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Barry Town United 0-0 Cliftonville

Cliftonville were unable to force an away goal as Barry Town United held on for a 0-0 draw in this evening’s Europa League Preliminary Round first leg.

Despite enjoying large spells of possession and carving out the contest’s only real chances, the Reds saw promising efforts from Chris Curran, Rory Donnelly and Conor McMenamin come and go before substitute Ryan Curran just failed to get a touch to a teasing free-kick delivery in the closing minutes.

In blistering heat at Cardiff’s Leckwith Stadium, Paddy McLaughlin handed debuts to Conor McDermott and Ronan Doherty and, in an encouraging start, Garry Breen and Donnelly each tested their luck before Chris Curran’s low blast drew a good save from Barry goalkeeper Mike Lewis.

After the break, Donnelly saw an effort charged down and also sent a low strike whistling just wide before McMenamin slammed an attempt into the side netting.

As the clock ticked down and Cliftonville grew ever more desperate for a deserved winning goal, Ryan Curran was unable to react quickly enough to divert Aaron Harkin’s set-piece into the net before McDermott blasted over from distance as the hosts saw things out.

Cliftonville: Brush, McDermott, Ives, Breen, C Curran, Harkin, R Donnelly, Bagnall, Doherty, McMenamin, Gorman. Subs: Dunne, Harney, R Curran (for McMenamin, 83 mins), Foster, Wilson, Gormley (for Doherty, 79 mins), Maguire (for McDermott, 90 mins).