Video: Trio recall how Cliftonville stunned NCU with triple title success in 1990s

Mark Patterson, Kyle McCallan and Michael Turkington discuss how that illustrious period in the Greenisland club’s history, sharing memories of how a young and aggressive team emerged and the historic day they lifted the league trophy with a stunning and nerve-wrecking victory over title rivals Lisburn at Wallace Park.

There is real emotion from Turkington in particular as he remembers Patterson sparking wild celebrations by hitting the winning runs.

Patterson, the former Ireland bowler, is particularly frank about the team’s approach to sledging, admitting that they did take it too far at times, while he also gives insight into how his career was cut short by injury problems.

McCallan points out that the team’s positive and aggressive approach was later adopted as a template by the Ireland international side, while both McCallan and Turkington describe how their own careers with the club ended with moves to Waringstown and North Down respectively.

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Alistair Bushe

Editor