Doting dad Joe out to deliver more magic

Family celebration would mean the world to Gormley

AN uplifting feature of Irish Cup Final day is how families and friends come together to celebrate what will be one of the most memorable occasions of their lives.

The surviving members of the 1979 Cup winning Cliftonville side can recall that party but players representing the north Belfast club have been starved of that feeling for 45 years.

It won’t be a surprise to Reds fans to learn that their record goalscorer Joe Gormley says it would mean the world to him if his side could defeat Linfield at Windsor Park in tomorrow’s mouthwatering showpiece.

And doting dad Joe is hoping for a very special family celebration after the first Reds v Blues Irish Cup Final in 90 years.

Just last month, Joe became a father for a second time after his partner Aoife gave birth to their son, Rowan. The Red Army’s latest recruit is the younger brother of matchday regular, three-yearold Lorcan.

These are special moments in Gormley’s life as he keeps his late father always in his thoughts.

Joe has spoken before about being a 12-year-old kid left crying with a broken heart when his father Joe passed away with cancer. His mum Marguerite has seen that distraught youngster mature into a proud father and footballer, and now Gormley hopes his late dad can help bring some luck to the side tomorrow..

“I had another wee boy and the family are amazing,” beamed Gormley, who has remained fiercely loyal to Cliftonville.

“Aoife has been brilliant and we have been out and about.

“The Cup Final is a massive family occasion. The biggest highlight of my career was beating Coleraine in the League Cup Final, having my family there and my wee boy who was one at the time was incredible. It makes it more special and this year it is going to be exciting with the growing family.

“My mum has her ticket and my brother. Mum has always been one of my biggest supporters and she loves the game to this day. She doesn’t go to all the games but she makes them when she can. It will be amazing to have my family there at the Final, along with all the supporters.

“Hopefully, after the game I will be able to celebrate along with them especially now with the two boys as well.

“I always think about my dad and I’d want him to be there to guide me but I know deep down that he is following me and will be proud of me. Hopefully, he brings me that bit of luck you need on the day of the Cup Final.”

Former Crumlin Star goal machine Gormley just needs an Irish Cup winner’s medal to add to his impressive collection.

The two Premiership titles under the late Tommy Breslin were magical, four League Cup wins is remarkable and there’s been a hat-trick of County Antrim Shield triumphs. But he’s hungry to avoid more Irish Cup heartbreak.

The 2013 Final defeat to Glentoran was a sickener with the 2018 loss to Coleraine another bitter pill to swallow. Both the Reds and Blues have already qualified for European competition through their League finishes but will be keen to collect the silverware this weekend.

Ardoyne man Gormley, who has scored 271 goals in 483 appearances, knows what an Irish Cup victory would mean to the long-suffering Solitude faithful.

The frontman, who had a spell at Peterborough United, is likely to start on the bench but he will relish the chance to have a decisive say on the big stage.

The 2014 Ulster Footballer of the Year can still be explosive in the final third and perhaps he can earn a new nickname — ‘Joe The Irish Cup Final Goal’.

“To bring the Irish Cup back to Cliftonville for the first time in 45 years would mean the world to me personally,” says the 34-year-old, who surpassed Kevin Mcgarry’s club record of 170 strikes in October 2018.

“The club is hungry for it and, from a personal perspective, it’s the only trophy that is missing from my collection.

“I would love to add it to my collection and, although it would be a hard ask, we can grab this opportunity with both hands and give it a good go — who knows what will happen on the day.

“Hopefully when the Final is over, we will be celebrating. I’ve played and lost in two Finals so it’s a bit of a bad omen for me but who knows, perhaps this can be third time lucky. I will give it a good go.”

Reds boss Jim Magilton, despite his late summer arrival as manager and being faced with a few departures this season, has assembled a formidable squad.

Their remarkable Irish Cup run, including that stunning semi-final victory over Larne, offers significant evidence of their spirit and quality. Now they are just one big performance away from making history.

“This team is special,” beams Gormley. “We have so many really good players. They are an exceptional team and we deserve success — even the Irish Cup — but you don’t get these prizes simply by turning up.

“You have to reach the Final, work hard and perform. It’s about seizing the moment and grabbing it with both hands.”