Cliftonville FC advance to County Antrim Shield semi-finals with narrow win

Ben Quinn’s decisive touch secured Cliftonville FC a place in the County Antrim Shield semi-finals with a 1-0 victory over Glentoran at Solitude. The win offers a key morale boost for a side sitting ninth in the Premiership with just 12 points from 11 games, having lost their last five league matches.

Quinn struck nine minutes after the restart, finishing a swift counter-attack that began from a Glentoran corner. Goalkeeper PJ Morrison gathered the delivery and launched the ball forward. After a defender initially kept it at bay, Brian Healy returned the ball to Quinn, whose touch beat Billy Crellin.

Healy and Morrison provide platform

Healy’s assist and Morrison’s long pass were the platform for the win, though Cliftonville had chances to extend their lead through Rory Hale, Harry Wilson and Healy himself. Glentoran twice hit the woodwork through Ross Clarke and Ben Gallagher but could not find an equaliser, allowing Cliftonville to hold on for a clean sheet.

Manager Jim Magilton will hope the cup success can spark an improvement in league form ahead of Saturday’s home fixture against Portadown, who are 11th in the table. The semi-final against Bangor is scheduled for next month, giving the Reds a tangible target to chase as they look to climb from their current position in the standings.

First reported at Cliftonville Football Club