CLIFTONVILLE manager Jim Magilton is hoping that his side can learn their lessons from their previous display against Larne.
The Solitude side host the champions at Solitude on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Coming off the back of reaching the Toal’s County Antrim Shield Final with a 3-0 win over Bangor on Tuesday evening, Magilton is looking forward to welcoming Gary Haveron’s side and is fully focusing on the positives from his players.
“We are looking forward to it, of course we are, it is the next game,” Magilton reiterated.
“They are a fantastic team and deserving champions. We didn’t play particularly well for the first 45-minutes down there, the second half we were better.
“We’re going into it in good form and great momentum. Friday night is always a great night under the lights so we’ve got to be ready for it.
“We know how capable they are and how strong they are, but again it is about us and how we focus on our game."
Magilton didn’t have concerns that they failed to add to their 3-0 half time lead on Tuesday evening and credited Bangor for their second half shut out in the face of both sides changing things up personnel wise.
“You have to give Bangor immense credit for keeping a clean sheet," Magilton added.
“They are going to come out, and obviously a lot of pride still to play for. I’m sure, without putting words into Lee Feeney’s mouth – there was an opportunity for him to try and change things around.
“We tried to change things around, we’re conscious that we have another game on Friday. Substitutions can affect the flow, although I still think we created great opportunities in the second half.
“All in all, semi-finals are about winning and getting to the final and now we have a final to look forward to."
Magilton was also pleased with the even spread of goals and singled the three scorers.
“It’s really important that Brian Healy does continue to score goals,” he insisted.
“It gives him great confidence, you can see that with the goals there is greater confidence with his all round play. I thought he was excellent again tonight.
“Joe Sheridan again with another fantastic display and it’s lovely that Ollie Samuels scores. I’m delighted, we had really good opportunities to score one or two more.
“Again, before a game if you win a semi final 3-0 you are delighted. We are delighted, we tuck that one away. We’ve got to recover very quickly for a big game now on Friday night”.
Dean McMaster was replaced at half time with an injury scare, joining Shaun Leppard and Harry Wilson as doubts for Friday's game.
“We had to take Dean McMaster off with a scare,” Magilton revealed.
“We’ve still got Shaun Leppard that we didn’t want to risk. Harry Wilson, we didn’t want to risk.
“We need every available body. The more minutes we can get into important players like Rhyss Campbell, Joe Gormley and Ryan Corrigan it gives us greater depth and greater competition, that is what this is all about."
