Matchday Guide: Cliftonville

COLERAINE start their 2022/23 season with the visit of Cliftonville to The Showgrounds…

Danske Bank Premiership

Overview:

The Bannsiders finalised their pre-season schedule with a 4-1 win against Ards last weekend as Evan McLaughlin (2), Lee Lynch and James McLaughlin were amongst the goals. Oran Kearney’s men will be looking to improve on last season’s sixth position in the table and they could hand competitive debuts to Dean Jarvis, Michael McCrudden, Kieran Farren, Lee Lynch, Evan McLaughlin, Jack O’Mahony, Dean Brown and Conor McDermott following their summer moves to The Showgrounds. Furthermore, a record number of season tickets have been sold for the 2022/23 campaign.

Cliftonville were back early as they competed in the Europa Conference League against Slovakian side FC DAC 1904, where they lost 5-1 on aggregate. The Reds had a successful campaign last time out as they pushed Linfield all the way in the battle for the Gibson Cup, as well as securing the BetMcLean League Cup. Paddy McLaughlin has been busy adding to his squad as Nathan Gartside, Fynn Talley (loan), Jamie Robinson, Luke Turner Gerard Storey, Ronan Hale and Stephen Mallon have all made the switch to Solitude.

Previous meetings:

The two sides met each other on six occasions last season – with Cliftonville winning five and drawing one. The first went in the way of the Reds as they won 2-1 last August through strikes from Joe Gormley and an own goal from Stephen O’Donnell, whilst Aaron Traynor netted at the other end. Three months later, it would prove to be a case of two strong defences as the game finished scoreless at The Showgrounds. Frustratingly, the Bannsiders would hit the crossbar through Eoin Bradley, with the woodwork also denying Jonny Addis late on.

However, Cliftonville would pocket all three points in February this year as Ryan Curran netted a brace after the break in north Belfast, with the Reds also overcoming Coleraine in the quarter-final of the Irish Cup through second-half efforts from Joe Gormley and Jamie McDonagh. The showpiece decider in the League Cup would also go in the way of Paddy McLaughlin’s side as they won 4-3 after extra-time to deny the Bannsiders back-to-back triumphs in the competition.

The final meeting would be in the post-split fixtures as title challengers Cliftonville led 2-0 at the break as Ryan Curran and Joe Gormley both found the back of the net. Despite a late effort from Eoin Bradley, the Stripes couldn’t get back into the contest with Jamie Glackin also shown a straight red card.

Manager’s Thoughts:

“We’re through that phase now, that competitive and non-competitive phase, and we’re looking forward to this weekend,” admitted boss Oran Kearney.

“It’s the first game of a new season and everybody’s glad to be back. There’ll be plenty of adrenaline and there’s always a big game atmosphere on the first day.

“Last year is history and it’s up to us to make sure we get off on the right foot. The fans have been brilliant every year and ideally it’s our job to get things right on the pitch so that they keep coming back.

“With the changes that we’ve made I feel we’ll be good to watch and it should be an exciting season for us. But home advantage is so important and we need the noise and everything that comes with it.

“Last season we didn’t get off to a good start and then we recovered well. Until you have your first league points of the season you never really feel you’re up and running. The sooner they can come the better.

“Three points get you up and running no matter how you get them and that’ll be our aim this weekend.”

Officials:

The match referee will be Lee Tavinder.

The assistant referees are Ken Ross and Bogdan Sfirloaga.

Shane McGonigle has been selected as the fourth official.

Sponsors:

The match sponsor is Lynas.

Robert Campbell and Jonny Malcolmson have kindly agreed to sponsor the match ball.

The mascots tomorrow afternoon are Rowan Turner and Olivia Thompson.

The Man of the Match award will be sponsored by Holley Optometrists.

Admission:

Season tickets are valid for the fixture, although, non-season ticket holders will require matchday tickets for the fixture which can be bought online HERE.

Cliftonville fans will also need tickets to enter the stadium which can be purchased HERE.

Both sets of supporters are kindly asked to read the following matchday arrangements HERE.

If you are not feeling yourself tomorrow afternoon and you have symptoms which you feel are similar to COVID-19, please stay away from the stadium and think of others.

If you have access to a lateral flow/PCR test at home, we would encourage you to check yourself before coming to the game.

If you have been in contact with a positive case and haven’t yet been contacted by track and trace, please do not come to the game.

As ever, those unable to watch the fixture can follow the latest developments via the club’s official Twitter account (@ColeraineFC).