Danske Bank Irish Premiership
JOE ‘The Goal’ Gormley may have hit 250 career goals last weekend – but the Cliftonville striker didn’t think twice about reaching the historic milestone and was more disappointed with the Reds failing to bank the win against Glenavon.
Gormley came off the bench to put Cliftonville 2-0 up but the Lurgan Blues battled back to claim a share of the spoils.
It leaves Paddy McLaughlin’s men five points off the pace Glentoran have set as they make the short cross-town trip to Linfield this evening.
“Going into last Saturday’s game I knew I was on 249 but when I did score I hadn’t realised that there was an announcement,” said Gormley.
“It was only afterwards my partner told me because all I heard was my name, I didn’t hear anything else. And since Saturday my phone hasn’t stopped with people congratulating me. Maybe when I stop playing, I’ll probably sit back and think: ‘Jeez, that was some going’.
“But, to be honest, I was more annoyed at the result as we were leading 2-0 so milestones, are as good as they are, it was the last thing on my mind after drawing 2-2.”
Gormley broke Kevin McGarry’s long-standing goal record of 170 four seasons ago and continues to find the net for his local club.
The Ardoyne native, who turns 33 later this month, has had to content himself with a place on the Cliftonville bench for many games this season, with Ryan Curran and Ronan Hale nailing starts in the Reds attack.
“I’m not getting any younger and I’d like to play as many games as I can but that’s Paddy’s decision at the end of the day,” said Gormley.
“All I can do when I get my chance is score a couple of goals which I’m sent on to do and that’ll maybe keep me on the pitch. But it’s the manager’s decision and I respect that.”
The Reds have lost two and drawn two from their opening 12 league games this season which sees them sitting in fourth place, but Gormley feels they have the quality in their ranks to mount a title challenge.
“We certainly do think we can challenge. There is quality right through the team, you look at our bench and you look at the players who aren’t even in the squad is frightening, but we can't afford to be dropping points like we did on Saturday.”
McLaughlin will be without Odhran Casey for tonight’s Linfield clash after he was sent off during last Saturday’s game against Glenavon.
Pace-setters Glentoran face a potentially tricky assignment this evening in preserving their unbeaten start to the campaign with an away trip to Glenavon who will be buoyed by their fightback at Solitude last weekend.
Hot on their heels are Larne, who recovered well from their 4-0 thrashing at the hands of the Glens to inflict a 4-1 loss on Crusaders, should bag another three points at home to Dungannon Swifts who are struggling at the foot of the table with only one win in 13 attempts.
Elsewhere, Carrick Rangers will be hoping to end their three-match losing streak against rock bottom Portadown at Taylor’s Avenue while Crusaders will be keen to bounce back from last Friday’s night’s 4-1 defeat to Larne against Coleraine at Ballycastle Road.
Newry boss Darren Mullen was furious with his side’s 3-0 surrender against Ballymena United last Friday night - and will be demanding a lot more against the same opposition at the Newry Showgrounds this evening.
Danske Bank Irish Premiership fixtures: Carrick Rangers v Portadown, Coleraine v Crusaders, Glenavon v Glentoran, Larne v Dungannon Swifts, Linfield v Cliftonville, Newry City v Ballymena United (7.45pm kick-offs)
