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BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cliftonville's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 7thPlayer of the season: Joe GormleyAfter the 2023-24 season culminated with the euphoria of ending a 45-year wait for the Irish Cup, Cliftonville hoped to mount a challenge for the league title. Inconsistency prevented that from happening, though, as they finished the regular season in Reds secured the second trophy of the Jim Magilton era by beating Glentoran in the BetMcLean Cup decider and dedicated the win to defender Michael Newberry, who died in May, a penalty shootout Irish Cup final to Dungannon Swifts was a bitter pill to swallow, but after being thrust straight back into action, the north Belfast side secured a spot in Uefa Conference League qualifying with victories over Glentoran and Coleraine in the was a significant season off the pitch, too, as club members voted to accept a takeover proposal from the Toronto Investment Group at an extraordinary general meeting in April. What that brings remains to be seen, but Cliftonville fans will certainly hope 2025-26 produces more silverware and improved league form. 2025-26 signings so far: 2025-26 departures so far: Ruaidhri Donnelly (unattached), Destiny Ojo (unattached), Kris Lowe (Glenavon)
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jim Magilton has simple message for his Cliftonville players as he reflects on his own playing career
Jim Magilton had a simple message for his Cliftonville players after they secured European football for the second year in a row under his leadership. Despite the challenges the Reds have faced this season they finish on a high with qualification to the UEFA Conference League qualifiers secured following their 2-0 play-off win over Coleraine on Sunday to add to the BetMcLean Cup they won earlier in the season. Magilton wants his young charges to embrace playing on the continent again as he did despite it coming late on in his playing career. READ MORE: Rory Hale calls for one final push from Cliftonville to reach European dream READ MORE: KSI warned James McClean would 'do him damage' in a boxing fight 'I didn't play in Europe until I played in the Uefa Cup for Ipswich when I was around 30 and I cherished every second of it,' said the Reds boss. 'I want these lads to cherish every second of it because they so deserved it. They have been in for 10-and-a-half months and it's a long season. They got their just rewards at the end. We were really good, took our chances and it is huge credit to the team.' After ending their long wait for Irish Cup glory last season Cliftonville have had to deal with a lot of challenges this campaign, none more so than the death of Michael Newberry. Magilton was full of praise for his players with how they dealt with everything this season and still produced the goods on the pitch when it mattered. 'It's still probably too soon for reflection,' said Magilton. 'But you go into a season ready and then wallop, you get hit with the devastation around Michael and we had to regroup and get the players back on side and focused. 'People don't really discuss the League Cup Final. We came up against a buoyant Glentoran team but managed to win it. 'We got to a second consecutive Irish Cup Final and lose it on penalties, then we go into the Play-Offs. I make that three Finals in a season and we have won two. We are greedy, we wanted three but it is just magnificent. "Our supporters have come out in their big numbers, and they are so passionate about this club. It is just a magnificent achievement. 'It takes courage to come back from losing a Final. You have to dig really deep to win at Glentoran and then come here where there is massive expectations on both clubs. 'Finals are about winning, and they can go either way. You can play poorly and win it. I wasn't too disheartened; I was very determined. I didn't like the negativity and we galvanised everyone. 'We said 'right, let's go again' and I knew they had it in them to do that. I'm just overwhelmed by it all. I was really emotional after the game because they deserved it." Sign up to our free sports newsletter to get the latest headlines to your inbox
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We lacked conviction' - Magilton on final defeat
Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said his side "didn't do enough to win" as they fell short in their bid to win back-to-back Irish Reds lost out 4-3 in a penalty shootout against Dungannon Swifts after a 1-1 draw after extra Kearney scored a fine goal to equalise after John McGovern had opened the scoring for the Swifts, who had Steven Scott sent off on 70 playing with a man advantage for the end of the second half and extra time, Magilton felt his side failed to make it count."We lacked real conviction today. I just didn't think we had enough about us to go out and win the game and it was a bit hopeful," he said."That's a real disappointment for us, but I want to congratulate Rodney [McAree] and the club, they've done a great job this year."We've got to take it on the chin and move on." 