The month ahead: December

Having been on the road for their last five games, Cliftonville can look forward to some long overdue home comforts in a six-game fixture list that takes in three competitions across December.

After hosting Ballymena United on Danske Bank Premiership duty on Saturday, the Reds will then welcome Linfield to Solitude for a County Antrim Shield semi-final showdown on Tuesday, December 7.

A Premiership trip to Portadown on the 11th represents the only away day of the month, while Ballymena back at Solitude three days later for a League Cup last-four tie.

Cliftonville then tackle Carrick Rangers in their final pre-Christmas outing on the 18th before wrapping the month – and indeed the year – up with the slightly delayed festive derby with Crusaders on the 27th, so be sure to add all of those dates to your diary as the Reds bid to sign off from 2021 with a positive run.

This month’s fixtures
Saturday, December 4
Danske Bank Premiership
Cliftonville v Ballymena United (3pm)

Tuesday, December 7
County Antrim Shield semi-final
Cliftonville v Linfield (7.45pm)

Saturday, December 11
Danske Bank Premiership
Portadown v Cliftonville (3pm)

Tuesday, December 14
League Cup semi-final
Cliftonville v Ballymena United (7.45pm)

Saturday, December 18
Danske Bank Premiership
Cliftonville v Carrick Rangers (3pm)

Monday, December 27
Danske Bank Premiership
Cliftonville v Crusaders (3pm)