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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Cliftonville fans line streets to give team big send-off ahead of BetMcLean League Cup final

Cliftonville's fans lined the streets outside Solitude to give Paddy McLaughin's side a big send-off ahead of the BetMcLean League Cup final.

The North Belfast Reds take on Coleraine in the showpiece final (3pm kick-off), the first to be held on a Sunday.

A record crowd is also expected at Windsor Park, with over 10,000 fans set to descend on the national stadium.

Read more: Cliftonville vs Coleraine LIVE score updates from the BetMcLean League Cup final

Coleraine are the holders since 2020, with last season's competition having been cancelled amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Cliftonville last won it in the 2015/16 season when they beat Ards in the final - their fourth successive success in the competition.

The Reds have been flying this season, and remain bang in the title race and into the semi-finals of the Irish Cup.

But fans want to turn that form into trophies - and they have a big chance this afternoon.

Many gathered outside Solitude to give McLaughlin and his players a big send-off, lighting flares and cheering on the team as they boarded their bus for Windsor.

Check out the footage at the top of this story, captured by Cliftonville fan and Belfast boxer Owen O'Neill.

Read more: League Cup final: Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin eager to trade plaudits for silverware

Read more: League Cup final: Coleraine boss Oran Kearney determined to defend 1,230 day reign

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