Starting points

Cliftonville 1-0 Glentoran

Ryan Curran’s late strike got Cliftonville’s Danske Bank Premiership campaign off to the perfect start at Glentoran’s expense this afternoon.

Having had an earlier effort disallowed for offside, Curran kept his cool to stroke a composed finish beyond goalkeeper Dayle Coleing with just four minutes left on the clock at Solitude.

It was no less than the Reds deserved after a battling performance that saw them weather something of a first-half storm before growing into the contest after the interval.

Visiting sub Cameron Stewart’s two quickfire bookings saw the visitors numbers reduced in the closing stages, with Cliftonville taking full advantage with yet more late dramatics.

Full report to follow…