Cliftonville’s red-hot momentum can be an unstoppable force, insists Jim Magilton

Cliftonville’s Ronan Hale toasts bagging an extra-time hat-trick against Coleraine in the Irish Cup Fifth Round

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton was delighted with the Irish Cup Fifth Round triumph over Coleraine

Ronan Hale is toasted by his Cliftonville team-mates after opening the scoring against Coleraine

Ronan Hale roars with delight after scoring in extra-time for Cliftonville against Coleraine

Ronan Hale wheels away after finding the net for Cliftonville in their 3-0 victory over Coleraine

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Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton believes his side’s Irish Cup win at the Coleraine Showgrounds adds “momentum” for the challenges that lie ahead.

The Reds secured their passage through to the Sixth Round of the competition courtesy of a Ronan Hale hat-trick in extra-time.

The game was largely a cagey affair but burst into life on 80 minutes as Cliftonville substitute Sam Ashford was dismissed for a high tackle on Dean Jarvis.

The Bannsiders’ numerical advantage wouldn’t last long, however, as Lyndon Kane – who was making his 300th appearance for the club – was dismissed on 90 minutes for a second bookable offence.

Step up Ronan Hale, who arrowed in an unstoppable opener on 104 minutes before pouncing on two defensive mistakes to complete his hat-trick in the second-half of extra-time.

“It really does build momentum and that’s the key word,” Magilton stressed. “Momentum in football and confidence in players is huge, and sometimes, it can be an unstoppable force, so we are building on the confidence of the players and we are making them believe.

“At the end of the day, we talk an unbelievably good game, but they have to step over the white line and play.

“They have done and we want to give them even more confidence to go and