Strikers Donnelly and Ojo to depart Cliftonville
Strikers Ruaidhri Donnelly and Destiny Ojo will depart Cliftonville upon the expiration of their contracts.Donnelly brings the curtain down on an injury-hit third spell with the Reds after joining in July 2024.The 33-year-old made just 13 league appearances, the last of which came in November.He found the net once, scoring once in a 3-1 defeat against Larne in September."I want thank Jim [Magilton] for the chance he gave me to put a Reds top back on, always an honour wearing that top," Donnelly posted on X, external. "It has been a difficult and frustrating season on and off the pitch for myself and I truly believe no player deserves a contract without fighting for one, which I was unable to do due to injury."The Reds fan base is something else. Thank you, Cliftonville Football Club, once a Red, always a Red."Donnelly made 70 appearances during his first spell with the north Belfast side before impressive form earned a move to Swansea City in January 2012.Also representing Tranmere Rovers and Gillingham while playing in England, he returned to Cliftonville in the summer of 2017.The forward then joined Glentoran on transfer deadline day in January 2021 and also had a spell at Newington in the Championship.Ojo signed in August last year after being released by Portsmouth and featured 14 times for the Reds in all competitions.He scored twice in Cliftonville's run to the BetMcLean League Cup final, including a dramatic extra time winner against Larne in the semi-final win.The 20-year-old was an unused substitute in Jim Magilton's side 1-0 victory over Glentoran in the decider."Thank you for everything last season, all the best for the future," he said in a post on X, external.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Reuters
an hour ago
- Reuters
Italy rocked in Oslo as Spalletti hints at crisis talks
June 6 (Reuters) - Coach Luciano Spalletti admitted Italy are going through a difficult patch after their humbling loss in Norway and said he would speak with the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) about the situation. Italy have not reached a World Cup since 2014 — a painful drought for a nation that once stood proudly among football's elite with four world titles to their name. With an abysmal start to the qualifying campaign, after being dominated by Norway in a 3-0 loss in Oslo on Friday, Spalletti is already under pressure. His side were constantly punished by a Norwegian team that dominated on the counterattack and they were clearly second best on a rainy night at Ullevaal Stadium. "We need a bit more enthusiasm, as individuals. We need to add something more, otherwise something has got to change," Spalletti told reporters. "This is not who we are, because in terms of individuals, we can do more, but you can also see this is a difficult moment. A few things did happen to us, but this is the squad I chose and will continue with," he added. When asked about his position as the manager of the Italian national team, Spalletti admitted that there would be difficult conversation coming up with the FIGC. "I need to talk to President (Gabriele) Gravina about their intentions, their view on the decision I make," Spalletti said. "I chose this group because I thought there was quality, but if we are so fragile that we don't keep an offside trap, we don't chase down opponents, then there is a lack of confidence. "Quality isn't enough without that." Spalletti was also asked if he is worried that the World Cup might be already out of reach after the Norway loss. "There are always worries, because after a performance like that, you clearly have to ask yourself questions and realise there are problems, but you have to face them, because there is no other possibility," he said.
BBC News
an hour ago
- BBC News
Slicker endures horror debut - but who is Scotland's seventh-choice keeper?
Cieran Slicker flashed a quick smile at head coach Steve Clarke as he bounded on to the Hampden pitch six minutes and 37 seconds into Scotland's friendly with Iceland to replace stricken starter Angus 64 seconds later, the debutant took a panicked slash at a Kieran Tierney pass back and the ball eventually found its way to Andri Gudjohnsen, who arced a fine finish high over the stranded smile was gone. The misery was just beginning. Indeed, the next hour might be among the worst Slicker will endure in his career. How did the nightmare unfold? Slicker didn't really have any time to acclimatise to international mistake - and a relatively small one at that - one goal. confidence was visibly shaken and he rushed his next couple of kicks before unconvincingly clinging on to a shot from Jon Dagur Thorsteinsson at the second attempt. It was his only save of the second Iceland goal was caused by dreadful work by the entire Scotland defence, culminating with Slicker failing to scramble the ball off his line after it ricocheted towards goal off Lewis should have been an opportunity to regroup and reset, but the third concession was perhaps the most egregious. Victor Palsson's header was straight at Slicker, but the ball burst through his arms and into the back of the later, the sparse Hampden crowd cheered ironically when Slicker successfully caught the ball. It summed up a torrid night for the young man. So who is Slicker? Eligible through his Scottish father, Slicker was signed by the then-League One Ipswich Town from Manchester City for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2023 on a three-year 22-year-old was an unused substitute for City manager Pep Guardiola for several first-team games in the 2021-22 season. He also spent time on loan at Rochdale before his Ipswich move, but failed to make a league was part of the Tractor Boys squad that recorded back-to-back promotions to the Premier League, making a few appearances in domestic cup competitions along the way and filling in as the back-up keeper on occasion too. But Slicker played just 10 minutes for Ipswich last season - in the FA Cup - and is still to make his senior league has 17 caps at under-21 level for Scotland - with three clean sheets - and was first called up for the senior squad in November 2024. What did Clarke say about it? "It's difficult for Cieran, I really feel for him," the Scotland head coach told BBC Sport Scotland. "He got thrown into a situation that he wasn't quite ready for but Craig Gordon's injured, Liam Kelly's injured, Zander Clark is injured."It's something I thought might come back to bite us [the lack of goalkeeping options]. The only good thing is it came in a friendly match."I'd imagine [Angus Gunn] won't play the next game."I've had young Callan McKenna in the squad so he'll travel then we'll have a look and see if we can find another goalkeeper in Scotland who's