Football: NAT'LL DO FOR CLIFT

CLIFTONVILLE will start the New Year in fourth spot after a battling victory over Armagh City at Holm Park.

A double goal blast from Nathan McConnell and a superb third score by Conor Downey lifted the Reds into the top four.

Colin Malone's City will be sorely disappointed at this result, having led the Reds when Anto Reilly put them ahead on 21 minutes. But Eddie Patterson punished City for a series of misses in the opening period.

City boss Malone said: "We were sadly lacking in commitment today.

"We were very poor from start to finish and to go down without a fight is a real killer."

Cliftonville's two-goal hero, Nathan McConnell, said: "It's going to be a good New Year after this result.

"That's four goals I've scored in three matches and I'd like to continue this run into 2006."

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