Monday Monthly: March

As Cliftonville’s preparations for the 2024/25 season continue, cliftonvillefc.net maintains a weekly mini-series reflecting on the good, the bad and the in-betweens of last term.

Every Monday between now and the new domestic campaign getting under way, we’re taking a chronological look back on a month from the the year just finished – with a marvellous March taking centre stage today.

The Reds only played three fixtures over the course of the month but two Clearer Water Irish Cup wins either side of three welcome Sports Direct Premiership points set up a grandstand finale to the season.

A tricky Irish Cup quarter-final assignment was negotiated when a Luke Wilson own goal broke the deadlock at Shamrock Park, where Sam Ashford’s last-minute clincher put the seal on things.

Ashford was on target again the following week when Cliftonville travelled to Loughgall, but the injury he sustained in the process of opening the scoring at Lakeview Park ruled him out until the final day of the League season.

The hosts levelled just before half-time but Ronan Hale’s well-timed run and cool finish restored the Reds’ lead before a solo effort from Shea Kearney (below) made it 3-1 ahead of Nathaniel Ferris bagging his second of the day deep into injury-time.

Cliftonville then delivered arguably their best performance of the season when they went head-to-head with Larne on Irish Cup semi-final duty at Windsor Park.

Ahead when Jonny Addis rose to nod in at the far post just past the half-hour, the Reds secured their place in the decider when Ronan Hale (above) leathered home five minutes from time as Jim Magilton’s side took a giant stride towards earning their place in Club folklore.

March 2024
Portadown 0-2 Cliftonville
OG, Ashford

Loughgall 2-3 Cliftonville
Ashford, Ronan Hale, Kearney

Cliftonville 2-0 Larne
Jonny Addis, Ronan Hale

Player of the Month: Jonny Addis
Goal of the Month: Shea Kearney v Loughgall