Reds Mac the most of it

Immaculata 2-5 Cliftonville

Cliftonville got the better of Immaculata in this evening’s friendly fixture at Grosvenor Recreation Centre.

The Donnelly brothers accounted for three of the Reds’ goals, with Rory bagging a brace in addition to Jay finding the net, while Caoimhin McConnell and Conor McMenamin were also on the scoresheet.

Boss Barry Gray made eight changes to the side that enjoyed a dramatic late victory over Glentoran in the weekend’s opening Danske Bank Premiership encounter, with only Levi Ives, Jay Donnelly and McMenamin retaining their places in the line-up.

The deadlock was broken after just eight minutes when McConnell continued his fine goalscoring form in friendly outings, nodding in from close range to add to his recent strikes against Ballinamallard United and Swords Celtic.

Soon later, Jay Donnelly raced through to make it 2-0 before a long-range effort from McMenamin put Cliftonville three to the good.

Rory Donnelly rounded the keeper to add a fourth and, after pulling one back before the interval, the Mac reduced the deficit further with a deflected effort on 66 minutes.

The Reds’ three-goal advantage was restored 12 minutes from time, however, when Rory Donnelly’s snapshot caught the home custodian out of position to complete the night’s scoring.

Cliftonville: Neeson, Ives, Breen, Harney, R Donnelly, White, McConnell, J Donnelly, Lavery, Maguire, McMenamin. Subs: Brush (for Neeson, 46 mins), McGovern (for White, 46 mins), R Curran (for McConnell, 46 mins), Bagnall (for McMenamin, 46 mins), Catney (for Maguire, 46 mins), Gormley (for Lavery, 46 mins), A Donnelly (for Ives, 46 mins).