Eu Reds: Tiligul Tiraspol

Just hours ahead of the draw for the first qualifying round of this season’s UEFA Conference League, cliftonvillefc.net kicks off an annual mini series of European anniversaries – starting with a stirring performance in Moldova.

It was 24 years ago this very day that the Reds, barely refreshed since the end of the Irish League’s domestic season, took on Tiligul Tiraspol in the Intertoto Cup.

Despite falling behind to a ninth minute penalty from Serghei Covalciuc, Laurence Stitt’s side battled gamely and avoided the concession of any further goals to claim a respectable first leg result in front of a 4,000-strong crowd at the Stadion Municipal (pictured), ensuring the tie remained in the balance ahead of the return meeting at Solitude a week later.

Cliftonville: Straney, R Scannell, Mulvenna, Adams, Quinn, O’Kane, Wall, Trainor, C Scannell, McCallion, Donnelly.
Subs: Rooney (for O’Kane), Johnston (for Trainor), Treanor (for C Scannell).