Despite their perfect record up until their penultimate game of the season, Cliftonville had still not wrapped up the title.
That was because their next opponents and nearest rivals Glentoran had won 13 of their 14 games, their only defeat coming against the Reds earlier in the season.
It was a winner takes all game, an “all or nothing” fixture as Callaghan described and the Reds duly stepped up to the plate, showing their credentials with a dominant 6-0 win at Solitude.
“We drew twice with them in the league last year and we learned from mistakes, everyone had a stormer,” she smiled.
“Everything fell into place for us that night, everyone was up for it and ultimately, we turned it on at the end of the season when other teams were getting tired.”
Whilst the title was secured the ‘invincible’ record was still up for grabs and Callaghan says that Cliftonville were hungry to finish what was an unforgettable campaign on a high.
They did so with a narrow 1-0 victory against north Belfast rivals Crusaders.
“In 2022 our last game of the season, we had already won the league, and we were in party mode as it was the first title and Glentoran came out and beat us in our last game.
“I was so annoyed after that, so we were adamant we didn’t want the last game to be a defeat this year.”
They rounded off a fantastic season in style with a sumptuous attacking display in a 5-0 Irish Cup win against Lisburn Rangers, their first success in that competition in nine years.
“We wanted to just enjoy it, it’s been a while since we had won an Irish Cup final, and the girls were just so relaxed before and it showed.
“We couldn’t have had a more perfect season – unless we won the four trophies!” Callaghan joked.
We all know what will be on Cliftonville’s list of goals for 2025, but for now, they can reflect contently on a stunning 2024.
