Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
ECSTACY AND AGONY
Waterworth the hero as Blues clinch it at Solitude
ANDY WATERWORTH grabbed hero status after helping end Linfield’s five year wait for title glory on a day of drama in the Danske Bank Premiership.
The ace predator pounced for a 12 minute hat-trick at the start of the second-half to ensure it was Blues skipper Jamie Mulgrew lifting the Gibson Cup high above his head at 5pm.
David Healy’s men, who needed just a point to pip
Crusaders to the title on the final day of the campaign, were rocked when Daniel
Hughes (right) headed Cliftonville into an early lead.
But the visitors’ nerves were settled when Waterworth pounced for a quickfire double on 47 and 53 minutes, his second a superb solo run and finish past Peter Burke.
And the seasoned hitman added a third from the penalty spot on the hour mark after Reds defender Chris Ramsey was sent off for impeding the striker inside the area.
Waterworth, celebrating his first title triumph with the South Belfast club, said: “I’m just delighted to score three on such a fantastic day for the club.
“I’ve finished second in the league a few times now so it’s just great to finally get across the line and lift the Gibson Cup.
“We were nervous at the start and when Cliftonville scored, I did start to worry. We were flat in the first half, but deserved it with our second half display.”
Cliftonville, with former boss
Tommy
Breslin back in the dugout on an interim basis, tossed a spanner in the works when Hughes headed Tomas Cosgrove’s cross into the bottom corner on 14 minutes.
Linfield keeper Roy Carroll then denied the Reds a second 23 minutes, diving full length to parry Stephen Garrett’s goal bound volley around the post,.
And what a crucial stop it proved as the Blues, who were nine points behind the Crues in February, launched a stirring secondhalf fightback.
Waterworth equalised on 47 minutes when he stabbed home from close range after Mark Stafford headed Chris Casement’s corner back into the danger area.
And it was 2-0 soon after when the striker outpaced Jamie McGovern and cut inside the sprawling defender to steer a low shot past Burke.
Waterworth completed his hat-trick from the spot - after Cliftonville defender Ramsey saw red - to send 800 Linfield fans at the Bowling Club end of the ground into raptures.
Two goals to the good and with Clifton onville reduced to 10 men, the Blues cruised to the finishing line and the South Belfast club’s 52nd league title.
Linfield skipper Jamie Mulgrew said: “I’m sure people thought we had thrown it away when we trailed 1-0 at the break, but we had a few choice words with each other and it worked.
“Once we got the equaliser at the start of the second period, I was confident we were going to win and we showed the ruthless streak required to be champions. It’s a great day for the club.”