Cliftonville and Linfield paid emotional tributes to their former player Michael Newberry before Saturday's Irish Cup ties. The two clubs and the Irish League as a whole were left in shock by the sudden passing of Newberry at the start of last week.

At the end of a "difficult week" both Cliftonville and Linfield had to get back to matters on the pitch as they faced Banbridge Rangers and Wellington Rec in their fifth round ties, but not before they paid tribute to Newberry ahead of kick-off.

Wreaths were laid by both teams at Solitude alongside the defender's number 5 shirt before an emotional minute's applause from everyone in the ground.

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Speaking afterwards Magilton told BBC Sport: "It's been a really difficult week for everyone connected with the football club. We've lost a wonderful human being who had so many unbelievable qualities. None more so than his enthusiasm, passion and vigour to play.

"He loved training, he loved the matches but more than anything he loved being in the dressing room. To lose someone of that magnitude is absolutely horrendous. I don't think you ever recover from this in terms of what Michael left. It was a matter of taking care of the game, which we did, but all we really wanted to do is to make the family aware of how much Michael meant to us all.

"We want to show them what Michael meant to us and how much he was loved and cherished and how much we are all going to miss him. You have to commend Banbridge Rangers because this is a huge day for them in the landscape of their football club, and they did it with such grace and dignity. On behalf of the club we thank them."

Linfield paid their own tribute to their former player ahead of kick-off against Wellington Rec with Newberry's Linfield shirt placed in the centre circle and a special video played. Blues boss Healy admitted afterwards it was tough to focus on football after the past week.

"Michael played a huge part in our success. More importantly than that, it was the relationships and friendships that he made at this club," he told the BBC. "I said earlier in the week about the numbness that I felt, and we all felt, when the news came through.

"You break that down and realise the family, those closest to him, how they were feeling, and it was incredibly tough. The least important thing was playing football and the results. We had to, and speaking to Michael's dad yesterday, he wanted us to go and smash it for his son. I don't think we quite smashed the performance but hopefully we made the family proud."

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