Monday Monthly: November

Two days on from Cliftonville’s return to training, cliftonvillefc.net today continues a weekly mini-series reflecting on the good, the bad and the in-betweens of the 2025/26 season.

Every Monday between now and the new domestic campaign getting under way, we’ll take a chronological look back on a month from the the term just finished – with November taking centre stage today.

Following a dour goalless draw with Linfield, the Reds shifted their attentions away from the Sports Direct Premiership and on to their continued defence of the BetMcLean Cup.

Their grip on the trophy appeared to be loosening when Premier Intermediate League side Strabane Athletic raced into an early 2-0 lead at Solitude, only for disaster to be averted when Joe Gormley’s 300th Cliftonville goal (above) started a comeback that was complete before half-time thanks to strikes from Micheal Glynn and Jonny Addis.

Joe Sheridan and Conor Falls netted in the second period to ensure safe progress to the quarter-finals, while Addis (above) was on target again a few days later when he opened the scoring in a home League game with Dungannon Swifts ahead of fellow central defender Jack Keaney’s free-kick sealing the points.

Jim Magilton’s side carried their fine form into a testing showdown with Coleraine at Solitude, where victory was secured thanks to Rory Hale (above) providing the finish touch to a sweeping team move for the only goal of the contest.

Cliftonville then booked their place in the County Antrim Shield Final with another come-from-behind win when they visited Ballymena United.

After falling behind just before the break, the visitors were level thanks to Keaney (above) before quickfire finishes from Gormley and Hale put the Reds firmly in control of a battle that was settled by a stunning late free-kick from Keaney.

An encouraging month ended on a winning note when, trailing against the run of play in a Shamrock Park tussle with Portadown, Cliftonville drew level thanks to a smart strike from Sheridan ahead of Ryan Curran converting a penalty and Keaney (above) registering his by now obligatory goal ahead of the hosts claiming a last-gasp consolation as Magilton’s men counted down to a BetMcLean Cup trip to Glentoran for December’s opening duel…

November 2025
Cliftonville 0-0 Linfield

Cliftonville 5-2 Strabane Athletic
Gormley, Glynn, Addis, Sheridan, Falls

Cliftonville 2-0 Dungannon Swifts
Addis, Keaney

Cliftonville 1-0 Coleraine
Hale

Ballymena United 1-4 Cliftonville
Keaney [2], Gormley, Hale

Portadown 2-3 Cliftonville
Sheridan, Curran, Keaney

Player of the Month: Jack Keaney
Goal of the Month: Rory Hale v Coleraine