The month ahead: September

The first domestic Cup action of the season sees Cliftonville kick September off with a North Belfast Derby duel against Crusaders at Solitude tomorrow night.

Following that County Antrim Shield first round tie, the Reds travel to Carrick Rangers on Sports Direct Premiership duty before hosting Ballymena United on the 13th.

A trip to Dungannon Swifts seven days later represents Cliftonville’s final away day in September, which ends with a home game against Portadown on the 27th.

Cliftonville Ladies, meanwhile, return to action when they face Lisburn Ladies at Solitude tonight – a crucial game in hand amid a keenly-contested Sports Direct Women’s Premiership title race.

The Reds then travel to Midgley Park to take on fellow contenders Linfield Women on Friday and, after welcoming Larne Women to Solitude on the 12th, will take on Derry City Women at Moyola Park’s Mill Meadow ground in the semi-finals of the Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Cup on September 19 – 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
Monday, September 1
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership
Cliftonville Ladies v Lisburn Ladies (8pm)

Tuesday, September 2
County Antrim Shield first round
Cliftonville v Crusaders (7.45pm)

Friday, September 5
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership
Linfield Women v Cliftonville Ladies (7.45pm)

Saturday, September 6
Sports Direct Premiership
Carrick Rangers v Cliftonville (3pm)

Friday, September 12
Sports Direct Women’s Premiership
Larne Women v Cliftonville Ladies (7.45pm)

Saturday, September 13
Sports Direct Premiership
Cliftonville v Ballymena United (3pm)

Friday, September 19
Electric Ireland Women’s Irish Cup semi-final
Cliftonville Ladies v Derry City Women (7.45pm)

Saturday, September 20
Sports Direct Premiership
Dungannon Swifts v Cliftonville (3pm)

Saturday, September 27
Sports Direct Premiership
Cliftonville v Portadown (7.45pm)