Cliftonville Football Club » Hale makes County switch

Cliftonville Football Club confirms Ronan Hale’s transfer to Ross County.

The 25-year-old, who joined the Reds from Larne ahead of the 2022/23 season, scored the first of 51 goals in 82 appearances when he netted on his debut in the Europa Conference League clash with DAC in July 2022, while his final strike – and indeed touch – for the Club was that unforgettable Clearer Water Irish Cup Final clincher just two months ago.

A boyhood Cliftonville fan, Hale admits he has lived the dream during his short stint at Solitude and will always hold fond memories of the Reds as he embarks upon the next chapter of his career with the Scottish Premiership side.

“I’ve loved my time here and I’ve loved being a Cliftonville player but I feel like this is an opportunity I can’t turn down,” he explained.

“I’ve got a young family, we’ve just welcomed our second child and recently got engaged, so I have to think of them and do what I feel is best for our future together.

“I’m 25 now and your football career is a short one, so you’ve got to make the most of it when chances like this come along. It could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity but it’s one I’m looking forward to and one I really want to have a shot at and make the best of.

“It’s not easy to be leaving Cliftonville, this is my boyhood Club and everybody knows what it means to me, but I’m leaving with great memories and that second goal in the Irish Cup Final will stay with me forever. To be able to score a goal like that with so many of my friends and family in the stand was special and it’s something we’ll always have.”

He continued: “I want to thank the supporters for everything they’ve given me. They’ve been great since the first day I signed and we’ve had some great times together over the last couple of years, but I’m on a new journey now and it’s an opportunity I want to go and grab with both hands.

“I obviously wish the Club all the best and I hope the lads do brilliantly in Europe and the season ahead. I’ve loved being a part of Cliftonville and I’ll always be thankful for my time here.”

It goes without saying that all at Solitude thank Ronan for his endeavours in a Cliftonville shirt over the last couple of years and we naturally wish him, wife-to-be Briana, newborn Briá and her big sister Myá all the very best for the future.

Club Chairman Kieran Harding said: “We wish Ronan every success for the future and thank him for his services at Cliftonville.

“As much as we tried to persuade him to stay, once it became clear that Ronan had aspirations of playing at a higher level, we worked hard to negotiate the best possible deal with Ross County – one that met our valuation for a player of such quality, balanced against the current stage of his contract with us.

“We look forward to seeing Ronan play in the Scottish Premiership and I know our supporters would like to not only wish him well but also thank him for the many wonderful memories he provided.”