The month ahead: October

A new month brings fresh challenges as Cliftonville gear up for six fixtures across three competitions in October, while our Ladies team are preparing for what they hope is a trophy-laden conclusion to their season.

After visiting Limavady United in the first round of the BetMcLean Cup this evening, Jim Magilton’s side will be on their travels again when they take on Carrick Rangers on Sports Direct Premiership duty on Saturday.

Next Tuesday sees the Reds host Ballymena United in a County Antrim Shield quarter-final tie, with Solitude also providing the venue for League duty with Glenavon on Saturday the 19th.

Three days later, a rearranged contest with Coleraine marks a third consecutive home game for the Reds, who end the month by going toe to toe with Linfield at Windsor Park on the 26th.

Cliftonville Ladies will, meanwhile, bid to be crowned Sports Direct Women’s Premiership Champions for the second time in three years when they face Glentoran Women at Solitude on Sunday evening.

John McGrady’s side will then bring their League programme to a conclusion with a North Belfast Derby duel against Crusaders Strikers at Seaview on the 11th before taking on Lisburn Rangers in an eagerly-anticipated Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Cup Final eight days later – so be sure that all of those dates are in your diary as we gear up for another big run of matches.

This month’s fixtures
Tuesday, October 1
BetMcLean Cup first round
Limavady United v Cliftonville (7.45pm)

Saturday, October 5
Sports Direct Premiership
Carrick Rangers v Cliftonville (3pm)

Sunday, October 7
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership
Cliftonville Ladies v Glentoran Women (6pm)

Tuesday, October 8
County Antrim Shield quarter-final
Cliftonville v Ballymena United (7.45pm)

Friday, October 11
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership
Crusaders Strikers v Cliftonville Ladies (7.45pm)

Saturday, October 19
Sports Direct Premiership
Cliftonville v Glenavon (2.30pm)

Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Cup Final
Cliftonville Ladies v Lisburn Rangers (Windsor Park, 7pm)

Tuesday, October 22
Sports Direct Premiership
Cliftonville v Coleraine (7.45pm)

Saturday, October 26
Sports Direct Premiership
Linfield v Cliftonville (3pm)