Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Larne will be unable to host European matches at Inver Park next season should they qualify for the Uefa Conference League after their home ground failed a Fifa Pro Standard pitch test.

The two-time Irish Premiership champions, who this season lost their crown to Linfield, have nominated the Ballymena Showgrounds as their potential home venue.

Larne have said improvements to the pitch at Inver Park are an "important component" of their application for funding from the Northern Ireland Football Fund.

"As the playing surface at Inver Park comes to the end of its natural lifespan for European competition, we have been unsuccessful in the latest Fifa Pro Standard pitch test," said a club statement.

"An upgrade of the artificial surface at Inver Park is an important component of our recent application to the Northern Ireland Football Fund, alongside a much-needed rebuild of our stadium's main stand."

Larne reached the league phase of the Conference League this season and used Linfield's Windsor Park for home matches against Shamrock Rovers, St Gallen and Gent.

They were, however, able to play qualifying rounds at Inver Park, including a famous victory over Lincoln Red Imps.

Two seasons ago, issues with the playing surface at their home ground in east Antrim saw the Inver Reds play their European games at Cliftonville's Solitude ground.

Larne said there was a "single issue" that prevented them staging games in 2023-24 that was rectified for this season.

With the pitch now in its eighth year, a similar fix "was not a possibility" this time around.

Gary Haveron's side are second in the Irish Premiership going into the final day of the season on Saturday and will qualify for Europe should they avoid defeat at home to Glentoran in a game to be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and website.

Even if they lose out on second place to the Glens, Larne could still make it into the Conference League qualifying rounds through the Irish Premiership European play-off.

Dungannon Swifts have also had to put forward an alternative venue, listing Solitude rather than Stangmore Park.

Rodney McAree's side would qualify for Europe if they win the Irish Cup final against Cliftonville on 3 May or come through the play-off.

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Larne boss Gary Haveron said his side are "preparing to face the best version of Glentoran" during Saturday's final round of Irish Premiership fixtures.

Haveron's side occupy second place in the table and know a draw against third-place Glentoran at Inver Park will be enough to seal the runners-up spot and automatic European qualification.

Glentoran can still snatch second and avoid the play-offs with a win and Haveron believes his side must treat the game like a cup final.

"That has to be the mentality going into it, it's a winner takes all game, yes we can get a draw, but we never set the team up to draw, and Saturday will not be any different," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We know what we're going to face with the Glens, they're a quality side and we're preparing for the best version of Glentoran to come to Inver Park."

The Larne boss admitted it has been a "long, long season" due to the club's participation in the league phase of the Uefa Conference League that left them playing catch-up in the Irish Premiership.

However, he believes clinching the runners-up spot and getting back into Europe without having to go through the play-offs would be the perfect way to round off a historic season.

"Given the season we have had, it would be nice to get it [European qualification] wrapped up on Saturday. It has been incredibly tough at times and there has been a lot of learning," he added.

"The European campaign, I wouldn't have changed for the world, it was unbelievable to be a part of. We want to create more memories and get back into Europe.

"It's very much still in our hands; we have clawed ourselves back to second and that is where we aim to stay."

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David Healy, Jim Magilton and Rodney McAree lead the nominations for Manager of the Year at the annual Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association awards.

Healy guided Linfield to the Irish Premiership title and the Blues made history by becoming the first team to secure the trophy before the split.

Magilton's Cliftonville won the BetMcLean Cup in March and will look to win a cup double when the Reds face Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Cup final on 3 May.

On top of the Irish Cup decider, Dungannon have had a superb campaign under McAree and have broken into the top six in the Irish Premiership, and have also won the Mid-Ulster Cup this season.

The Swifts also have a nominee in Irish Premiership Player of the Year through midfielder Gael Bigirimana, while Linfield's Joel Cooper and Cliftonville's Joe Gormley are also up for the award.

The same three clubs are represented in Young Player of the Year through Dungannon forward John McGovern, while Cliftonville's Shea Kearney and Linfield's title-winning defender Matthew Orr have also been nominated.

After helping Bangor to promotion, Ben Arthurs is nominated for Championship player of the Year, along with Michael McLellan, the league's top scorer and Limavady United midfielder Stephen Lowry.

Northern Ireland legends Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas will be inducted into the Dr Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame at the awards on Sunday, 4 May.

Liverpool defender Conor Bradley has been named International Player of the Year, while Northern Ireland winger Danielle Maxwell was named Women's Premiership Player of the Year after helping Cliftonville to an unbeaten campaign.

Manager of the Year: David Healy (Linfield), Jim Magilton (Cliftonville), Rodney McAree (Dungannon Swifts)

Player of the Year: Gael Bigirimana (Dungannon Swifts), Joel Cooper (Linfield), Joe Gormley (Cliftonville)

NIFWA Young Player of the Year: Shea Kearney (Cliftonville), John McGovern (Dungannon Swifts), Matthew Orr (Linfield)

NIFWA Championship Player of the Year: Ben Arthurs (Bangor), Stephen Lowry (Limavady United), Michael McLellan (H&W Welders)

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Crusaders made it two wins from two in the group stage of the Women's League Cup with a big 7-1 victory against Larne at Inver Park.

Jessica McGuinness gave the Crues an early lead on two minutes.

