Hib tone up

Hibernian 5-1 Cliftonville

Cliftonville commenced their pre-season programme with a thorough workout against Hibernian in County Kildare this afternoon.

Staged at the Scottish Premiership side’s training base at Carton House, the occasion saw Jim Magilton hand starts to summer signings Aaron Wightman and Joel Thompson, however fellow new recruits Ben Quinn, Dan O’Connor and former Hibee Kyle McClelland missed out nursing niggles.

A few days on from a youthful XI losing out to Shamrock Rovers in a friendly at Tallaght Stadium, a much stronger Hibs side welcomed their international representatives back to the fold and, in a fast start to the game, took a sixth minute lead when Owen Elding floated over a cross for Jason Kerr to head home.

It wasn’t long before Cliftonville were level, though, with Brian Healy claiming possession in the middle of the park and setting off on a surging run through the middle before providing the pass from which Rory Hale coolly found the far corner.

PJ Morrison then saved from Josh Mulligan and also fielded a long-range Elding attempt before Hibernian restored their advantage just past the half-hour when Nicky Cadden’s shot was turned into his own net via the woodwork by Paul Stanfield.

The Edinburgh side swiftly extended their lead when Republic of Ireland international Jamie McGrath combined with Elding to supply Martin Boyle, with the 41-times capped Australia striker blasting a low drive beyond Morrison.

Early in the second period, Thibault Klidje headed in to put Hibs 4-1 in front before Morrison produced an acrobatic stop to keep Jason Kerr at bay.

At the other end, Joe Gormley saw a long-range chip scale the crossbar and Conor Falls sent an effort wide ahead of keeper Raphael Sallinger denying David Green from close range.

Lewis Gillie’s goalline clearance prevented Cliftonville from pulling one back during a scramble that ended with Gormley shooting off target before Hibernian completed the scoring right at the finish when Klidje applied the finishing touch to Chris Cadden’s ball across the face of goal.

Cliftonville: Morrison, Wightman, Conlan, Kelly, Stanfield, Leppard, Thompson, Wilson, Hale, Healy, Curran. Subs: Ridd (Morrison), Green (Wightman), Sheridan (Stanfield), Falls (Healy), Gormley (Curran), Cassidy (Leppard), Anderson (Hale).