Irish League Football

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Ballymena United have confirmed they have parted ways with manager Jim Ervin.

Ervin took over at the Showgrounds in 2023 and in his first season, kept the club in the Premiership by way of a playoff.

Last season, they finished in the bottom half but it was enough to see Ervin sign a new contract until 2028.

Currently, the Sky Blues sit in eighth position in the table, but on Saturday they suffered a 3-1 defeat to bottom club Glenavon.

In midweek, they were also knocked out of the Count Antrim Shield, going down 4-1 at home to Cliftonville which ended a three-game unbeaten run.

"Ballymena United Football Club can confirm that the club has parted company with first team manager Jim Ervin, this morning," the club confirmed in a statement.

"The board would like to put on record their upmost thanks to Jim and his staff for their efforts and support during his two and a half years at the Showgrounds.

"Jim will always be remembered as a legendary player for the club, and as manager for successfully guiding Ballymena United through one of the most challenging periods of our recent history.

"The club will now commence the recruitment process for the next first team manager."

Current U20 manager Ciaran Caldwell will step in as interim boss with Patrick McEleney and Sean O'Neill assisting him for Tuesday's BetMcLean Cup quarter-final against Larne.

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Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said his side can "take a lot of pride" in their display in a 2-0 defeat against a Coleraine side he labelled "the next big powerhouse of the Irish League".

Goals in each half from Jamie Glackin and Jamie McGonigle secured the victory for Coleraine and condemned Crusaders to a third league game without a win.

But Caddell believes the game was closer than the scoreline suggests and was content with his side's second-half performance

"Easiest way to put it probably a game of two halves. Coleraine stated off really well and caused us problems. We looked a different side second half, we dominated possession and just lacked that cutting edge in the final third to make it count," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We take a lot of pride from what we have done coming up against the next big powerhouse of the Irish League in terms of how they have invested and the squad they have.

"Last time they came here they won 4-0 and it could have been eight, today our players showed they learnt a lot and if could have done the other way. The 2-0 scoreline probably flatters them a bit."

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Linfield boss David Healy said that his side "upped the gears" to secure a late 3-1 win over Carrick Rangers at Windsor Park.

After Aidan Steele had cancelled out Chris McKee's opener, two goals from substitute Matthew Yates sealed victory for Linfield.

While Healy said he was "slightly disappointed" with his side's performance, he was glad they eventually found a way to win.

"They came and made it difficult, we knew they would and for large periods they frustrated us," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"It was no surprise when they equalised, you could sense it was coming, but we made the changes and, in the end, we just about deserved to win the game. We made it difficult, but we upped the gears when it went 1-1 and got two crucial goals.

"November, December and January are key months with lots of big games against your so-called big rivals so it's important you win the other games."

Healy also praised the impact of Yates off the bench as the 23-year-old continues to adapt to life in the Irish Premiership after signing from Scotland in the summer.

"I was pleased for Yatsey, it's important you have attacking options and he's played in a few cup games and come off the bench," Healy added.

"His first goal was a big goal, it give us the platform to win the game. He showed the clinical edge with the second one."

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Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin said their 3-1 defeat by bottom side Glenavon is "the first time this season I've properly questioned my players".

The Sky Blues went ahead early through Success Edogun's goal, but Jack Malone equalised soon after.

Late goals from Davy McDaid and Peter Campbell completed Glenavon's turnaround and Ervin was frustrated by his side's display as they failed to respond to Tuesday night's 4-1 County Antrim Shield final defeat against Cliftonville.

"The goals we're given away are criminal, we are not going to win games of football with the goals we are giving away, and players aren't learning, it's as simple as that," Ervin told BBC Sport NI.

"It's the first time I can say this season I've properly questioned my players. Midweek I took full responsibility, but if you look at today, we had 10 players unavailable, but you have a big squad, and we were looking players to stand up and be counted and they've haven't."

Ervin questioned the decision from referee Shane McGonigle to award Glenavon a penalty which McDaid converted, as he did not feel Barney McKeown was fouled.

"They've got a penalty for Barney McKeown kicking Dylan [McGeouch]. Dylan has won the ball and Barney kicks into him and gets a penalty," Ervin added.

"You look at the reaction and from what I've been told by the players, the linesman has said it's not a penalty we've watched the clip back, Dylan kicks the ball and Barney kicks him.

