Cliftonville Triumphs Over Glenavon 2-1, Gordon Eyes More Goals in Irish Premiership

In an exciting encounter at Mourneview Park, Cliftonville edged past Glenavon with a 2-1 victory, securing their second win in as many matches in the Irish Premiership. Shea Gordon, who played a crucial role in the match, reflected on the performance, noting that while there were moments of brilliance, consistency eluded the team at times. Gordon's comments highlighted the mixed nature of Cliftonville's display. "We were good in spells, but not too good in other spells," he remarked to BBC Sport NI. Despite the fluctuations in performance, the importance of securing three points on the road was not lost on the young midfielder. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing away, especially at a venue known for its challenging atmosphere. "At the end of the day coming to a place like here is never easy, but we got the three points," he added, emphasizing the team's determination and resilience. The match saw Gordon score his first league goal for Cliftonville in the 57th minute, following an early opener from Joe Gormley that had given the Reds a 1-0 lead. Gordon, who joined the team in January under the management of Jim Magilton, expressed his relief and joy at finally finding the back of the net. "I've had a few chances since I have come in and getting the first one [goal] is probably the hardest, so it's nice to get the first one out and hopefully there are more to come now," he said, hinting at his eagerness to contribute further as the season progresses. Cliftonville's recent success is particularly noteworthy as they are the reigning Irish Cup champions, a title they last held 45 years ago. However, Gordon was keen to remind fans and teammates alike that past glories must not distract from the current season's ambitions. "We have to be able to push on this season," he asserted, signaling the team's focus on continued improvement. He also set sights on narrowing the gap to league leaders Linfield and Larne, stating, "Of course, we want to close the gap and get as close to them as we can, and we think we are capable of it." With two wins under their belt, Cliftonville is establishing a solid foundation early in the season. The players will be looking to build on this momentum as they continue to challenge for supremacy in the Irish Premiership. As the team aims to improve and push for higher accolades, supporters will undoubtedly be eager to see how Gordon and his teammates rise to the occasion in the weeks to come.