftonville moved one step closer to a third consecutive Irish Cup final as the 2024 winners produced the finishing touch to see off Championship-based Loughgall at Lakeview Park off goals from Keevan Hawthorne, Shaun Leppard and Liam McStravick in a 3-0 quarter-final win.
Here’s the verdict of Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton:
OVERALL PERFORMANCE...
"There is always that potential of a banana skin but we talked about mentality again and application and attitude and that's what today was about.
"They created really good opportunities...on another day it could have been a lot closer.
"We were clinical in that aspect, but Loughgall should be very proud of themselves because of the way they went about their business, the way they played, the opportunities they created.
"We looked as if it was our third game in seven days...we did look a little bit leggy at times but, overall, another semi-final for us and one to look forward to.
"We were just sloppy at times today and I just thought we looked a little bit weary at times...they passed it well and carved us open and created opportunities.
"We were really well prepared for today...I think credit goes to Loughgall for the way and manner in which they did create those chances, so that's credit to them.”
CLIFTONVILLE'S CUP STRENGTH...
"It's the desire to obviously win a game and in the one-off games we've shown that we can compete against anyone and that has been proven over the last two seasons.
"We obviously now face a Premiership side in another semi-final and it's going to be a real tough ask, but one that we look forward to (Magilton was speaking ahead of the draw - which set up a semi-final against Dungannon Swifts).
"The opportunity to play in an Irish Cup final is not bestowed on many and you have to cherish those moments and if we can do it again it would be a fantastic feat.
"There's going to be an opposition who have got an awful lot to say about that, but that would be tremendous."
KNOCKOUT CHALLENGE...
"It's all or nothing. "We've had big moments throughout the cup campaigns (and) instances where we've had to really, really dig in. "And that's what the cup brings...it's the ups, the downs, it's the highs, it's the lows.
"But it's win at all costs. "The players deserve the credit. "The thing about a manager...he facilitates, he lays down tactics and whatever else he has to do.
"But players,, they cross the white line and they win games.
"That's the way it should be and it will always be."