Eleven occasion

Regular observers of our Twitter account will know all the facts and figures behind each new day at Cliftonville FC – and we’ve reached yet another significant anniversary.

For today marks 10 years since the Club’s biggest ever victory.

It was on August 30, 2016 that the Reds defeated Lisburn Distillery in a record-breaking League Cup tie that saw two players register hat-tricks.

Cliftonville’s defence of the trophy they had lifted in each of the previous four seasons started with both Chris Curran and Ross Lavery striking the crossbar in an early signal of Gerard Lyttle’s side’s intent.

The opening goal came from a relatively unlikely source when Chris Ramsey headed in from Curran’s corner delivery.

McDaid then netted a quickfire double to make it 3-0 before half-time and, when he was fouled in the box shortly after the restart, the striker picked himself up to convert from the spot and claim the matchball – or so he thought.

Tyrell McCrory’s own goal extended the Reds’ advantage to five ahead of Garrett rounding the keeper to commence his own hat-trick journey.

Mason McSorley pulled one back for Distillery in eye-catching style but it wasn’t long until Curran added his name to the scoresheet for 7-1.

Jude Winchester claimed Cliftonville’s eighth and, after Gary Donnelly and Garrett had taken the hosts into double figures, history was suddenly within reach.

Another goal would eclipse the Club Record 10-1 Irish Cup victory over St Malachy’s way back in 1886, and it duly arrived two minutes from time when Garrett’s free-kick completed his treble and put the seal on a landmark night.

Cliftonville: Burke, Bonner, Ramsey, Curran, McDaid, Garrett, Seydak, Harkin, Winchester, Lavery, Cosgrove. Subs: J Mooney, McGovern (for Ramsey), McGuinness, A Donnelly (for Seydak), G Donnelly (for Harkin).