Ballymena United hero Steven McCullough on the David Jeffrey rollicking that inspired Irish Cup goal

Steven McCullough has revealed how a half-time rollicking from manager David Jeffrey inspired Tuesday's Irish Cup heroics against Newry City.

Ballymena United edged past the Championship leaders to book their place in next week's showpiece final thanks to a moment of magic from McCullough.

It arrived in the 53rd minute, the midfielder curling a sublime free-kick into the top corner of the net to earn a 1-0 win at Mourneview Park.

Ballymena United 1-0 Newry City: Ten-man Sky Blues book place in Irish Cup final

Ballymena will now meet Crusaders in the final on Saturday, May 7, and McCullough admits he has his boss to thank for helping drag them over the line in Tuesday's clash with Newry.

Jeffrey had some stern words with his players at half-time, following a turgid opening 45 minutes in Lurgan.

McCullough admits much of the manager's blast was aimed at himself.

"We had a bit of an argument," he told the BBC.

"We needed it because Newry started very well and were winning all the second balls whereas we didn't really start in the first half.

"I thought we were a bit better in the second half but it was a scrappy game. The pitch was awful, very sticky, but thankfully we got through. "

Asked what the half-time exchange was like, McCullough joked: "Not good.

"He says he is glad he shouted at me, it gave me a bit of a kick up the backside. It is one of those things, you need it sometimes. You need told off to lift you up a bit.

"I think I gave the ball away about four times in a row in the first half, going backwards when he wanted me to go forwards."

Jeffrey jokingly refused to elaborate on his half-time team talk, but did admit he had a "conversation" with McCullough.

"I will not give you the full version but, yes, I had a