Irish Premiership: Crusaders 2-3 Cliftonville
Last updated on .From the section Football
Champions Cliftonville rounded off their campaign with another win as Chris Curran's hat-trick helped them edge out Crusaders at Solitude.
Curran put the Reds ahead on 11 minutes before David McMaster levelled for the Crues on 25.
However, Curran restored Cliftonville's lead on 30 and completed his hat-trick on 60 from a controversial penalty.
Jordan Owens pulled a goal back on 72 but Cliftonville held on as they lifted the Premiership trophy after the game.
Cliftonville boss Tommy Breslin opted to rest a number of his regulars as he included the likes of keeper Ryan Brown, Jude Winchester, Diarmuid O'Carroll and Paddy McNally.
However, the Reds took the lead on 11 minutes as O'Carroll's pass set up Carroll to net the opening goal.
After Eamonn Seydak had gone close to doubling Cliftonville's lead, Crusaders got on terms on 25 minutes as McMaster won the ball on the edge of the Reds penalty and beat Brown with a deflected shot.
However, Curran restored the Reds lead on 30 after a mistake in the Crusaders defence.
Curran completed his hat-trick on the hour mark after Josh Robinson had been harshly adjudged to have handled in the box.
After a superb dipping effort from Gary McCutcheon was ruled out for offside, Owen did reply for the Crues on 72 but the champions held on to record a victory which left them six points clear of runners-up Linfield.
