CURRAN DOUBLE SECURES TOP SIX SPOT
Ryan Curran bagged both goals as Cliftonville secured a post-split top six spot with victory over Portadown at Shamrock Park.
Cliftonville got off to a storming start with three chances in quick succession from Rory Hale, Daire O'Connor and Chris Curran with further opportunities presenting themselves for Michael McCrudden and Aaron Donnelly.
Then, on 14 minutes, Chris Curran almost opened the scoring with a hooked effort from O'Connor's cross but Jacob Carney did well to save.
Carney then denied O'Connor again midway through the first half before, on 27 minutes, Ryan Curran opened the scoring after stabbing the ball home from Hale's scuffed effort which appeared to be going wide.
And Ryan Curran doubled Cliftonville's lead six minutes after that, this time with a deflected finish off Adam McCallum after McCrudden created the opening.
Cliftonville continued to push forward with Donnelly coming close with a low effort while Carney then produced a great diving save to tip away a McCrudden lob.
However Portadown pulled one back a minute from the break. A loose ball from a corner fell for Ben Tilney who responded with a volley from inside the area which deflected off Garry Breen on its way past Aaron McCarey.
Ports keeper Carney produced another good stop to deny Ryan O'Reilly early in the second half before, just after the hour, Hale sliced an effort wide of the right post.
Then, on 73 minutes, Donnelly fired over the top which was followed moments later by McCrudden's poked effort wide.
Cliftonville came closest to restoring their two-goal cushion late in the game after O'Connor's initial effort was let slip by Carney but he recovered to stop the ball creeping over the line.
Portadown: Carney, Hall, McCallum, Finnegan, McKeown, Tipton, Salley, Bonis, Conaty, Kerr, Tilney subs Buchanan (not used), Lavery (not used), Murray (not used), Guy (replaced Conaty 67), Teggart (replaced Tipton 74), Warde (replaced McKeown 60), Scannell (not used)
Cliftonville: McCarey, O'Reilly, Breen, C. Curran, O'Connor, R. Curran, McCrudden, Donnelly, Bagnall, Hale, Lowe subs Dunne (not used), Harney (not used), Doherty (replaced Hale 86), Casey (not used), Kearns (not used), O'Neill (replaced C. Curran 82), Coffey (not used)
Substitution 
Substitution 
