Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin has told his players to park their Irish Cup frustration and get back to winning ways in tonight’s crucial league game with Portadown at Shamrock Park (7.45pm).
The Reds were left smarting after Friday night’s 2-1 blue riband semi-final defeat to North Belfast rivals Crusaders at Windsor Park.
The club’s long and seemingly interminable 43-year wait for Irish Cup success - they last lifted the trophy in 1979 - goes on.
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But on the plus side, Cliftonville still have plenty to target in the final month of the season and a win tonight would edge them to within a point of leaders Linfield at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership.
“We still have so much to play for,” said McLaughlin.
“I told the changing room ‘feel sorry for yourselves tonight, no problem, but when we wake up tomorrow, it’s a new day and we focus on Portadown'.
“If we have to move on without one or two, if they let the disappointment get the better of them, we’ll have to do that, but I don’t expect that. I expect a positive reaction.”
Cliftonville have tonight’s game in hand on Linfield before they welcome the Blues to Solitude for the first of five post-split fixtures on Saturday afternoon.
A victory against a Ports side fighting for top-flight survival would edge them four points clear of Glentoran in third and just a point off the reigning champions.
On being in the thick of the title race at this late stage of the season, McLaughlin said: “I don’t think there were too many who gave us a chance to be in this position.
“We have done brilliantly and our consistency has been excellent. To be part of the title challenge at this stage of the season is a fantastic achievement by the players.”
While Portadown lie second bottom, the Mid Ulster giants have been galvanised by Paul Doolin’s arrival as manager at the end of January.
Three home wins and a draw in their last four league outings have edged them to within a point of 10th place and automatic safety with tonight’s game in hand.
McLaughlin said: “Portadown have done brilliantly since Dooler went in there, especially over the last few weeks. They’ve picked up some big points, especially at home.
“They are a tough side to crack at home, so we expect a difficult game, but we’re looking forward to it. We can’t wait to get back on the pitch after Friday night.”
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