Q Radio Sport
League leaders Cliftonville have boosted their title hopes by signing striker Michael McCrudden from Derry City.
The 28-year-old links up with his former Institute manager Paddy McLaughlin at Solitude.
The Reds are currently three points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership from chasing pack Linfield, Coleraine and Glentoran.
Here’s the state of play on New Year’s Day after wins for top 6 - in this order! @cliftonvillefc, @OfficialBlues, @ColeraineFC, @Glentoran @CrusadersFC, @larnefc #DanskeBankPrem ... pic.twitter.com/yApy0LHwYM
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) January 1, 2020
Cliftonville issued this statement on Tuesday night:
"Cliftonville Football Club are delighted to announce the signing of striker Michael McCrudden.
"The 28-year-old, who joins from Derry City, has prior Danske Bank Premiership experience with both Institute and Ballinamallard United and was named Championship Player of the Year by the NI Football Writers’ Association after spearheading Stute’s second-tier title success in 2017/18 – an honour he had also collected four years previously.
"Formerly with Newcastle United, McCrudden had a brief spell with Derry before enjoying two stints at Institute either side of a switch to the Mallards in the summer of 2015.
"His return to the Drumahoe side initiated a link with current Reds boss Paddy McLaughlin, who handed the Gobnascale man the captain’s armband for a campaign that saw the Club soar to the Championship crown.
"The personal accolades continued to stack up in the Premiership, with the first NIFWA gong of last season heading McCrudden’s way before he claimed the rare distinction of two consecutive Goal of the Month awards – the second of which was presented for a well-taken finish against Cliftonville on a day when he found the net four times.
"That quadruple-strike performance contributed to another Player of the Month prize just weeks ahead of the striker returning to Derry, only for a metatarsal injury to curtail his impact for the Candystripes.
"Boss McLaughlin is naturally thrilled to have secured the signature of a proven Premiership goalscorer and is looking forward to renewing his working relationship with McCrudden, who is likewise delighted to have completed his move to Solitude."
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Warrenpoint Town manager Barry Gray has made two more new signings.
He's snapped up Finn Harps defender Colm Deasy and Ryan Swan, a striker from Bohemians.
It follows last week's capture of midfield pair Stuart Hutchinson from the PSNI and Drogheda United's Kealan Dillon.
The Point are bottom of the Danske Bank Premiership on goal difference.
Their next match is away to Glentoran on Saturday.
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Friday 7.45pm -
Coleraine vs Crusaders
Larne vs Carrick Rangers
Saturday 3pm -
Dungannon Swifts vs Ballymena United
Glenavon vs Institute
Glentoran vs Warrenpoint Town
Monday 7.45pm -
Cliftonville v Linfield
Fixture Update 🗓️ | Our previously postponed #DanskeBankPrem game at home to Glenavon has now been rescheduled.
— Glentoran FC (@Glentoran) January 8, 2020
The game will now take place on Tuesday 28th January. Kick-off time will be 19:45! #TimeToClimb 💚🐓 pic.twitter.com/rcFl98JpRM
NEWS: Linfield clash at Inver Park has been re-arranged for Tuesday 28th January. Full details below.#WeAreLarne #BeTheDifference https://t.co/bcWaVo0YUN
— Larne Football Club (@larnefc) January 7, 2020