"The referee hasn't spoken to us yet, so we don't know his view. He didn't want to speak to me after the game, I've been told to wait 15 minutes and I'm still waiting to hear from him."

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Portadown boss Niall Currie lamented that his side "showed a bit of naivety" as they fell to a 3-2 defeat against Cliftonville at Shamrock Park.

Jordan Gibson had given the Ports a half-time lead, but they were left to rue missed chances in the first half as goals from Joe Sheridan, Ryan Curran and Jack Keaney in the second gave Cliftonville all three points despite Rhys Annett scoring a late consolation.

Currie was disappointed at his side's inability to play as well in the second half as they did the first.

"Great first half, but in the second half, we stopped doing the things that were hurting them," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We stopped turning them, getting them on the back foot, getting it into wide areas, and we gave the ball away too much. We got caught on the ball, we didn't win our first or second balls, and, ultimately, when you don't win first or second balls, you're always going to be in trouble.

"Credit to Cliftonville, they came out and produced a really strong second-half performance, but it doesn't help us when you look at the goals. Josh Ukek has his hand up in the air, which is crazy, and then it's a free header at the back post for Jack Keaney.

"They're poor goals to concede, and even the first one is avoidable. As I've said many times, even in the hard times, Cliftonville are a very good, well-drilled football side. They don't concede the sort of goals we gave up today, and that's ultimately why they're climbing the league."

The defeat leaves the Ports eighth in the table and with games against the likes of Crusaders and Ballymena United around them to come, Currie hopes they can move on quickly.

"We showed a bit of naivety today. We've got to learn very, very quickly that there are small margins in this league," he added.

"For forty-five minutes, we were every bit as good as, if not better than, Cliftonville. In the second half, though, they were much better than us."

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said that his side "were fantastic" in the second half of their 3-2 comeback win over Portadown at Shamrock Park.

The Reds fell behind to Jordan Gibson's goal in the first half, but they roared back in the second with goals from Joe Sheridan, Ryan Curran and Jack Keaney as they extended their unbeaten run in the league to five games.

Magilton reserved praised for goalscorer Sheridan, who produced a tidy finish and fellow teenager Keevan Hawthorne, who have been integral to Cliftonville's transformation of fortunes in recent weeks.

"I'm delighted with him [Sheridan]. He needs to add goals and assists to his game, but he's an outstanding young man and an outstanding player, just like Kevin Hawthorne," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"There's more to come from both of them. Joe had a real learning curve today playing against Gary Thompson in the middle of the park. The game is the greatest teacher, and he learned a lot. We're delighted with both lads."

Magilton added that the players took ownership at half-time after a below-par showing and were determined to put it right in the second.

"There was very little in it to start with. After Tuesday night, on a really difficult pitch, and on a difficult pitch here, we never quite settled.

"The response at half-time came from the players. They knew they could push on, and they did.

"I thought they were fantastic in the second half. Their attitude, their application, the way they went about it, and Joe Sheridan's goal was magnificent. The momentum we're carrying comes from the players. They've been fantastic."

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side's performance "wasn't the prettiest" during their 2-0 victory against Crusaders at Seaview.

The Bannsiders came into this game after suffering back-to-back defeats in the Irish Premiership for the first time this season.

However, they made a bright start to the game with Jamie Glackin's strike breaking the deadlock in the 16th minute before Jamie McGonigle sealed the three points late on.

"All that was important really today was winning the game," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a tough four days and everything was going smoothly enough until the last week and we had to come here and dig deep.

"It wasn't the prettiest of performances, but we managed the game well.

The Bannsiders were without top goalscorers Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin through injury.

However, Higgins praised striker McGonigle, who scored against his former side at Seaview.

"It gives the squad belief when you can go away from home and win matches without those types of players," Higgins continued.

"It was absolutely brilliant for Jamie McGonigle. He has put on a lot of muscle, looks really strong and has worked extremely hard since he has been injured.

"I have a strong feeling that he can have a really strong second half to the season when it comes around."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

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Glenavon striker David McDaid has announced that he is leaving the club to become Portstewart's assistant manager.

McDaid will join newly appointed manager John Gregg at the north coast side and will continue to play until, at least, the end of the season.

