Brian Healy ended his long wait for a goal this season by scoring twice in Cliftonville FC's victory over Portadown. The striker's double secured an important win for the Reds, with football supremo Jim Magilton hailing the quality of the finishes.
Brian Healy had failed to find the net in any competitive fixture for Cliftonville FC during the current campaign before this match. His decisive contribution came against Portadown, where he netted two goals to change the complexion of the game. Magilton was quick to praise the player's performance. "Delighted to see Brian Healy get off the mark for the season," he said. The manager also specifically highlighted the quality of the strikes, calling them "two fantastic goals".
This result provides a positive boost as Cliftonville FC prepares for the new Premiership season. The club finished the 2025 campaign in fifth place, accumulating 47 points from 33 matches. Their record showed 13 wins, 8 draws, and 12 losses, with a recent form guide reading LWWLL. Offensively, they were nearly balanced, scoring 49 goals while conceding 48 across the entire season. That left them with a slender +1 goal difference, but a significant 26 points behind the champions, Larne. Fans can review the full historical standings for more detail on last season's outcomes.
Attention now turns to building momentum ahead of the new season. The next scheduled fixture for the Solitude side is a home match against Coleraine FC on December 12th. Coleraine finished third in the final 2025 table, setting up a challenging early-season encounter. Preparations for that match and the full schedule can be followed on the club's official fixtures page. The squad will be looking to carry the confidence from this win into their pre-season work, with Healy's return to scoring form a major positive.
Healy's return to goalscoring form addresses a key area for Cliftonville FC. Having a forward confidently finding the net is vital for any team with ambitions of improving on last term's fifth-place finish. The club's attacking output last season was solid, and adding a consistent threat from Healy could be the difference in tighter matches. Supporters can examine the current roster and player profiles on the dedicated squad section of the site. The victory over Portadown, driven by Healy's double, offers an encouraging sign as the new campaign approaches. Cliftonville FC's next competitive action is at home to Coleraine on 12 December 2026.
