Monday Monthly: November

On the approach to Cliftonville’s first outing of the 2024/25 season, cliftonvillefc.net continues a new weekly mini-series reflecting on the good, the bad and the in-betweens of last term.

Every Monday between now and the new domestic campaign getting under way, we’re taking a chronological look back on a month from the the year just finished – with a slow-build November taking centre stage today.

Punished for their wastefulness in a Sports Direct Premiership clash with Larne at Inver Park, the Reds could at least take the positive of Ronan Hale making a return to goalscoring action after a lengthy spell out injured, but there was no such solace to be found when the team tamely exited the BetMcLean Cup at the hands of Dungannon Swifts a few days later.

A League date with Newry City afforded Cliftonville an opportunity to get back to winning ways and, though they had only a Hale goal to show for it, the three points provided a platform which was fully built on when Hale joined brother Rory and fellow injury-returnee Stephen Mallon on the scoresheet in a comprehensive success against Carrick Rangers at Loughview Leisure Arena (above).

A month which had started so slowly ended with an explosive North Belfast Derby victory over Crusaders; Joe Gormley’s close-range conversion breaking the deadlock before Rory Hale (above) and Ben Wilson completed the job in the second-half to ensure it was with an upbeat mood that the Reds approached December’s challenges.

November 2023
Larne 2-1 Cliftonville
Ronan Hale

Dungannon Swifts 1-0 Cliftonville

Cliftonville 1-0 Newry City
Ronan Hale

Carrick Rangers 0-3 Cliftonville
Rory Hale, Ronan Hale, Stephen Mallon

Cliftonville 3-0 Crusaders
Gormley, Rory Hale, Wilson

Player of the Month: Rory Hale
Goal of the Month: Ronan Hale v Carrick Rangers