St Pat's to host Cliftonville in pre-season clash

St Patrick’s Athletic will play host to Ireland’s oldest club later this month when Irish League side Cliftonville begin their pre-season programme with a visit to Richmond Park.

Cliftonville, who are celebrating their 125th anniversary this year, will take on the Saints, relative newcomers after just 75 years in existence, in a friendly at the Inchicore venue on Saturday, July 17.

Pat’s, whose home league game against Bohemians on July 16 was postponed due to Bohs’ UEFA Cup commitments, will be relieved to put aside their current struggles at the foot of the premier division table for one weekend.

Cliftonville may be in celebratory mood but their manager Liam Beckett has plenty of work to do for the upcoming Irish League season as the Reds finished 2003-04 just one place above bottom club Glenavon.

Kick-off will be at 4pm and the club has announced tickets will cost €10 for adults, €5 for children.