Swanlinbar man Chris Curran capped off his Cliftonville career in style by lifting the Irish Cup in a thrilling 3-1 win over Linfield at the weekend.

Curran came on as a substitute, in the final few moments of normal time, for his 440th and final appearance for the Reds, managing to help his side to their first Irish Cup since 1979, following his announcement to retire after the season.

Two goals from Ronan Hale in extra-time handed victory to Jim Magilton's side sealing a historic win.

“It was a very nervy, pressure situation to come into,” he said.

“Obviously, it’s a brilliant outcome, we knew our jobs so we were well prepared. It was backs to the wall for 30-35 minutes and then obviously a massive relief at the end with Ronan’s third goal, we knew we had sealed it at that point.”

The win ended Cliftonville’s wait for an Irish Cup for over 40 years with their last one coming in 1979.

Saturday’s medal will go alongside the Irish Premiership and a handful of League Cups that Curran has picked up since joining the north Belfast side in 2013.

When asked if it was his most special trophy win, Curran replied: “I’d say it was just because of the context behind the game more than anything, with the 45-year wait and obviously with it being the final one to complete the set of local honours.

"So yeah it was very special because of what it means to all the supporters and our whole group of players and staff. It was incredible.”

The celebrations lasted long into the night in Belfast revealed the former Manchester United youth player.

"You can probably hear it from my voice,” he laughed. “Unbelievable, it’s all a bit of a blur now between just the evening itself, the celebrations in the immediate aftermath and going back to the ground.

"Yesterday (Monday) we had an open-top bus parade in Belfast. It was probably one of the best days of my life to be honest just seeing what it meant to all of our supporters across the city.

"Having grown men walk up to you with tears in their eyes puts it all into perspective what it means to people."

Saturday’s win brought the curtain down on a stellar career for Curran who joined the Reds in 2013.

He said it was the perfect way to end things and was relieved at staying on to play another year after first considering retirement at the end of last season.

“The decision around walking away was made some time ago and hasn’t been a snap decision,” he continued.

“I’ve considered it quite deeply so it is the perfect way to end. I will miss being around the place, the players, the supporters but I won't be a stranger whenever I get the opportunity to come back, visit and watch games. I'll be there and I’m looking forward to doing that.

"I’m relieved because I’d have been really happy if I had left the football club but it would have been a sore one if I had walked away and missed out on that opportunity so just relieved that I hung in there for another year.

"It couldn’t have worked out any better.”