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Great value for a Tenor

Though the dramatics were reserved for late on in Cliftonville’s victory over Glenavon yesterday, a Solitude showdown with the Lurgan Blues six years ago today saw supporters treated to some unorthodox and unexpected pre-match entertainment.

For unknown to the Red Army, operatic tenor David Lynn was sat in the Main Stand Lower as part of a hidden camera stunt by BBC Radio Ulster and the NI Opera, whose presentation of Puccini’s Turandot had that week played to much acclaim in Belfast’s Grand Opera House.

With kick-off in the clash with Glenavon fast approaching, the production’s most famous aria – certainly as far as football fans are concerned – ‘Nessun Dorma’ began playing on Solitude’s PA system and, as fans around him were making their way to their seats and conducting their own pre-match discussions, Mayo man David took to his feet and led the singing in a manner we can confidently claim our stadium has never seen before or since.

The BBC’s cameras captured the occasion in stunning detail and you can enjoy David’s performance, plus the reaction of a stunned Cliftonville support, all over again in the video below.