Cliftonville vs Linfield 04/05/24

CLIFTONVILLE 2024 CUP FINAL SQUAD

Nathan Gartside Goalkeeper

Orann Donnelly Goalkeeper

Conor Pepper Defender

David Odumosu Goalkeeper

Signed from St Patrick’s Athletic following an impressive loan spell, David began his career with hometown side Dundalk and was part of the Drogheda United side that won the Airtricity League First Division title in 2020. A former Republic of Ireland Under-20 international, the 23-year-old has recorded 15 clean sheets so far this season.

Nathan (28) joined Cliftonville from Derry City in the opening weeks of the 2022-23 season. Formerly with Institute and Watford, the ex-Northern Ireland Under-21 goalkeeper was called into Ian Baraclough’s senior international squad a couple of years ago and, after spending much of the current campaign providing competition to David Odumosu, returned to the starting XI for the recent clashes with Crusaders and Glentoran.

Another player who has caught the eye while playing for the Cliftonville Academy, young goalkeeper Orann found himself part of a handful of senior matchday squads during the 2021 22 season and penned his first professional contract in November of last year. Still awaiting his senior debut, the Ballycastle teenager (19) forms part of a strong goalkeepers union at Solitude.

A former Republic of Ireland Under-19 international, Conor began his senior career with St Patrick’s Athletic and moved to Inverness Caledonian Thistle before winning the Scottish League One title with Greenock Morton in 2015. The Dubliner’s first taste of the Irish League came at Glentoran prior to a stint with Linfield and, having won the Irish Cup with both, will hope to mark his 30th birthday with a third honour today.

Jonny Addis Defender

Odhran Casey Defender

Shea Kearney Defender

Sean Stewart Defender

On loan from Norwich City, Sean (21) has been a regular in the Canaries’ Under-18 and Under-23 teams in recent years. Having previously worked with Reds boss Jim Magilton in the underage Northern Ireland international set-up, marauding full back Stewart has impressed since marking his debut with a goal and will bid to shake off a recent injury concern to feature this afternoon.

An experienced central defender of some repute, Jonny moved to Solitude from Ballymena United in the summer of 2021. The 31-year-old former Carrick Rangers and Glentoran man, who was named in the NIFL Premiership Team of the Year, has been one of the team’s top performers since arriving at Solitude and was on the scoresheet in the semi-final victory over Larne.

Handed his debut by caretaker manager Michael Press in January 2019, Academy graduate Casey is a versatile talent who recently made his Northern Ireland Under-21 debut. The 22-year-old defender, who won the Championship title on loan at Newry City in 2022, has popped up with a couple of vital late goals this season and is today out to end a strong campaign by earning his first senior trophy with the Reds.

Handed his first professional contract last summer, Shea (20) caught the eye with a string of impressive pre-season performances. Having made his debut in September 2022, the marauding defender is one of an ever-increasing number of Academy graduates in Jim Magilton’s senior Reds squad and has been no stranger to the scoresheet during the campaign.

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