Cliftonville FC's youth team has learned its potential UEFA Youth League opponents, while a key women's player has earned a monthly award. The club's official website reported both developments this week, alongside the senior men's team sitting seventh in the Premiership with six points from four games.
Cliftonville Strollers, the club's under-18 side, have been placed in Group 2 for the UEFA Youth League Domestic Champions Path draw. According to the club's report, the Wee Reds will be paired with one of five potential opponents: SK Super Nova of Latvia, Ballkani from Kosovo, HJK Helsinki of Finland, UNA Strassen from Luxembourg, or Cardiff Met of Wales. The draw process took place in Nyon, Switzerland, reducing the list of possible teams for the young Reds.
The first round of the competition is scheduled for September 16 and October 14. The pairings for the subsequent second and third phases of the Youth League will also be confirmed. Cliftonville Strollers qualified for Europe by winning the NIFL Under-18 Academy League last season.
Cliftonville FC midfielder Teegan Lynch has been named the Sports Direct Women's Premiership Player of the Month for August by the NI Football Writers' Association. The 23-year-old scored six goals during the month, helping the Reds reach the Irish Cup semi-finals and extend their lead at the top of the table to eight points.
Lynch, speaking to the club's media, stressed the team is not getting carried away. "We had a great month but no one is getting carried away," she said. She will be part of the squad travelling to Brandywell Stadium for a Premiership clash with Derry City. The midfielder also noted the competitive nature of the league, stating every game is now a battle.
The senior Cliftonville men's side currently occupies seventh place in the Premiership standings. They have taken six points from their opening four matches, recording two wins and two losses. Their goal difference stands at +1, having scored five times and conceded four.
This form leaves the Reds four points behind early leaders Coleraine FC. Their recent sequence of results reads loss, loss, win, win. The next opportunity to close that gap comes in a home fixture against the table-toppers. Fans can find details of that and all upcoming matches on the club's fixtures schedule.
The team's next Premiership assignment is a home match against league leaders Coleraine FC on December 12, 2026.
