Monday Monthly: February

With just three days until Cliftonville return to Europa League Preliminary Round action, cliftonvillefc.net continues a weekly mini-series reflecting on the good, the bad and the in-betweens of the 2018/19 season.

Every Monday, we’re taking a chronological look back on a new month from the campaign – with a promising February taking centre stage today.

Paddy McLaughlin took up residence in the Solitude dugout for the Danske Bank Premiership clash with Newry City and, having made Chairman Gerard Lawlor a tongue-in-cheek promise that he would record a long overdue clean sheet in his first game in charge, duly delivered as Conor McMenamin’s early strike proved enough to earn all three points.

After overcoming Longford Town in a friendly, the Reds returned to League duty at Warrenpoint Town and made it two shut-outs in a row which, combined with a second-half double from Ryan Curran, made for a rewarding afternoon at The Q Radio Arena.

The month would conclude in defeat against Ballymena United at The Showgrounds where, after falling 2-0 behind, Cliftonville rallied in the aftermath of a Rory Donnelly goal, leaving new boss McLaughlin with plenty of optimism going into the season’s final straight.

February ended with supporters nominating Caoimhin McConnell their Sean Graham Player of the Month as the Reds headed into March with the beginnings of some late-season momentum…

Febuary 2019
Cliftonville 1-0 Newry City
McMenamin

Cliftonville 2-1 Longford Town
Gormley, R Donnelly

Warrenpoint Town 0-2 Cliftonville
R Curran

Ballymena United 2-1 Cliftonville
R Donnelly