Reds manager Tommy Breslin delighted with second league title

CLIFTONVILLE made a little bit of history today by winning back to back Danske Bank Irish League titles.

The north Belfast team retained the Irish League title for the first time in their history after a 2-0 away win over Portadown.

Goals from Chris Curran and Stephen Garrett goals saw them hold onto the league title.

Afterwards, manager Tommy Breslin quipped: “They will be naming a stand after me – God forbid!”

“But the feelgood factor is back in North Belfast.

“We will enjoy it – and we just so delighted it didn’t go to the last game,” said Breslin, who once turned out for Carrick Rangers.

The win was sealed when Curran fired a low right-foot shot into the bottom corner in the 53rd minute, while Stephen Garrett headed in a Martin Murray cross for 2-0 after 85.

The title wa secured after arch championship rivals Linfield suffered an embarrassing 2-0 defeat to Glentoran at Windsor Park.

Afterwards fans described the defeat as a “shocking performance”.

At the end of the season Linfield will be looking for a new manager after David Jeffrey announced he was leaving the club.

The Reds had ground to make up after an under-par start to the season but their form in recent months proved decisive.

Added Tommy Breslin: “We won 10 and drew one of our last 11 games so I have great admiration for the players and they deserve every credit.

“It feels great – I was always confident we would win it and it is even better than last year. We worked hard since Christmas to cut a big deficit.

“It’s a squad game and everyone has contributed and put a shift in. I’m delighted for everyone involved with the club.

“Good teams win the league once, great teams go on to win it again.”

Cliftonville will be presented with the Gibson Cup after their final league game of the season against north Belfast rivals Crusaders on Saturday.