Cliftonville FC vs Moyola Park

Cliftonville created the first clear chance on 15 minutes when Brian Healy struck the post, but the Reds did not have to wait long for the breakthrough. Healy made amends in the 27th minute, latching on to a defence-splitting pass from Ben Quinn and lifting the ball delicately over the advancing Moyola Park goalkeeper for a composed finish — 1-0.

Joel Thompson should have doubled the lead on the stroke of half-time but headed wide from another Quinn delivery, and the score remained 1-0 at the interval.

Five minutes into the second half, one of two Cliftonville trialists curled an effort just off target. But the Reds did not have to wait much longer. Healy turned provider in the 57th minute, slipping a clever pass through for Joe Sheridan, who strode through on goal and slotted confidently past the goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

The third goal arrived two minutes from time. Cillian Murray, who had entered the fray as a second-half substitute, let fly from range. His effort was turned on to the woodwork by the Moyola Park goalkeeper — the ball was then turned in, with the goal credited to Murray in the official match statistics, though the Cliftonville match report credited Joe Gormley with the tap-in from the rebound.

Healy's 27th-minute opener settled any early nerves and gave Cliftonville a platform to dominate. After hitting the post 12 minutes earlier, the striker showed composure to finish the chance that mattered — and his subsequent assist for Sheridan's goal effectively killed the contest before the hour mark.

Brian Healy — A goal and an assist. Hit the post early but did not let it affect his confidence, scoring the opener with a deft finish and then turning provider for Sheridan's strike. The clear standout.

Joe Sheridan — Took his goal with the assurance of a player in form, running on to Healy's pass and finding the bottom corner. A constant threat in the final third before being substituted on the hour.

Cillian Murray — Credited with the third goal in the official match stats, though the Cliftonville match report suggested Gormley applied the finishing touch from the rebound. Had earlier gone close with a header from a Paudie O'Kane cross.

Dan O'Connor — Given a first Cliftonville appearance after his summer signing, the new recruit slotting in against a physical Moyola Park side.

Cliftonville's 3-0 scoreline reflected a game they controlled without needing to hit top gear. The Reds held a 1-0 half-time lead that could have been wider — Thompson's header wide from a well-worked Quinn delivery was the best of the chances spurned. The second-half goals came in natural rhythm rather than from any sustained pressure, with the game largely played in Moyola Park's half. Solitude's pre-season atmosphere was low-key, but Magilton will have been encouraged by the fluency of his side's attacking combinations, particularly between Healy, Quinn and Sheridan.

This was Cliftonville's second pre-season friendly of the 2026/27 campaign, following a 5-1 defeat to Hibernian at Carton House on 4 July. The result marks their first win of pre-season and their first home outing of the summer. Moyola Park, who won the Premier Intermediate League title in 2025/26, are preparing for life in the Championship this season.

Cliftonville's next friendly is against Newington at Solitude on Saturday 18 July (2pm KO), before continuing their build-up to the new NIFL Premiership season.

A professional, low-intensity exercise for Cliftonville against opponents a division below. Healy's sharpness in front of goal was the main takeaway, while the trialists on show gave Magilton decisions to make. The Reds will face stiffer tests in the weeks ahead, but this was exactly the kind of run-out needed at this stage of pre-season.