League Cup final: Cliftonville boss Paddy McLaughlin eager to trade plaudits for silverware

Paddy McLaughlin is eager to trade praise and plaudits for silverware and success in today’s BetMcLean League Cup final at Windsor Park.

Cliftonville, one of the most fluid and entertaining teams in the Irish League this season, are currently in the midst of a fascinating league title race with Linfield and Glentoran.

They also have a Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup semi-final to look forward to with North Belfast derby rivals Crusaders on April 1 or 2.

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Whisper it, but with today’s showpiece also on a busy schedule, they’re currently chasing a treble, although McLaughlin is fully aware he and his players could end up with nothing come May.

And for that reason alone he’s eager to swap applause and bright media headlines for tangible reward in South Belfast.

“We’ve had pats on the back for our performances this season, but we’re in this game to win trophies and medals,” said McLaughlin.

“The players have deserved the praise they’ve received in recent months, but this is an opportunity to win silverware.

“We’re in good form at the moment and a lot of hard work has gone into our season up until this point, but it would be great to get some reward for that hard work.

“We know we’ll have to be at our maximum to get the better of Coleraine, but finals don’t always come around regularly and it’s important we embrace it.”

McLaughlin, who has been at the Solitude helm since succeeding Barry Gray in February 2019, is chasing his second trophy as Cliftonville manager.

His first came two years ago when two stoppage time goals from Thomas Maguire and Ryan Curran secured a dramatic 2-1 win over Ballymena United in the 2020 County Antrim Shield final.

“It was