Yahoo Sports Tributes paid to Newberry ahead of Irish Cup ties
Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton says he wanted make Michael Newberry's family aware of "how much he meant to us all" in the club's first game since the defender passed away.
Former Newcastle defender Newberry died suddenly on Monday aged 27.
Tributes were paid to Newberry ahead of the Reds' Irish Cup tie with Banbridge Rangers, while he was also remembered at Windsor Park before his former club Linfield took on Wellington Rec.
A minute's silence was also held at the other Irish Cup ties.
"It's been a really difficult week for everyone connected with the football club," said Magilton.
"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."
Saturday's Irish Cup fifth round tie was Cliftonville's first game since Newberry's death after Monday's Irish Premiership match with Dungannon Swifts was postponed as a mark of respect.
Cliftonville and Banbridge Rangers laid wreaths in the centre circle alongside Newberry's Cliftonville shirts before a moving minute's applause.
The hosts also had Newberry's number five on the front of their shirts as both Cliftonville and Linfield fans left scarves and tributes outside Solitude.
"It's very difficult to sum up, but more importantly it is the Newberry family who we are thinking about at this stage," added Magilton, whose side won 4-0.
"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.
"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."
Playing football 'the least important thing'
Tributes also took place at Windsor Park ahead of Linfield's match with Wellington Rec, which the hosts won 4-0.
Newberry spent three-and-a-half years at Linfield before joining Cliftonville in the summer.
A video was played in tribute before kick-off and Newberry's Linfield shirt was placed in the centre circle for the minute's silence.
Linfield manager David Healy, who had known Newberry since he was a teenager, said it was a "tough day" for the club.
"I'm delighted to go through, but when you put it into context and what our dressing room has had to deal with, and other dressing rooms up and down the country, my heartfelt condolences go to all," he said.
"Especially to Michael senior and his family. I've many stories, all good ones. He was a brilliant boy."
Healy admitted he struggled to focus on the match after a difficult week but says "we found a way as a club".
"He played a huge part in our success. More importantly than that, it was the relationships and friendships that he made at this club.
"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."
