Paddy Burns, Ronan Doherty, Sam Ashford and most notably Ronan Hale started last year’s decider in a strong Reds side that lined-up against the Blues.
Nathan Gartside, Luke Kenny, Ben Wilson, Stephen Mallon and Chris Curran were introduced off the bench, with Gartside and Kenny coming on before half-time due to injuries to David Odumosu and Odhran Casey.
Burns, Gartside, Ashford and Mallon left at the end of the contracts, with striker Ashford delivering the perfect parting gift by netting the equaliser in the final, his eighth goal for the club.
Kenny returned to St Mirren after spending last year on loan, whilst Doherty moved to Coleraine in January.
Legendary club captain Curran called time on his career after winning every possible domestic trophy at the club.
Yet, there is no doubt that the biggest losses were those of prolific forwards Wilson to Airdrieonians and Hale to Ross County.
Wilson scored 20 goals in 42 appearances during his sole season with the Reds, and like Ashford, made a big impact in the cup final, assisting Hale’s two extra-time goals.
Those two goals from Hale, the second of which will go down as one of the most famous strikes and celebrations in Irish Cup history, cemented his status as a Cliftonville hero.
He registered 51 goals in 82 appearances during his two-year spell at the club, including 21 in all competitions in his final season and his absence has been most keenly felt at Solitude this campaign.
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