The pre-match handshake before today's Cliftonville versus Linfield fixture in the Danske Bank Premiership got off to an unusual start when Northern Irish goalkeeper Roy Carroll seemed to opt out of the formalities with entire Cliftonville team.
The match took place at Cliftonville's home ground of Solitude in Belfast. In the build-up to today's game, Linfield manager David Healy had suggested it would be a 'feisty' affair and in an interview with the BBC called on his players to stay strong. "We need to make sure we puff out our chests and are big and strong because Barry Gray knows how to get his players fired up."
Carroll has been with Linfield since 2016 and prior to the tie strode past the line of Cliftonville players instead of engaging in the traditional pre-match handshakes. The former Manchester United goalkeeper went towards his goal instead.
Why’d Roy Carroll not shake @cliftonvillefc players hands today? pic.twitter.com/qmb1aRcA1I
— Chris white (@mrcwhite86) August 25, 2018
On the field, Joe Gormley gave the Reds the lead but Linfield scored a late equaliser through Michael O'Connor to ensure it ended 1-1.
