Crusaders fought back from a goal down to secure a coveted place in next month’s Samuel Gelsten’s Whiskey Irish Cup final and end Cliftonville’s treble dream in the process.
Joe Gormley had given the Reds, who are in the midst of a title challenge and lifted the BetMcLean League Cup last month, an early lead at Windsor Park.
But the Crues hit back with Ross Clarke’s third goal of the season and the winger’s first Irish Cup goal since scoring in a 3-0 win over Ballinamallard United in the 2019 final.
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And they won it in first half stoppage time when Ben Kennedy’s corner ended up in the back of the net off a combination of skipper BJ Burns and Reds defender Luke Turner.
Cliftonville got off to the perfect start when Gormley pounced for his 21st goal of the season and his fifth in his last four outings in all competitions.
Kris Lowe’s dangerous low cross across the Crues six yard box was scrambled clear by the covering Jordan Forsythe and Philip Lowry.
But Levi Ives picked up the pieces 25 yards out and his low shot from the edge of the area fizzed into the path of Gormley who steered the ball into the bottom corner.
It was an instinctive and impressive finish from Cliftonville’s all-time record goalscorer who raced off to celebrate in front of a large Reds support.
The Reds thought it was 2-0 in the 27th minute when Paul O’Neill met a Lowe cross to head home off the underside of the bar, but the striker was marginally offside.
The Crues were level in the 35th minute and it was a moment to forget for Cliftonville keeper Luke McNicholas who failed to gather an Aidan Wilson cross inside a crowded area.
The ball eventually fell for Clarke and he swept an angled shot into the far corner, although the unfortunate McNicholas may also have helped the ball into the net.
Reds striker O’Neill looked to be onside as he raced clear for a one-one-one with Crues keeper Jonny Tuffey only for a linesman’s flag to dart up, wrongly according to TV replays.
And soon after the Shore Road men took the lead in first half stoppage time when Burns - or was it Reds defender Turner - forced the ball home from a yard out.
Ben Kennedy’s corner was flicked on by Clarke and the ball appeared to strike Turner and possibly Burns before squirming over the line.
Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin introduced midfielder Rory Hale and attacking wing-back Conor McDermott from the bench on the hour mark as he chased a response.
And it almost came at the death when Gormley picked out O’Neill inside the area, but Tuffey produced a superb save with his feet to deny a certain goal.
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