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Wind over

Armagh City 0-3 Cliftonville

Three second-half goals saw Cliftonville booked their place in the semi-finals of the BetMcLean Cup at the expense of Armagh City at a wet and windy Holm Park this evening.

Though a swirling breeze made effective football all but impossible during the opening 45 minutes, the Reds took firm control after the break courtesy of finishes from Ryan Curran and Rory Hale before substitute Coran Madden wrapped things up late on.

Cliftonville dominated proceedings from the off but a hard-working City backline combined with unpredictable elements made for a largely frustrating opening period that saw Hale and Curran go close to breaking the deadline.

At the other end, Lewis Ridd had to show good hands to field a blistering Ethan Jordan free-kick from virtually the halfway line and, when the keeper was unable to maintain a grip on a long throw in, the Reds got off the hook when Conor Mullen steered his attempt against the post with a close-range follow-up blocked on the line.

The deadlock was broken early in the second period when Micheal Glynn crossed for Curran to nod home and, as the visitors went in search of another, a fierce attempt from Taylor Steven was kept out by Conner Byrne, who was helpess to prevent Curran sending the loose ball Hale’s way, only for the midfielder to scale the crossbar.

He made no such mistake soon later, though, when he found the bottom corner after receiving a pass from Glynn in a dangerous position.

Ridd’s save from Lee McMenemy ensured there would be no nervy finish for the visitors and, indeed, there was still time for the security of a third goal which came when Jack Berry raced through to tee up fellow substitute Madden for a simple finish.

Cliftonville: Ridd, Kearney, Hale (Pettifer 67), Curran (Ojo 74), Doherty, Piesold, Glynn, Casey, Wilson, Steven (Madden 67), Corrigan (Berry 74). Unused subs: Odumosu, Pepper, Gormley.