DEATH STAR

Curran the hero for Reds with a late, late winner to break United hearts

CLIFTONVILLE produced a stunning fightback to break Ballymena United hearts and lift the County Antrim Shield at Windsor Park.

David Jeffrey’s Sky Blues led through Leroy Millar’s 54th minute goal heading into the dying moments of seven designated minutes of added time.

But just as the Braidmen were dreaming of glory in South Belfast, Paddy Mclaughlin’s men hit back with two goals in two barely believable minutes. Lively substitute

Thomas Maguire forced the ball home in the 96th minute before another replacement Ryan Curran won it with a low shot in the 97th.

Heartache and devastation for the Braidmen but scenes of joy and ecstacy for the Reds who lifted the famous old trophy for an 11th time in the club’s history.

Reds boss Paddy Mclaughlin said: “I’m delighted for the players and supporters. Any other team might have said it wasn’t to be, but we kept going and never gave up.”

Acting captain Joe Gormley praised his team mates’ “never say die attitude” as the Shield returned to Cliftonville for the first time since 2015.

“We showed real character and never believed we were beaten,” he said. “It’s a great feeling to take the Shield back to Solitude.”

Ballymena took the lead when Millar, captaining the side in the absence of the injured Jim Ervin, pounced for his fifth goal of the season.

Substitute Reece Glendinning fed Andy Mcgrory and the right wing back produced a stunning cross to the back post where Millar arrived on cue to steer home from close range.

The United skipper almost made it 2-0 two minutes later after being teed up by Adam Lecky, but his low drive from 25 yards out fizzed narrowly wide.

At the other end Jordan Williamson spread himself to to deny Gormley at point blank range and with time running out, it looked as if it wasn’t to be for Cliftonville.

How wrong we were. Seven minutes of added time were awarded – presumably the result of a lengthy head injury to United defender Steven Mccullough – and the Reds believed again.

They were level in the 96th minute when Maguire bundled home from close range after Williamson could only parry Conor Mcmenamin’s low drive from close range.

And incredibly, they won it in the 97th minute when Maguire’s cross eventually fell for Curran who steered a low shot inside the far post.

A crowning moment for Curran and Cliftonville – a sickening one for United.