Goalkeeper David Morrison played through a rib injury to help Cliftonville FC secure a 3-1 Premiership victory over Portadown on Saturday. The win saw Brian Healy score twice and Ben Quinn net against his former club.
Morrison had been forced off early in the previous match against Dungannon Swifts, raising concerns over his fitness. He passed a late test to start and produced a vital first-half save to deny Eamon Fyfe when the score was 1-0. Manager Jim Magilton praised the Scottish shot-stopper's determination. "He had a late fitness test and showed great courage today," Magilton said on the club's website. "Anyone that has ever suffered a rib injury will surely testify that it’s pretty sore, so he had to be ready for the game."
Brian Healy opened his account for the season with a well-taken brace. Both goals came from assists by Dean McMaster, with Magilton highlighting the striker's strength and composure. Summer signing Ben Quinn, who joined from Portadown, added the third goal against his old side. Magilton felt his team could have been more clinical but was pleased with the attacking threat shown for large parts of the game. The manager pointed to missed chances at 3-0 that allowed Portadown a route back into the match through Fyfe's 65th-minute consolation.
The three points were important for Cliftonville following their surprise loss to Dungannon Swifts the previous week. Morrison, who signed a contract extension in April to stay at Solitude until 2028, has been a consistent performer since joining from Alloa Athletic ahead of the 2025/26 season. His availability is key for a squad that faces a busy schedule.
The victory showed the squad's depth, with 16-year-old Matthew Belshaw having made his debut the week before. Quinn's immediate impact against his former club is a positive sign, while Healy finding his scoring touch is a major boost. The team's current form will be tested in their upcoming matches. For a full view of the players available to Magilton, visit our squad page. The manager's focus will now shift to preparing for the next league fixture, aiming to build momentum from this important away win.
