Hoop springs eternal

Regular readers of our Matchday Magazine will know all the facts and figures behind each new week at Cliftonville Football Club, while our Twitter followers are regaled with daily delves into the archives – and today provides yet another significant anniversary.

For it was on April 19, 1897 that the Reds took on Celtic for the very first time.

The first of two Easter friendlies

As chronicled below, the Clubs have gone on to meet on a further eight occasions, with the most recent coming in the form of a pre-season friendly at Lennoxtown in 2018, however it was on this very day 123 years ago that a ‘Grand Easter Football Match’ marked our inaugural contest with the Scottish side at Solitude – where the Hoops would return the following day to face Belfast Celtic in a fundraiser for the Mater Infirmorum Hospital.

Glasgow Celtic v Cliftonville

These teams met in a friendly at Cliftonville before 3000 spectators.

Neither team was fully represented.

The first half was well contested. Gilhooley scored for Celtic.

Cliftonville had hard lines, shots from Pyper and Barron striking the posts.

Celtic led by 1 to 0 at half time.

Cliftonville resumed one short, as James Campbell was injured.

Crossan soon scored a second goal for the Celtic.

Alexander then completed the Cliftonville team but McCoull then retired, leaving them short again.

Celtic held the balance of play to the finish.

The game ended Celtic 2 goals; Cliftonville 0.

Meetings Through History
April 19, 1897: Cliftonville 0-2 Celtic
September 13, 1954: Cliftonville 2-2 Celtic
August 14, 1984: Cliftonville 0-4 Celtic
October 13, 2009: Cliftonville 3-0 Celtic
July 28, 2012: Cliftonville 2-2 Celtic
July 17, 2013: Cliftonville 0-3 Celtic
July 23, 2013: Celtic 2-0 Cliftonville
April 11, 2016: Cliftonville 0-3 Celtic
July 7, 2018: Celtic 2-2 Cliftonville