Close to Victory

All five Cliftonville players on Northern Under-16 duty made positive impressions as the squad came close to Victory Shield glory.

Eamonn Tohill opened the scoring in Tuesday’s 3-3 draw with Wales at Broadwood Stadium, where the Welsh claimed a bonus point courtesy of a 3-1 success on penalties.

Two days later, meanwhile, a fine solo strike from Coran Madden earned a 1-0 victory over hosts Scotland at the same venue, with Kris Lindsay’s side returning to Cumbernauld for yesterday’s winner-takes-all showdown with the Republic.

Though Northern Ireland fell to a 1-0 reverse, it was the Reds’ Emmett Morrison who came closest to levelling with a 25-yard effort that drew a save from the opposition keeper.

Congratulations are also extended to Academy stars Sean Cassidy and Paul Stanfield, who likewise played their part in an encouraging week for Lindsay’s side.