Curran keen to repair Reds fans’ broken hearts

CHRIS Curran says he’s devastated Cliftonville couldn’t reward the Red Army with a rare Irish Cup celebration but he is ready to dig deep and help the club secure European football.

The former Ballinamallard United ace, who was substituted in the second half on Saturday, was denied the opportunity of placing his arms around the trophy as a proud skipper after Coleraine ran out 3-1 winners.

Barry Gray’s men must raise themselves from the canvas and hold off the challenge of Ballymena United at Solitude tonight to progress to Saturday’s Europa League play-off decider.

“We haven’t had too long to lick our wounds,” said Curran. “I’m sure when we reflect on the game we can take some positives from the performance. We have shown our character before and we are strong mentally. We will get our bodies and minds right for the play-off.”

Curran hasn’t given up on his own dream of lifting the Irish Cup in Cliftonville colours. The Reds started brightly, with Curran at the heart of their good play, but the Bannsiders weathered the early storm and exorcised the ghost of their loss to Linfield a year ago.

“The thing that hurts us the most is not being able to win it for the fans,” said Curran.

“From the moment we got on the bus, the backing they gave us was unbelievable.

“Not to be able to pay them back is hard but that’s just another reason why we must qualify for Europe.

“Hopefully I will win an Irish Cup but you have to take the opportunity because it may not come again.

“We have a good squad and I believe why can’t we get there again? Coleraine have done it so there’s no reason why we can’t regroup and come back stronger.”

Curran felt his men showed glimpses of their attacking quality but they had limited joy against a resolute Bannsiders defence.

“They have been strong all season but we have the quality to open up teams and Conor McDonald did open them up for the goal,” he added.

“We might not have created four or five goalscoring opportunities but sometimes you don’t need that and we have dangerous players. They have been solid defensively and they deserved their win.” Euro shot: Chris Curran wants Cliftonville to bounce back NEWRY City boss Darren Mullen believes his side have the class and character to get the job done in the Premiership promotion/ relegation play-off second leg against Carrick Rangers tonight.

The Championship side battled back from two goals down to win 3-2 in Friday night’s opening encounter at The Showgrounds.

Carrick are hungry to preserve their top-flight status and the play-off is finely poised for the Belfast Loughshore Hotel Arena showdown.

“There’s a lot of excitement and I wouldn’t say fear because we are delighted to be involved in this game and we will give it our best shot,” said Mullen.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to possibly make the Premiership and we have some players who have been there before and they want to taste that again.

“The prize for us is a big one and there’s a huge amount of hunger and desire to grab it but we also know Carrick will be very difficult opponents.

“We have given ourselves a chance by fighting back from two goals down in the first leg and if we aren’t good enough to finish the job then so be it, but we will give it our all.

“Carrick will be fighting for their lives and I believe we will need to go there and score. If we just sit back we will pay a price and you have to go and impose yourself on the opposition.

“Players will have to win their individual battles and this will be a different type of game on a tighter pitch.

“What was pleasing from our lads in the first leg is that we didn’t panic, we dug deep and we may have to do that again to make the Premiership.

“I think it could come down to whoever wants it more on the night and from our perspective, there are no excuses. We have a fully fit squad and we are well prepared for it.”

Carrick boss David McAlinden said: “In some quarters the tie is already over but we just have to go again.”

Newry are seeking to secure a fourth promotion in five seasons while the Gers won last year’s play-off against Institute to preserve their Premiership place.