CLIFTONVILLE
David Odumosu: Suffered injury and forced to withdraw before the break but dealt well with everything in a testing opening half hour. 7
Shea Kearney: Incredible first season for the former academy player. Supreme fitness levels and did well against Cooper. 7
Sean Stewart: Cat and mouse with Kirk Millar and probably broke even. Some lovely deft touches down the left flank. 7
Patrick Burns: His best game for the Reds. Showed incredible fortitude and composure under pressure. 8.5
Jonny Addis: A cult hero. Defended brilliantly at times and led the Reds through stormy times. 8
Odhran Casey: Didn’t let the occasion get to him before suffering a bad injury on the stroke of half-time. 7
Conor Pepper: Celebrating his 30th birthday, Pepper doesn’t necessarily build the play but his energy and ability to break up play were first class. 7.5
Ronan Doherty: On big days, you need calmness on the ball. Superb final even though he was running on empty in extra-time. 8
Rory Hale: The best player in the Irish League. When others were struggling in the first half, it was Hale who steadied them. Brilliant assist for his side’s first goal Wonderful final. 9
Sam Ashford: Fully justified his inclusion despite a heavily strapped knee. Worked himself to a standstill and headed Cliftonville level. 8
Ronan Hale: His pre-goal celebrations for Cliftonville’s third at the death is already the indelible image of this final. At the double, with his first goal an absolute screamer. 8.5
Subs:
Nathan Gartside: To come in cold to a cup final as he did before half-time and play as he did was hugely impressive. 8
Luke Kenny: A huge ask to come into the Reds defence and never put a foot wrong. 7.5
Chris Curran: Walks off into retirement an Irish Cup winner and club legend. Brilliant midfield shift. 8.5
Stephen Mallon: Defended so well and was very productive in possession too. 7.5
Ben Wilson: A livewire. His speed and trickery were immense. 7.5
Shea Gordon: His energy and tackling were vital in extra-time. 7.5
LINFIELD
Chris Johns: Forced to push up as Linfield chased a late equaliser. Not overly extended and was beaten by two quality finishes. 7.5
Kirk Millar: He always posed a threat right to Linfield’s last breath. 7.5
Joel Cooper: If Linfield were going to eke out a leveller, Cooper was the most likely candidate. Some wonderful trickery. 8
Daniel Finlayson: Lost his footing for Ronan Hale’s screamer but was a steady presence at the heart of the Linfield defence. 7
Chris Shields: One of the best in the Irish League. A couple of stray passes which are collector’s items these days. Didn’t sense Ashford for Cliftonville’s equaliser. 7.5
Ben Hall: Had plenty of trouble minding Ronan Hale. Some brave-hearted defending but was undone by Hale for his first goal. 7
Jamie Mulgrew: Brilliant in the opening half hour and never misplaced a pass for the 77 minutes he was on the field. 7
Kyle McClean: Outstanding talent who has lit up the Irish League this season. He was well blotted out by the Reds midfield though. 7
Ethan McGee: Brilliantly timed run to head Linfield in front but didn’t affect the game after that. 7
Matthew Fitzpatrick: Generally well marshalled as the game wore on but looked a real threat in the opening half. 7
Chris McKee: Had some very good moments before running out of gas in the last quarter in normal time. 7
Subs:
Joshua Archer: Neat and tidy and added more energy. 6.5
Braiden Graham: Didn’t get any change out of the Reds defence but service wasn’t great either. 6
Matthew Clarke: Some excellent passes left to right but couldn’t break down the Reds. 6.5
Jordan Stewart: His renowned trickery didn’t trouble the Reds. 6
