Limavady United manager Paul Owens heaped praise on Irish Cup goal hero Ryan McNickle after the striker sealed a famous 1-0 victory over Linfield – a result which left his boss “a little emotional”.

McNickle earned a move to top-flight Ballymena United last summer after scoring 20 goals for Championship outfit Newry City, but struggled for opportunities at The Showgrounds.

The 26-year-old, who also showed his goalscoring prowess at Lisburn Distillery, had played just five times in the Premiership this term, netting a maiden goal against Carrick Rangers in October.

In search of more minutes, McNickle made a loan switch to Championship leaders Limavady last month and has wasted no time in writing his name into the club’s history books.

placeholder image — Limavady United manager Paul Owens with his son after an Irish Cup win over Linfield. (Photo by Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press)

McNickle’s long-range effort has sent the Roesiders into the Irish Cup’s last-eight and they’ll discover their opponents following Saturday’s fixture list.

The ex-Wellington Rec ace hadn’t made a senior appearance since October before joining Limavady after suffering a broken collarbone while playing for Ballymena against Glentoran, but Owens is thrilled to see him back to his best.

"I am delighted for Ryan," he told BBC Sport NI. "He has been out for 16 weeks.

"I had a conversation about him coming in the summer and it was too much travel but with our strong position and him returning from injury, it fit well for him to come.

"He had one big moment tonight and he took it."

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Friday’s win over reigning top-flight champions Linfield continues what has been a magical time for Limavady, who lifted the Premier Intermediate League title in 2024.

They finished fourth in their first season back in the Championship last term and are in a strong position to seal a Premiership return this season.

Owens has enjoyed success throughout his young coaching career, but the Limavady chief admits their most recent result tops it all.

"Someone asked me if it was the highlight of my career and it probably is," he added. "We won the league a few years ago and it was great to get the kids out, but you saw at the final whistle with the stadium full of Limavady fans, it is a win that will live long in the memory and one we fully deserved.

"I'm a bit emotional about it. I am immensely proud of the whole group and the whole club in general. We have made massive strides over the last three years."