The 34-year-old has played a pivotal role at the Lurgan Blues since he joined last summer and netted a penalty in the 89th minute during his final game in a Glenavon shirt.

"Today was my last game for Glenavon," McDaid told BBC Radio Ulster.

"It was good to end on a high.

"When Paddy [McLaughlin] was sacked and Niall Quinn and I got to be interim [coaches], it gave me the taste of coaching and managing."

Portstewart currently sit seventh in the third-tier Premier Intermediate League and announced on Friday that former Dungannon assistant manager Gregg would replace Mo Mahon.

McDaid has had an industrious career in Northern Ireland and has played for Coleraine, Cliftonville, Larne and Ballymena before joining the Lurgan Blues.

"Portstewart is a big opportunity and a big club trying to do it the right way," McDaid continued.

"It is a really exciting project, and, at this stage of my career, I could play for another couple of years, but I am trying to kick start my managing career.

"I think it is going to be a great learning curve for me."

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Larne boss Gary Haveron praised the impact of his substitutes as his side left it late to beat Dungannon Swifts 2-1 at Stangmore Park.

Mark Randall's free-kick was cancelled out by Steven Scott's stunning strike before Larne substitutes Matthew Lusty and Paul O'Neill helped the Inver Reds to win it late.

Lusty won a penalty in injury-time which O'Neill then converted to give the visitors all three points and Haveron was satisfied with their contributions.

"I think Paul O'Neill showed unbelievable levels of composure to step up and win us the game. I'm delighted for Matty winning the penalty, he's kept the head down and worked hard and I'm delighted for Paul as he made an impact," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I think based on the second half performance and the chances we created, we deserved to win the game.

"It's been a tough week we were probably a bit jaded from Tuesday night, so we had to look to the bench and bring on players with energy to get us over the line."

Opposition number Rodney McAree said he was "very disappointed" to lose so late on, but was hesitant to criticise his side's performance.

"I think it shows how far we have come when we can be disappointed to lose to the team leading the Premiership," he said.

"We are very disappointed, there are a lot of positive to take but the two goals we conceded were preventable."

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Glentoran boss Declan Devine said that while he was "frustrated" by their 1-1 draw with Bangor, he could not fault his players' "desire" at Clandeboye Park.

Pat Hoban rescued a point for the Glens, levelling eight minutes after Tiarnan Mulvenna's stunning strike had put Bangor ahead.

Hoban then squandered two late chances as Glentoran's winless run in the league stretched to three games, but Devine praised his players after questioning their application in defeats to Glenavon and Dungannon Swifts.

"I thought we deserved to win it, we had more clear-cut chances and that's not being disrespectful to Lee [Feeney] and his team because they ask questions of you," Devine told BBC Sport NI.

"We were the team really trying to win the game, we are frustrated we weren't able to take the opportunities presented to us, but one thing I can't question is the hunger and desire of the players to keep going.

"I can't be critical, we had a lot of big performances, but no one's celebrating a point, we know we have to be better."

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Bangor boss Lee Feeney said that he was "really pleased" for midfielder Tiarnan Mulvenna, who scored a stunning goal in the Seasiders' 1-1 draw against Glentoran.

Mulvenna fired home from long range on 70 minutes to open the scoring, with Pat Hoban snatching a point for the Glens at Clandeboye with a goal eight minutes later.

Feeney praised Mulvenna's all-round display as well as his super strike which helped earned the point that moved Bangor up to seventh in the table.

"He deserved that, I'm really pleased for him, he puts so much effort in and I've mentioned before unsung heroes of the team and he's one of them," Feeney told BBC Sport NI.

"I hope he gets a bit of publicity for his performance and goal. Tiarnan has that in the locker, but the work he does off the ball too is fantastic."

Bangor are now winless in their last six league games after a tough November, but Feeney was heartened by their display against the Glens and believes they deserved a point.

"The last couple of minutes they were putting us under a bit of pressure and I was hoping we could see it out. I thought we did enough to get something out of the game," he added.

"We defended really well, attacked really well and won our midfield battles. It would have been disappointing if we didn't get anything so delighted to get something out of it."

Watch highlights as Bangor draw 1-1 with Glentoran in the Irish Premiership.

Read more: Glens held to frustrating draw against Bangor

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