County Antrim Shield semi-final: Cliftonville v Glentoran (tonight, 7.45pm)
CLIFTONVILLE’S record goal-scorer Joe Gormley says he is “loving every minute” of life playing under Paddy McLaughlin as the Irish League leaders prepare to take on Glentoran in tonight’s County Antrim Shield semi-final.
The Reds will host the Glens at Solitude for tonight’s game and Gormley is buzzing about a campaign which has promised so much so far. Last Saturday, Ruaidhrí Donnelly’s goal against Ballymena ensured they replaced Coleraine at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership as the Bannsiders lost at Warrenpoint.
“It’s been great so far, to be fair,” said Gormley.
“Paddy is second to none and I think he’s absolutely class. I’m loving every minute playing under him, [coaching staff] Brian Donaghy, Decky O’Hara and Conleth [McCrudden]. It’s unreal.
“I think everything Paddy’s been asking us to do, we’ve been doing it, but it’s a long season and we’re just taking each game as it comes.
“Every time you play a game, you want to win and the more games you win, the more confidence the players have in the people around them and you just want to keep pushing on and giving a good account of yourself.”
Gormley recently surpassed the 200 goal mark for Cliftonville with a hat-trick against Dungannon Swifts and he is again top of the Danske Bank Premiership scoring charts with 13 goals so far this season. However, the Ardoyne man has been in good company, with goals coming from throughout the squad at Solitude in 2019.
“It takes the pressure off myself. The players in our team are quality and there’s goals all round it,” he added.
“Sometimes, you look to the likes of Ryan Curran or Ruaidhrí Donnelly and then sometimes the centre backs come up with vital goals when you’re not a your best. On Saturday, I didn’t think we played too well, but I’m just glad that Ruaidhrí was there and he could finish the chance that he got.”
As for tonight, Gormley is wary of facing a Glentoran side who are unbeaten in the league since a 1-0 defeat to Cliftonville at the start of October, but he is aware of the momentum an early season cup final can bring with it.
“They’re [Glentoran] a great side,” he said.
“I think in the last few games, they’ve been playing great and it looks to be a good tie. I’m looking forward to it.
“Anything you’re involved in, you want to win. I remember the first trophy I won when Tommy Breslin took over – it was the County Antrim Shield – and we kicked on to win two league titles and I think it was four League Cups. So to win any trophy is always great to push us on and hopefully we can progress tomorrow and go on and win it.”
In tonight’s other semi-final, Ballymena United host Harland & Wolff Welders at the Showgrounds.
