Eu Reds: Hapoel Haifa

Continuing our mini-series of continental anniversaries in the countdown to Cliftonville’s return to European action, we’re turning the clock back 28 years to a landmark outing on the UEFA stage.

For it was on this very day back in 1996 that the Reds registered no fewer than three milestones in an Intertoto Cup Group 1 clash with Hapoel Haifa in Israel.

Trailing 1-0 at the Nahariya Municipal Stadium, Cliftonville’s first ever European goal came courtesy of Scottish midfielder Shaun Strang, whose strike ensured the Club’s first point in European competition. Further to that – and understandably less celebrated – was the Reds’ first ever dismissal in a European game when Tim McCann was sent off.

Cliftonville: Smyth, McDonagh, Flynn, Tabb, Small, Strang, McCann, O’Neill, O’Connor, Stokes, Donnelly.
Subs: Davey, Rice, Feehan, Collins (for McDonagh).

On this day in 2011, meanwhile, the Reds contested a Europa League first qualifying round tie with The New Saints at Park Hall.

Less than a fortnight after securing a friendly victory at the same venue, Tommy Breslin’s side returned to Oswestry and, roared on by a vociferous visiting support, claimed an encouraging 1-1 draw thanks to Barry Johnston’s sensational dipping strike cancelling out an Alex Darlington opener.

Cliftonville: Brown, Caldwell, McMullan, Garrett, M Donnelly, Smyth, Seydak, McVeigh, Catney, R Donnelly, Johnston.
Subs: Duffin, R Scannell (for Seydak), Templeton, Gormley (for R Donnelly), Clarke, Lynch (for McMullan), Bradley.

Today also marks the anniversary of a third 1-1 draw away from home in Europe.

A last-gasp Ross Lavery header ensured the Reds departed Luxembourg with something to show for their efforts at the end of a Europa League first qualifying round contest with Differdange on this date in 2016.

Trailing to Omar Er Rafik’s first-half strike at Stade Municipal de la Ville, Cliftonville pounced with two minutes left on the clock when substitute Lavery got on the end of a Jay Donnelly cross to plant a firm header beyond goalkeeper Julien Weber – sparking scenes of wild jubilation among the visiting support.

Cliftonville: J Mooney, Ives, Bonner, McGuinness, Curran, M Donnelly, Hughes, Catney, Winchester, J Donnelly.
Subs: Burke, McDaid (for Hughes), Garrett, D Murray (for Curran), M Murray, Lavery (for M Donnelly), Cosgrove.