Danske Bank Premiership
ONE of Cliftonville’s JBE League Cup final heroes, Davy McDaid, says he doesn’t envy Gerard Lyttle trying to pick his strike-force ahead of Saturday’s make-or-break showdown with Crusaders at Seaview.
Lyttle has an embarrassment of riches up front, with McDaid, Jay Donnelly, Darren Murray and Daniel Hughes battling for two berths. Murray and Hughes were cup-tied for last weekend’s 3-0 League Cup final win over Ards, while McDaid did his chances of starting against the Crues no harm at all by bagging the all-important second goal that won the silverware for Cliftonville.
“I wouldn’t fancy picking the team, especially with the attacking players we’ve got,” said McDaid.
“We obviously strengthened there in January. It’s great for me. It’s competition and it’s only going to make me better. With ‘Dozzle’, Jay and, obviously, Daniel, who’s a very good player, it will be very competitive.”
McDaid missed a first-half penalty against Ards, but came up trumps with a fine poacher’s finish just after the hour mark last Saturday night: “It was hurtful missing that penalty just before half-time and, if we scored then, we go 2-0 up and the game’s over,” said the Derry man.
“Obviously, it affected me at half-time, but I just cleared my head for the second-half and I thought 'if I get a chance, I’ll score it'."
Although he was part of the Reds squad that won the League Cup last season, McDaid said last weekend’s victory was more satisfying: “We’ve made history. That's four in-a-row.
"It’s the first trophy I’ve won at the club. Last year, I was on the bench and it didn’t feel the same when we won it. So it’s definitely up there with the other trophies that I’ve won.”
Lyttle praised McDaid, now on 18 goals for the season, and believes he will score more if he can stay in the penalty area in games: “We’ve quality in the team and Davy’s a quality striker,” said the Cliftonville manager.
“He’s been across the water and at Derry City full-time. We’ve been drilling into him that he needs to play around the box more and that’s where he will get his goals. He’s been out for a wee while and is probably lacking a bit of match fitness but, when Davy’s sharp, he’s up there with the best, so I was pleased for him that he scored after missing a penalty last week.”
It is understood McDaid resisted overtures from cross-town rivals Linfield during the transfer window: “Linfield saw Cliftonville had bought some strikers and obviously thought I would be going out the way. They were obviously interested, but I’m happy here. I’ve another year left on my contract,” he added.
Third-placed Cliftonville travel to champions and league leaders Crusaders on Saturday and know they probably need to win to stand any chance of winning the Gibson Cup.
The Seaview men are nine points clear of the Reds and seven better off than second-placed Linfield: “It’s the biggest game of the year,” said McDaid.
FRESH from clinching their Irish Cup quarter-final place, Carrick Rangers' attention turns back to the Premiership on Friday as they face a bottom-of-the-table clash with Warrenpoint Town at Seaview (8pm).
On Monday night, Gary Haveron's men laboured to a 1-0 win over juniors Crumlin Star in their delayed Irish Cup sixth round clash, with Miguel Chines scoring the winner from the penalty spot.
On the same night, Warrenpoint Town's four-match winning streak was ended by fellow strugglers Dungannons Swifts at Stangmore Park. Barry Gray's men are a point behind Carrick at the bottom.
