Cliftonville manager Brendan Lynch praised “one of the strongest squads we have ever had” after their third league title in five years.
Glentoran’s defeat by Linfield secured the Premiership for the Reds, who sit eight points clear with two games to go.
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Lynch’s side have dominated the Premiership this campaign and have scored 68 goals and only lost one game.
“It has probably not sunk in properly yet for us and the players because we weren’t on the pitch,” Lynch told BBC Sport NI.
“We want to win a league any way. We would have rather been on the pitch, but we will take it whatever way we can get it, but it was strange!
“I am so proud of all the players and am a big advocate for them all. I think the greatest of them all and that togetherness is one reason why we have success.
“During the season, I knew we had a really good squad and one of the strongest we have ever had but our plan now is still the same, we want to win the next two games.”
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‘It was the hardest we have worked off season’
Last season, the Reds won the cup double when they lifted the League Cup and Irish Cup.
However, defeat by Glentoran on the final day of the season meant it was green, red and black ribbons on the Premiership trophy.
“It was massively important from the minute last season ended, we wanted it back and so did the players,” he continued.
“We went so close last year, it was heartbreaking in the final game of the season. We had enjoyed Europe so much and it had been an enjoyable season, but we fell short.
“We knew from that point on, what we needed to do. From a management point of view, it is probably the hardest we have worked off season, and I was meeting players on Christmas Eve and everything, we did not stop.”
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Teams throughout the Premiership have strengthened this season with the Glens and Linfield still fighting for second place during the final two games.
Meanwhile, Lisburn Rangers continued to impress just two years after being promoted to the top flight and defended their County Antrim Shield title.
“We always know that Glentoran are going to be a massive challenge,” Lynch added.
“Linfield as well, we knew those two teams had strengthened and it would be a massive challenge and right down the table, there is no easy feeling going to play anyone and there are no easy games.
“That is the strength of the league and that is great to see. We want every game to be a tough one, that will strengthen the league and that will strengthen us a result. You can only get better again. “
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‘We are not finished’
Cliftonville have now also secured their spot in next season’s Champions League for the third time.
The Reds made history in 2025 in the Champions League and registered their first win against KFF Mitrovica before bowing out against Lanchkhuti.
“In our last adventure in Europe, we came close and that is probably something that sits in a lot of our player’s minds,” he continued.
“We were so disappointed we didn’t get through and we are delighted to be back there and want to represent the league as best we can when there.
“We want to win everything, and we want to get through. It will be a massive target for us and there is no reason in my mind why we can’t achieve it.”
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This current season is not over either, with the side aiming to defend their Irish Cup crown and complete a domestic treble when they face Glentoran in the Challenge Cup final.
If they win, they will complete the domestic treble after winning the League Cup in emphatic style against the Glens.
“We are not finished,” Lynch added.
“The season is not done for us. People will feel happy when we get the trophy, but it is back to business
“The season is not over until October and that is when we can reflect and relax. As soon as the final whistle goes, for the coaching staff, it will be ‘what can we do and how can we improve?'”
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