Oldpark Avenue
| Location | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°37′01″N 5°56′51″W / 54.6169°N 5.9474°WCoordinates: 54°37′01″N 5°56′51″W / 54.6169°N 5.9474°W |
| Tenants | |
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Cliftonville Cricket Club (1880–1972) Cliftonville F.C. (1879–1890) | |
Oldpark Avenue is a sports ground in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was previously used for cricket and football, hosting a football international in 1887.
History
Oldpark Avenue was the first home ground of Cliftonville F.C.. However, after the creation of the Irish Football League in 1890 the club moved across the road to Solitude.[1]
In 1880 Enfield Cricket Club moved to the ground and were renamed Cliftonville Cricket Club. They remained at the ground until 1972 when a series of sectarian attacks against members and the looting and burning of the clubhouse by a hostile mob led to them leaving.[2]
On 12 March 1887 the ground was used to host a British Home Championship football match between Ireland and Wales; the Irish won 4–1 with 4,000 in attendance,[3] marking Ireland's first-ever win after five years of playing.[4]
References
- ↑ The History of Solitude Cliftonville F.C.
- ↑ Our History Cliftonville Cricket Club
- ↑ Ireland 4-1 Wales Welsh Football Data Archive
- ↑ Dean Hayes (2006) Northern Ireland International Football Facts, Appletree Press, p151 ISBN 0-86281-874-5