Daire O'Connor signs for Cliftonville FC

Irish League side Cliftonville have announced the signing of winger Daire O’Connor, who was released by Cork City earlier this month.

The Reds have confirmed that the 23-year-old forward has already began training with the West Belfast club.

O’Connor signed for City in 2018 after a successful spell at UCD where he won the 2018 League of Ireland First Division and the Collingwood Cup. He also reached the 2018 FAI Cup semi-finals with the Students, which saw them push Dundalk in a 1-0 loss in Oriel Park.

In his two seasons at City, O’Connor was known for his attacking flare and dynamic runs down the wings. The attacking midfielder also featured in the club’s 2019 Europa League campaign. O’Connor’s most memorable moment in a green shirt came against the Lilywhites in October 2019 when he gave City a 1-0 end of season win over the reigning champions. 

He joins a Cliftonville side desperate for silverware. Their last league title came in 2014 and the Reds’ last IFA Cup success came in 1979. They reached the final of the competition in 2018 and were beaten 3-1 by Coleraine at Windsor Park.

The Reds opened their 2020/21 campaign last weekend with a 1-0 victory over Glentoran at Solitude and will play Crusaders on Friday evening.