Sports Direct Premiership: Newry City 1 Cliftonville 2
Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton praised the dogged determination and sublime skill of centre back Jonny Addis as he scored twice to break Newry City’s hearts on Saturday and claim an invaluable three points for the title chasers.
The Reds went 1-0 down to the bottom-placed side after an Adam Salley goal just two minutes into the game, and although Addis scored a screamer from 30 yards early in the second half, it looked like the visitors would have to settle for a point.
That was until deep into stoppage time, when Ronan Hale teed him Addis who controlled the ball and fired it into the roof of the Newry net, sending the away supporters into ecstasy.
Furthermore, Addis was dealt the devastating news of his grandmother’s passing on Saturday morning, making his heroic display all the more remarkable.
“Jonny deserves all the plaudits, because I think he has been fantastic for us all season,” said Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton at full-time.
“The first goal is a wonderful strike, which we know he possesses.
“Then the second one is probably even better given the context of the game.
“To have the composure to take it on his chest and rifle it into the top corner was fantastic, and the scenes at the end were just magnificent.
“Someone from up above was looking down on him and smiling on him. Our thoughts and prayers are with him. I didn’t know that (his grandmother had passed away), but it sums up the man that he is.
“I’m delighted with the result, but within the context of family, that’s the most important thing.”
Newry City – who began a new era under manager Barry Gray, as he took charge of his first league game since taking over from Gary Boyle in early January – defended valiantly all game and were left feeling as though they deserved something out of it.
They also felt aggrieved regarding two officiating decisions, which Gray believes went unfairly against his side.
Ciaran O’Connor was shown a straight red card at the end of the first half for a reckless challenge on Ronan Hale, and Addis’s winner came in the 97th minute after the referee Evan Boyce had already played the allotted six minutes at the end of the game.
“I think the officials got what they wanted tonight, which was a Cliftonville win,” fumed Gray.
“I’m happy to say if I’m wrong, but I don’t agree with the red card.
“The fourth official and the linesman both called it, and it was right in front of me, I couldn’t have had a better view of it.
“If I’m wrong, I’m wrong, but I don’t agree with that decision.
“And I don’t know for the life of me where the six minutes of overtime came from in the second half.
“Let’s just keep it the rolling the best way that we can, so that Cliftonville can have the best chance that they can get to win the game.
“It’s a wee bit frustrating, but I certainly won’t be the only manager who has thoughts and feelings like that.
“It’s clear to see that not much has changed since the last time I was managing at this level.”
However, Gray felt the biggest talking point from the game was the excellent display from his team.
“Listen, this isn’t the referee’s show,” said Gray.
“We were well worth something out of the game today, and the focus should stay primarily on us as a team.
“Today, we looked like a team that’s hungry to stay in the league, and we can keep those levels of performance like we had today consistent, then we will stay in it.”
NEWRY: Mitchell, King (Moan 44), Healy, McGivern, McKeown, O’Connor, Salley, Ball (Mooney 90+4), Scullion, Poynton, Doyle (P McGovern 76).
Subs not used: Maguire, Martin, Newell, Owens.
CLIFTONVILLE: Odumosu, Stewart, Addis, Curran (Wylie 76), Rory Hale, Doherty, Casey (Gormley 65), Turner, Ronan Hale, Kearney, Wilson.
Subs not used: Gartside, Pepper, Kenny, Jordan, McGuinness.
Referee: Evan Boyce