New signings Michelle McDaid opened her account for the north Belfast side by adding a second four minutes later.

In a lively opening to the game, Ella Parker pulled one back for Larne on nine minutes.

Crusaders re-established their two-goal cushion after Darcie McNeil scored a penalty before the break.

Maureen Quinn then netted a fourth for the Crues in the second half.

McNeill got her second and Crusaders' fifth goal again from the penalty spot on 77 minutes.

Substitute Jessica Rea and McDaid scored late to round off the scoring for Jonny Tuffey's side.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Bangor have been promoted to the Irish Premiership as Championship winners after a 1-0 victory against H&W Welders at Blanchflower Stadium.

Lee Feeney's side will return to the top flight for the first time since 2009.

Michael Morgan's first half goal helped the Seasiders past the Welders to give them an unassailable five-point lead at the top of the table with one league game left to play.

It is a second promotion in a few seasons for Bangor, who won the Premier Intermediate title in 2023 to return to the second tier.

Bangor boss Feeney said that he was "relieved" that his side managed to get promotion over the line.

"We have been so good over the last couple of weeks, and we knew the finish line was close, but we had a lot of work to do," he told BBC's Sportsound programme.

"We were in situations the last few weeks where we were ahead but threw away the lead, so you will always have the jitters with the last few games asking yourself if we are going to do it but today, we were fantastic and so professional.

"I'm so glad to get it done. Everyone deserves it, the players have worked so hard."

At the other end of the table, Newry City suffered a second successive relegation after a 3-2 defeat by Newington.

Newry, who were demoted from the Irish Premiership last season, will play in the Premier Intermediate League next campaign after their 12th place finish was confirmed.

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Larne manager Gary Haveron said that Conor McKendry's match-winning goal against Linfield was "absolutely first-class".

Substitute McKendry rifled home a first-time finish from close-range two minutes from time to complete Larne's comeback after Andy Ryan had cancelled out Kalum Thompson's opener.

And Haveron was delighted with McKendry's impact after being introduced off the bench as Larne leapfrogged Glentoran into second place with the 2-1 win.

"Conor's finish was absolutely first-class, he has had to be patient and wait for opportunities, he is coming off the back of a dead leg so to come on and to score with that type of finish, he is so talented," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

The Larne boss conceded that his side were "not at the races" in the first half but buoyed by a raft of changes in the second period, they managed to fight back and take home a valuable three points.

"It wasn't our best performance of the season by any stretch of the imagination but the only thing we wanted to come away with was three points to give ourselves an opportunity next week and that is what we have done," he added.

"We were a shadow of ourselves first half, but the boys dug in, and we came out with the result."

Larne's attentions now turn to their final league game against Glentoran next weekend at Inver Park, with the winner of that fixture set to finish second and earn automatic European qualification.

"It's a game we want to be excited for, it's a winner takes all game, so we will have to be prepared for it.

"Glentoran are a good side, we have had some tight games with them this year, but it's important we put our best foot forward next week."

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Holders Cliftonville made it back-to-back wins in the group stage of the League Cup as they edged Linfield 3-2 at Midgley Park.

The Reds, who beat Derry last weekend, went ahead on seven minutes as Fi Morgan headed home from Grace McKimm's cross.

Cora Chambers drew Linfield level nine minutes later, but Ellen Hampton's own goal before half-time restored Cliftonville's lead.

Chambers equalised again for the Blues soon after the break, but substitute Carla Devine scored the winner from close-range against her former side.

The other Group A game between Derry City and Lisburn Ladies that was set to take place on Friday was postponed.

In Group B, Glentoran secured a second successive group stage win with a 2-0 win against Lisburn Rangers at Crewe Park.

The Glens, who thrashed Larne last Friday, broke the deadlock against Lisburn on 63 minutes through Nadene Caldwell before Demi Vance doubled their advantage.

The other Group B meeting between Larne and Crusaders will take place on Wednesday night at Inver Park.

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine has rejected suggestions his team disrespected Linfield by not giving the new Irish Premiership champions a guard of honour prior to the Windsor Park contest on 5 April.

Both Dungannon Swifts and Crusaders had performed the gesture for the Blues in previous weekends following their runaway title success.

Speaking to the media on Thursday, Devine insisted that he congratulated Linfield boss David Healy and his backroom staff "on their amazing season and winning the league title" at the Harry Cavan Youth Cup Final in the week prior to the 5 April game.

"From my point of view, I'm not going to comment on guards of honour, I've more important things to concentrate on. I always give respect to anybody who achieves," said the Glentoran manager.

"I also texted David – people don't understand. I won't make any comment on a guard of honour, but Declan Devine as a human being is the first to congratulate any fellow manager because I know how difficult it is.

"That's my outlook. I congratulated David in front of his own staff and also did it privately. My sole focus going into football matches is to win."

With two series of games to go, Glentoran are currently in the second spot in the Irish Premiership table which secures European football - albeit they are 25 points adrift of the new champions.

The Glens will be keeping a close eye on Friday's contest at Inver Park as third-placed Larne welcome the Blues.

Larne will have the opportunity to move above the Glens into second place in the table but defeat for Gary Haveron's side would mean Devine's players would have the opportunity to guarantee the runners-up spot by winning at Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.