Ruan Curran (right) celebrates scoring the only goal of the Solitude encounterPACEMAKER

Ryan Curran (right) celebrates scoring the only goal of the Solitude encounter

Mark Jones
BBC Sport NI contributor

Ryan Curran hit the only goal as Cliftonville started their Premiership campaign with a 1-0 win over newly promoted Portadown at Solitude.

The Reds skipper saw a penalty saved by Aaron McCarey before making amends on 34 minutes.

On his return, Rory Donnelly delivered an exquisite pass to Curran after being found by Ronan Doherty and the striker finished with aplomb from close range.

This breakthrough followed moments after Doherty's thunderous strike that had rattled the post for Jim Magilton's men.

Curran's goal was a moment of redemption after an earlier missed penalty.

The 30-year-old forward was felled in the box by Portadown captain Gary Thompson, but debutant Aaron McCarey produced a stunning save, diving low to his right to thwart his former teammate.

Highlights: Cliftonville edge Portadown in Solitude opener

The second half mirrored the first, with the home side dictating the tempo. Substitute Joe Gormley nearly doubled the advantage in the 55th minute, only for McCarey to make an acrobatic save.

Moments later, the Reds' all-time top scorer was again denied, this time by the crossbar.

McCarey continued his inspired form, brilliantly parrying Curran's powerful half-volley in the 66th minute to keep his side in the contest.

Niall Currie will be disappointed that his charges struggled to create clear opportunities throughout the 90 minutes, although they will be frustrated that they did not leave north Belfast with a point.

Their best chance for an equaliser came in stoppage time when Michael Newberry was dispossessed on the edge of the area.

However, Cliftonville's stopper David Odumosu was equal to Steven McCullough's curling effort, ensuring the Reds clinched all three points.

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