'You can't begrudge Dungannon' Magilton praised the Swifts' display and believes they were worthy winners in the end as they lifted the Irish Cup for the first time."They go down to 10 men and you think you're going to capitalise on that, but Declan [Dunne] had a really good day in goal," he added. "They showed unbelievable character, defensively, I thought they were absolutely outstanding. "If you looked at [Dean] Curry, he hasn't played for, a month, since the semi-final, it's an unbelievable shift he and they put in, so you can't begrudge them, you really can't."The Reds boss was perturbed, however, that a coin toss did not take place to decide which end the penalties would be taken in the spot kicks were taken at the Dungannon end due to an IFA decision, who in a statement said: "The decision was taken based on safety advice in accordance with Law 10.3 of the IFAB Laws of the Game."The law states that: "Unless there are other considerations (e.g. ground conditions, safety etc.), the referee tosses a coin to decide the goal at which the kicks will be taken, which may only be changed for safety reasons or if the goal or playing surface becomes unusable"."I would be amazed if Cliftonville agreed to that, that is pretty amazing, I have never heard that," Magilton said."Did it ultimately cost us the game? No, because that would be taking credit away from Dungannon and we don't want to do that. Would we have liked to be shooting into our end? Yes."It is pretty startling though a penalty shootout being decided on safety measures, what was the security risk, our supporters getting exuberant? I think it is pretty poor if they thought that."If we take the penalty shootout out of it, though, we had to do more, and they were pretty composed with their penalties." 'We need European football' The north Belfast club have endured an incredibly tough season despite winning the BetMcLean Cup in Michael Newberry died suddenly in December with the Cliftonville players again wearing his number five on their jerseys at Windsor Park. The heartbreaking cup final defeat means that the Reds will now compete in the Irish Premiership play-offs for a place in are away to Glentoran in the semi-final on Wednesday night and captain Rory Hale said it is now his job to pick up his devastated team-mates for a massive game."We can't cry over spilt milk, it's over and done with now, but it's very disheartening for myself," he said."I put a lot into this season, and it's been really, really emotional for us."The young players have gone through a lot, the highs of winning a trophy, the lows of, losing a team-mate and finishing in the bottom half of the table, and now another bit of heartbreak for them, to try and cope with."It's up to myself, Jonny Addis and Joe Gormley, to really get these kids motivated again for Wednesday night because we need European football."
Belfast Telegraph
30-04-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Stuart King excited for ‘brilliant prospect' after confirming return to management
Former Linfield, Ballymena United and Glenavon winger King was appointed Carrick Rangers manager in June 2021 but left the role after a BetMcLean Cup loss to Queen's University last year.
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Gormley 'doesn't lose sleep' over last year's final omission
Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley said that he "doesn't lose sleep" over not featuring in last year's Irish Cup final was the only substitute not used during the Reds' 3-1 extra-time win over Linfield in the decider at Windsor not making it off the bench, Gormley was one of the first players over to congratulate Ronan Hale for scoring Cliftonville's third goal and says he looks back fondly on the day."You do think about it [not featuring] sometimes, but I wouldn't lose sleep over it," he told BBC Sport NI."Even though I didn't play last year because Cliftonville won it, I won it." 'It would mean the world to score' The 35-year-old is gearing up for his fourth Irish Cup final with the Reds on Saturday as they face Dungannon last year, Gormley is almost certain to start the decider having scored 20 league goals as well as the winner in the BetMcLean Cup final and the opener in the Irish Cup semi-final defeat of keen to contribute in the final with his family watching on in the stands, Gormley is just hopeful the Reds can get past a high-flying Swifts side and retain the Irish Cup."I've been beaten in two Irish Cup finals, and they were still amazing days but last year we got the win, and it was an incredible day and what a feeling following the burden of 45 years," he added. "It would mean the world to me to score this year, but as I always say if Cliftonville win, I win that is the main objective."I don't care who scores, the most important thing is we win the cup." 'The man never lets you down' Cliftonville captain Rory Hale is also eager to see Gormley have an impact in the cup final and praised the experienced forward's mentality."The man never lets you down, I can't remember the last time he missed a training session or let us down," he said."He doesn't care if he plays 90 minutes or one minute, he wants to make an impact. "It would be great to win the cup final, but it would be even better to see that man have a big say in it."Hale was named man-of-the-match in last year's final after an all-action display which helped end the Reds' 45-year wait for an Irish Cup believes there is "probably a lot more pressure" on this year's cup final than last year's due to their difficult league campaign and need to qualify for Europe."Last year we had a really good league campaign, and we ended up qualifying for Europe before the split. This year it is a lot different; we've found ourselves in the bottom six which is really disappointing, so for European football this game means a lot," he the League Cup already secured, Hale has his sights set on a cup double, which he thinks would be a great achievement after a difficult campaign on and off the pitch."A lot has gone on this season, we lost so many good players and a good friend Michael Newberry, who is always in our thoughts, so to go and do a double with the circumstances this group of players has had would be amazing, but it is only amazing if we can win the trophy. We need to win."
