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Marc smyth

@marcsmyth16

Ex-professional footballer and Currently Head of youth Development at Cliftonville Football club, Proud father of 3 to Conor, Niamh & Grace.

 belfast
cliftonvillefc.net
Joined October 2013
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We can debate summer football, full-time models, league structures and transfer fees all day. The LOI has created 71 full-time academy roles in 2026. How many do NIFL academies have between them? I think it's easily under 10. The real gap in player development isnt any of the above. It's investment in people and professionalism in my opinion.
Will Clarke (@WClarke1980) profile pictureWill Clarke@WClarke198011h
As part of the #LOI Academy Government Investment Programme, we're delighted to open applications for 23 new full-time Performance Support Coach roles across LOI Academies. 🇮🇪 📈 This brings the total number of new LOI Academy specific full-time roles created in 2026 to 71.
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An All-Island Academy League and investment in full time academy roles are essential if we are serious about developing elite players and getting bigger transfer fees.
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Proud of the full-time academy and staff we have built at Cliftonville. Great to see the backroom team representing the club in the UEFA Youth League in Latvia. A lot of hard work behind the scenes to reach this level. 🔴⚪
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Image from Marc smyth (@marcsmyth16)
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Image from Marc smyth (@marcsmyth16)
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One of the best kids and family I have had the pleasure of meeting. Amazing work done by Nicola Gorman and the coaches at the academy in his development 🔴⚽
Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) profile pictureCliftonville FC@cliftonvillefcOct 26
☘️ Cliftonville FC offers thanks and sincere best wishes for the future to Academy graduate Shea McGarry following confirmation of his move to Celtic.
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⚽️ POWERED BY OUR PARTNERS A brilliant weekend moment from Bloomfield FC at the @fonacabbelfast Development League! 🤝 Proudly supported by: 🐶 Hillview Pet Supplies ✂️ Freddie Hatchet Fine Tailoring ⚽ CNG Sports Group
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A great young player who is wise beyond his years. 🔴⚽
Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) profile pictureCliftonville FC@cliftonvillefcOct 24
🪄 What about that display from Joe Sheridan?
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Great win for everyone involved. 🔴⚽
Reds By The Minute ☘ (@RedsByTheMinute) profile pictureReds By The Minute ☘@RedsByTheMinuteOct 24
Back up the road with three points.
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What a player and person. 🔴⚽
Reds By The Minute ☘ (@RedsByTheMinute) profile pictureReds By The Minute ☘@RedsByTheMinuteOct 20
56 | Brian Healy supplies the delivery and Joe Sheridan doubles our lead. 🔴0️⃣-2️⃣🟢
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This is exactly the type of joined up approach we need in the North. Proper investment and support for academy football, benefiting young players across every club and not just a select few. If we genuinely want to develop more players and raise standards, the whole pathway needs supported.
Will Clarke (@WClarke1980) profile pictureWill Clarke@WClarke1980Oct 6
Great to hear such positive recognition of the progress being made across the LOI Academy system by Minister O'Donovan. A huge well done & thanks to the clubs, the new academy staff, my colleagues, the Ministers, Depart officials and Sport Ireland. It's been a real team effort.
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Amazing achievement, well done to all the staff, players and volunteers. ❤️
NI Football League (@OfficialNIFL) profile pictureNI Football League
@OfficialNIFLOct 4
The best of the best. @CvilleLadies are the CHAMPIONS 🏆 #SportsDirectPrem
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🆚 @Super_Nova_sk 🏆 UEFA Youth League first round first leg 🏟️ Solitude 🕢 7.45pm 🆓 Free admission
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Really proud of what We built. This weekend the @fonacabbelfast Development League will see 270 teams, 135 fixtures and over 2,100 young players taking part. Providing opportunities for children to play and enjoy football will always be what it's all about. ⚽
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🌍 Ahead of today's UEFA Youth League first round draw, Cliftonville Strollers have been placed in Pot 2️⃣, where they will later be paired with one of: 🇱🇻 SK Super Nova 🇽🇰 Ballkani 🇫🇮 HJK Helsinki 🇱🇺 UNA Strassen 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Cardiff Met ➡️ cliftonvillefc.net/2026/09/0…
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We nephew ❤️
Ciaran Boyd (@CiaranBoyd4) profile pictureCiaran Boyd@CiaranBoyd4Aug 30
Replying to @marcsmyth16 @CliftonvilleFDC
Here it is
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Hopefully this can benifit the fans, local residents and community. ❤️
Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) profile pictureCliftonville FC@cliftonvillefcAug 27
🚗 Cliftonville FC are pleased to confirm a new matchday parking agreement with Cliftonville Integrated Primary School. ➡️ cliftonvillefc.net/2026/08/2…
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I have always believed that if young players are good enough, they are old enough. Give them trust to play and be brave, give them opportunities and let them show what they can do.
Cliftonville FDC (@CliftonvilleFDC) profile pictureCliftonville FDC@CliftonvilleFDCAug 26
Academy Pathway | U16 ➡️ U20 Four of our U16 players featured for the U20s in tonight’s 2-1 victory away to Dungannon, with Tom Stanfield scoring the winning goal. An important part of our Academy is providing players with opportunities to be challenged above their age group.
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Thought @OfficialBlues and the Linfield fans were so respectful and a brilliant gesture. ❤️
Chris Donnelly (@chrisadonnelly) profile pictureChris Donnelly@chrisadonnellyAug 21
Thanks to @OfficialBlues for accommodating this request tonight. It was very much appreciated by all at @cliftonvillefc Some things are more important than football. Rest in peace, Aoife 🔴
Image from Chris Donnelly (@chrisadonnelly)
Image from Chris Donnelly (@chrisadonnelly)
Image from Chris Donnelly (@chrisadonnelly)
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🔴 Everyone at Cliftonville FC offers very best wishes to young striker Eamonn Tohill following confirmation of his move to Middlesbrough. ➡️ cliftonvillefc.net/2026/08/1…
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❤️❤️❤️
Cliftonville FC (@cliftonvillefc) profile pictureCliftonville FC@cliftonvillefcAug 17
📋 At this evening’s Extraordinary General Meeting of Cliftonville FC, Members of the Club voted in favour of a Special Resolution authorising the Board of Directors to complete an investment agreement with the Toronto Investment Group. ➡️ cliftonvillefc.net/2026/08/1…
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🔴 Club Members are reminded that this evening's Extraordinary General Meeting at North Belfast Christian Fellowship (246 Antrim Road) will commence at 6.30pm.
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