Dates for Eur diary

The NI Football League have announced that this season’s Europa League Play-Offs will commence on Tuesday, May 7.

With outstanding issues yet to be resolved in both the Danske Bank Premiership and Tennent’s Irish Cup, a host of permutations remain in play, meaning complete clarity will not be determined until Saturday, May 4.

What is certain, however, is that Cliftonville will contest a Semi Final clash – although, with no fewer than three prospective opponents (Coleraine, Crusaders and Glenavon) and the same number of venues in contention, the next week-and-a-half will no doubt be spent assessing the various potential outcomes that will shape the end-of-term competition.

Should three or four teams qualify for the Play-Offs, the Semi Finals would be played on May 7 with the Final taking place on Saturday, May 11.

If, however, Ballinamallard United win the Irish Cup, five teams could potentially contest the Play-Offs; a May 7 pre-qualifier staged between the Premiership’s 6th and 7th Clubs, with Cliftonville entering at the Semi-Final stage on May 11 ahead of the Final on Tuesday, May 14.

As always, cliftonvillefc.net will endeavour to keep our supporters fully informed of all fixture developments once confirmed details of our Semi Final has been received from NIFL.

Play-Off permutations
Three or four teams involved
Tuesday, May 7: Semi Finals (7.45pm)
Saturday, May 11: Final (5.30pm TBC)

Five teams involved
Tuesday, May 7: Pre-Qualifier (7.45pm)
Saturday, May 11: Semi Finals (3pm)
Tuesday, May 14: Final (7.45pm)