After the strike, the Crusaders struggled to secure a privileged place next month in Samuel Gilston’s Irish Whiskey Cup Final, and in the meantime put an end to the Cliftonville triple dream.
Joe Gormley, the Reds facing a title challenge and winning the BetMcLean League Cup last month, has given Windsor Park a head start.
But Cruz responded with Ross Clark’s third goal of the season and Flanger’s first in the Irish Cup after a 3-0 win over Ballinamalard United in the 2019 final.
They won it during the first half when Ben Kennedy’s corner kick ended with a combination of captain PJ Burns and Reds defender Luke Turner behind the net.
Cliftonville got off to a great start when Gormley scored his 21st goal of the season and fifth in his last four games in all competitions.
Chris Lowe’s dangerous low cross in the six-yard Cruz area was passed by Jordan Forsyth and Philip Lowery.
But Levi Ives picked up the numbers from 25 yards and his low shot from the edge of the field hit Jourmal’s path, who passed the ball into the bottom corner.
It was an instinctive and impressive finish from the historic scorer for Cliftonville, who raced to celebrate the Reds’ impressive support.
The Reds considered the score 2-0 in the 27th minute when Paul O’Neill met Lowe’s cross and the striker from the bottom of the post, but the striker came off a bit from the match.
The cruises equalized in the 35th minute, forgetting Cliftonville goalkeeper Luke McNicolas, who failed to cross Aidan Wilson in a crowded spot.
The ball eventually fell to Clark who hit a corner kick into the far corner, although the unfortunate McNicola may have helped the ball into the net.
Reds striker O’Neill appeared on the sidelines as he ran one-on-one with Cruz goalkeeper Jonny Taffey, only to see the team’s flag down, according to a flawed TV show.
Immediately afterwards, Shore Road’s men took the lead during the first half stop when Burns – or Reds defender Turner – pushed the ball out of the yard.
A Ben Kennedy corner kick was kicked by Clark and the ball appeared to hit Turner and possibly Burns before crossing the finish line.
Cliftonville President Paddy McLaughlin made quarterback Rory Hale and attacking winger Conor McDermott the clock as he sought to strike back.
He almost died when Gormley carried O’Neill in the box, but Taffy made a great article with his feet to deny a particular target.
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Source: Belfastlive
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