Jamie Harney: I looked at the clock on 80 minutes and thought how did we get ourselves into this situation

As Ryan Curran hit the back of the Ballymena United net to win the County Antrim Shield back in January it's a memory that will live long in the memory of all Cliftonville supporters.

Going into stoppage time at the end of the second half Paddy McLaughlin's Reds were trailing 1-0 thanks to a Leroy Millar strike. 

However wonderkid Thomas Maguire popped up with a 95th minute leveller before Curran struck 85 seconds later. 

Cliftonville defender Jamie Harney recalled that night of January 21st 2020, "When Ryan Curran slotted that into the corner it was pure relief. I remember looking at the clock at around 80 minutes thinking, how have we got ourselves into this situation. I was just so glad we got over the line as the work we have put in as a club this season, we deserved silverware. Mind you, hopefully that won’t be the last of it this season when we eventually get back up and running"

Harney has been pivotal for the Reds this season as they have already kept more clean-sheets at this stage of the campaign than they did in the whole of last year.

Speaking about the season as a whole so far before it was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic the 24 year old said, "This season has mainly been a very positive one for the team, an obvious highlight was the County Antrim Shield final but for me it was the period over Christmas."

Harney went on to reflect and praise his side after they picked up maximum points against Coleriane, North Belfast rivals Crusaders, Larne and Glenavon over the festive period. 

"With four very tough games so close together it took a lot for us to get maximum points, still disappointed how our January went but looking back on that period I thought it was the best football we have played. Before the whole Covid situation, I think we were starting to find our form again which was perfect as it came to the business end of the season."

The tough tackler has also played across the water for West Ham United and Colchester United but speaking about his journey into the game he said, "I started playing with Omagh United at around 12 or 13 I believe. They were great times, I started to learn the game as before I was just kicking about with friends and family. Coming from a GAA background, there wasn’t much football to play in my area. Eventually I moved on to Maiden City in Derry were I started getting more opportunities to go across the water, went on several trails and eventually ended up signing with West Ham". 

When asked about his time in East London with the Hammers and his experience with the club Harney responded "Moving over to London just after my GCSE’s was definitely a culture shock coming from Plumbridge. I did love it to be honest, a lot of hard work and sacrifice but eventually I started to see it paying off. I ended up signing a two year professional contract after my scholarship, I made a lot of great friends and I look back at that time very fondly. Maybe I could have worked that bit harder on certain parts of my game, but I gave it a right good go. Eventually I went on loan to Colchester and stayed there for two and half years before moving back home and signing for Cliftonville."

With the season currently suspended it has given players thinking time and what they want to achieve if the season gets back up and running once again.

"If the season gets back up and running, which I hope does happen. I think as a team we should aim for European qualification in the league and of course the big one the Irish Cup. Playing in the final a few years ago, I saw how big the occasion was to the club. I would love nothing more to win this, it's a huge ask as we face a very good Glentoran team in the semi-final. But that would be my own personal goal for the season."

Harney has played against Barcelona and global footballing sensation Lionel Messi during his time at West Ham when his under 23 side took on Argentina in a training game as they were over to take on Croatia at the Irons Boleyn Ground but that does not rank number one in terms of his career highlights. "There have been a few great times but I would be lying if I didn’t say the Hat-trick in the Irish Cup against Warrenpoint Town a few years ago, it was a mental game as we came out 4-3 winners. I just remember everyone laughing when the third goal went in, I'm not sure if that was a good thing or not."

It's safe to say Harney has played with and against some of the best players in the game as he also played alongside Sean Maguire who now plays for Preston North End while In East London. 

However, he says that Cliftonville teammate Joe Gormley is his toughest ever opponent; "There have been a few very tough opponents over the years, within the Irish league I would say Jordan Owens . But when you have to mark Joe Gormley in training three days a week, I will say him. You can’t give him a yard of space or he will hurt you, the man is frightening."

It's safe to say Jamie Harney is a fans favourite with the Solitude faithful reflecting on his time with the North Belfast club a number of fond memories come to mind.

"My Favourite moment so far has to be the County Antrim Shield Final. I came to Cliftonville to win trophies and that was my first. I hope it kicks us on as a team to achieve even better things. The way we won it will be something I’ll never forget I think. I'm hoping there’s a few more good memories to be made in my time in a Red shirt".