| Cliftonville Cricket Ground | |
| Location: | Belfast, Northern Ireland |
| Coordinates: | 54.6169°N -5.9474°W |
| Tenants: | Cliftonville Cricket Club (1880–1972) Cliftonville F.C. (1879–1890) |
Cliftonville Cricket Ground was a sports ground in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was previously used for cricket, football and hockey, hosting a football international in 1887, but was closed following sectarian attacks in 1972. It is now owned by Belfast City Council and used for Gaelic games.[1]
Cliftonville Cricket Ground 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.[2]
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.[3] [4]
It hosted the first Irish Cup final in 1881.[5]
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,[6] marking Ireland's first-ever win after five years of playing.[7]
It was the home of Cliftonville Hockey Club until 1972.[8]