The month ahead: January

The changing of the year brings fresh challenges as Cliftonville gear up for action in two competitions during January.

After starting their defence of the Clearer Water Irish Cup in Saturday’s fifth round tie with Banbridge Rangers – for which tickets are now available online – the Reds return to Sports Direct Premiership duty when they face Larne at Inver Park on Friday, January 10.

Loughgall provide the opposition at Solitude on the 18th before Jim Magilton takes his side to Windsor Park for a Saturday night showdown with Linfield seven days later – so be sure that all of those dates are in your diary as we gear up for some huge tussles to kick 2025 off.

This month’s fixtures
Saturday, January 4
Clearer Water Irish Cup fifth round
Cliftonville v Banbridge Rangers (3pm)

Friday, January 10
Sports Direct Premiership
Larne v Cliftonville (7.45pm)

Saturday, January 18
Sports Direct Premiership
Cliftonville v Loughgall (3pm)

Saturday, January 25
Sports Direct Premiership
Linfield v Cliftonville (5.30pm)