Curran’s port of call

Cliftonville 1-1 Southport

Cliftonville today bade a formal farewell to Chris Curran, who emerged from the bench for the final 25 minutes of this afternoon’s friendly with Southport.

Though a combination of a tight angle and defensive numbers denied him a fairytale goal to sign off with, the Reds’ Irish Cup winning captain enjoyed rousing receptions before, during and after the match – not to mention a couple of barbs from the Understand in the aftermath of an overhit pass.

Both of the game’s goals preceded Curran’s introduction, with Luke Burgess putting Southport in front before Joe Gormley swiftly levelled matters in the first-half.

Both sides had chances to win it after the interval, with visiting striker Tunde Owolabi bringing a fantastic save out of Declan Breen while, at the other end, Curran found himself squeezed out before a Ryan Corrigan miskick and Shaun Leppard header proved Cliftonville’s most presentable opportunities.

Cliftonville: Breen, Addis (Newberry), Leppard, Jordan (Stewart), Gordon (Doherty), Gormley (Corrigan), Trialist A (Berry), McGuinness (Conlan), Trialist B (C Curran), Wylie (Kearney), Sheridan (Donnelly). Unused subs: Odumosu.