Double double century

Not only did Saturday’s Sports Direct Premiership victory over Carrick Rangers represent the Reds’ second win at Taylors Avenue this season, it also delivered another notable double on the teamsheet.

Both Rory Hale and Jonny Addis made their 200th appearances for the Club; the skipper marking his milestone day with a typical all-action display in the middle of the park, with defender Addis contributing a steadfast performance at the back.

Hale – who, with 37 strikes and 62 assists to his name, is one shy of a century of goal involvements in Cliftonville colours – made his debut in a last-gasp victory over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on January 2, 2021 and opened his goal account in a 2-2 draw with former employers Crusaders seven days later, with the weekend’s encounter at Carrick bringing about his 181st start.

Addis, meanwhile, made his bow against the Gers in August 2021 following a summer move from Ballymena United.

His late finish in August’s 3-1 win over Glenavon was his 15th goal for the Club during a four-year stint that has also seen him provide 10 assists, with Saturday’s clash in east Antrim the 192nd time he has appeared in a Reds starting XI.

Though neither player was able to celebrate the landmark by getting on the scoresheet, Shaun Leppard’s 16th minute header saw him become the latest Cliftonville player to claim their first goal for the Club and eighth to do so this season, following on from Micheal Glynn (St Joseph’s), Harry Wilson (Glenavon), Callum McCay (Crusaders), Adebayo Fapetu (Ballymena United), Sean Robertson (Coagh United), Keevan Hawthorne and Tom Lavery (both Linfield).