not on holiday." What happens now? Not only are Gordon, Kelly and Clark out at present, Robby McCrorie went down in the warm-up. It all likelihood, he's the one who would have come on against Gunn and McCrorie likely out of Monday's friendly against Liechtenstein, too, and Slicker's confidence through the floor, will Clarke turn to someone else?"You have to find out what's in the player's mind as well, how he's feeling about it," former Scotland defender Willie Miller said of Slicker."What you're looking for is honesty from him. Does he feel like he can take on the challenge in the next game, or that he doesn't want to?"Does the manager want to take him out of the firing line?"McKenna, 18, has more senior experience than Slicker, but not by much. He played nine matches for Queen's Park in the Scottish Championship before signing for Bournemouth in 2024. He's been in their development squad since and has been with the Scotland group as a training player for the past the lack of options, Clarke's first phone call might be to Jon two-time Scotland cap, 37, only played one FA Cup game for Swansea City last season and is now out of contract. But he was a squad regular, is experienced, and would likely be considered one of the safest options. Dundee goalkeeper Jon McCracken was in Scotland squads during the season just gone, but was replaced between at Dens Park by Trevor Carson midway through the Scottish-based options would be Scott Bain - recently released by Celtic - or Ross Doohan - recently signed by Dons keeper Craig MacGillivray has previously been called up by Clarke, too, but would appear to be a long way down the pecking order these days. 'Frustration bordering on anger at situation' Clarke was much more candid about Slicker's night than many thought he might spoke about this was too early for him, him not being ready for it. It's clear that the lad is suffering after being thrown in to a also sounds like he was always going to be third choice - and therefore there for experience rather than game time - until McCrorie's injury in the warm-up. It's an unforgiving thing is clear though, Clarke's manner over the goalkeeping situation was frustration bordering on anger.
The Sun
an hour ago
- The Sun
Templegate's Derby tip: ‘He's extremely impressive and has way more to come' – My NAP on a huge day at Epsom
TEMPLEGATE tackles a massive Saturday of racing confident of smashing the bookies. The big race of the day - the year, even - is the Derby and 19 runners go to post for the 3.30 live on ITV1 - although one huge name could be pulled at the last minute amid a dire weather warning. Our man goes through every single runner and reveals his 1-2-3-4 Derby prediction in his brilliant runner-by-runner guide. You'll find all his picks below, so grab yourself a free bet offer and back a horse simply by clicking their odds. PRIDE OF ARRAS (3.30 Epsom, nap) He was extremely impressive when winning the Dante at York last time on just his second outing. That was his first start for nine months and he burst through the line to suggest this longer trip will be fine. His high draw could be tricky but not impossible and he has more to come. DOCKLANDS (1.35 Epsom, nb) He has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. He showed lots of promise last season and returned with a solid fourth at Goodwood last time. He should improve for that fitness wise and he handles any ground. Templegate's TV verdicts EPSOM 1.00 IF it comes up properly soft by racetime, Sparks Fly would be a cracking bet given her superb record in testing conditions. But assuming it's good to soft or quicker, ROYAL DRESS is the one to be on. She was an unlucky third in this last year before striking in this grade at The Curragh. She has since held her own in better races including when third at York last time. William Buick is an eyecatching booking too. Bermuda Longtail looked promising when beaten half a length in a York Listed contest last month and has much more to come. She gets plenty of weight for age too. Skellet progressed last season and is another who should be capable of better for Ralph Beckett. 1.35 DOCKLANDS has some fancy Group 1 form including his second in the Queen Anne at last year's Royal Ascot. He was sent all over the globe after that with solid results and ran a solid comeback at Ascot last time. He'll be fitter for that and has won on quick and slow ground. Persica didn't fire in the Lockinge last time but took a Newmarket Group 3 easily enough on comeback and has won here before. Ryan Moore's a good booking and he's a big threat. Royal Playwright gets the best part of a stone from his older rivals and didn't get the run of the race in the Dante last time. He could take a major step forward here. Royal Dubai wasn't disgraced at Ascot last time and looks the pick of the bigger prices. 2.10 AGAINST THE WIND could be the answer to this tricky puzzle. He has plenty of weight but has been running well with a Thirsk win followed by a fine York third last time. He gets away quickly so should be suited by this track. Naana's Sparkle ran a nice race at Goodwood last time when third and showed lots of pace. He looks on a fair mark. Ruby's Profit got the better of Mademoiselle in that race and they should both be right at home here too after showing a lot of boot. Tees Aggregates saves his best for Catterick so should love Epsom which is another tricky track. He may not be quite good enough to win but could be an each-way bet if you can get extra places. Blinky won a couple on the all-weather before a decent third at Chester last time. A repeat of that would put him in the place picture from what should be an ideal draw. 2.45 JER BATT always faced a tough task from a wide draw at Chester last time yet still ran a good race. He has some fine handicap form over this trip yet is still on a fair weight and the booking of Oisin Murphy is a plus. He'll be right there. Clarendon House is quirky but has enough quality to figure if he fancies it. He went well in the Group 3 Palace House at Newmarket last time. Last year's winner Dream Composer was also badly drawn at Chester latest but looked much better when second at Pontefract on comeback. He can figure again. Jm Jungle has been placed in hot York handicaps on his past two outings. He likes this trip and is a quick starter so has every chance. Vintage Clarets showed positive signs on the Knavesmire latest and is in the each-way picture too. 3.30 PRIDE OF ARRAS was a brilliant Dante winner at York and has more to come. French raider Midak looks overpriced, while Lambourn would have a say if the rain comes. And you never rule out Ryan Moore on Delacroix, especially as the jockey was simply brilliant on Minnie Hauk in the Oaks. Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who:
