Strolling back to action

Cliftonville Strollers will herald the Club’s long-awaited return to footballing action when they contest next week’s rearranged Harry Cavan Youth Cup Final.

The game with Institute Under 18s, which will be staged at Moyola Park’s Mill Meadow home on Wednesday night (7.45pm), will represent the first Reds outing since the Irish Football Association announced a suspension of all sporting activity back in March.

The Strollers commenced their Youth Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over St Mary’s (Newtownabbey) in late October before enjoying a comprehensive 9-0 win against St Oliver Plunkett U18s in November’s Third Round tie.

After claiming a dramatic Quarter-Final triumph when Dungannon Swifts U18s visited Solitude in January, the Wee Reds booked their place in the much-delayed decider when they overcame Glentoran 2-1 at Seaview on March 7 – just hours after the senior side had earned three Danske Bank Premiership points at The Oval.

Everyone at the Club naturally wishes the Wee Reds well for next week’s showdown with Stute and here’s hoping that their long wait for a shot at silverware ends with a trophy celebration.