Irish League Football

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Gary Haveron has been appointed as permanent Larne manager on a three-year deal.

The 44-year-old had been in interim charge of the club since August after Nathan Rooney left the Inver Reds following the first game of the season.

The east Antrim club sit third in the Premiership table after having played nine games and were unbeaten during his latest time at the helm until going down 2-0 to Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on 4 October.

"I'm very proud and honoured to be asked to take this on," Haveron said on the Larne FC website.

"It's a club which is obviously very close to my heart. I feel now is the time to take the step up and take this role on.

"I have a great faith in the people we have at this club and ultimately football always will be about the players and I have great faith in these players.

"When I look at the players I have real belief that they will allow us to continue to compete for honours across the Irish League."

Haveron occupied the position of head coach for much of last season as he stepped up from the assistant manager role for the second half of the term after it emerged that Rooney did not possess the necessary qualifications to lead the team in European competition.

The Larne native was also interim first team coach of his home town club when Tiernan Lynch left to manage Premier Division side Derry City, before Englishman Rooney was appointed.

The former Glentoran and Carrick manager has already made history when Larne boss as he was in charge when they became the first Irish League club to win a game in the league phase on the Conference League when they defeated Gent 1-0 in December 2024.

The Inver Reds exited European competition to Santa Clara at the third qualifying round stage this season, but Haveron will be hoping that the east Antrim Club can lift the Gibson Cup for a third time in four years after Linfield won last season's Premiership title by a massive 22 points.

Mick O'Boyle has been promoted to the role of assistant manager while Jeff Hughes, Alan Mannus, Keith O'Hara and Mark Campbell will continue in their roles as part of the backroom staff.

Larne are away to Cliftonville in their next league game on Saturday.

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Carrick Rangers knocked holders Glentoran out of the County Antrim Shield with a 5-4 penalty shootout win at Taylors Avenue.

Jimmy Callacher headed Carrick in front before Joe Thomson equalised from the penalty spot for Declan Devine's side after Marcus Kane was fouled in the box.

MJ Kamson-Kamara put the Glens in front with his first goal for the club, but Jack Scott levelled for the hosts by firing home from the spot 10 minutes from time.

With no extra-time played in the County Antrim Shield, the game went straight to penalties and Thomson was the only player to miss in the shootout, hitting the post with the Glens' first spot-kick.

In Tuesday's other quarter-final, Ben Kennedy's second-half penalty helped Ballymena United beat Championship side Newington 1-0 to progress.

There are two more quarter-finals on Tuesday, 21 October as Cliftonville face Linfield at Solitude and last year's beaten finalists Larne travel to Premier Intermediate side Ballymacash Rangers.

Meanwhile Michael O'Connor's first game in charge of Glenavon ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Championship leaders Annagh United in the Mid-Ulster Cup.

The Mourneview Park quarter-final ended 0-0 but Annagh advanced after Josh Kee's penalty was saved.

In the same competition, Rathfriland Rangers defeated Dungannon Swifts 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Armagh City beat Loughgall 1-0 at Lakeview Park while Portadown saw off Warrenpoint Town 3-0.

Limavady United and Strabane Athletic progressed to the North West Cup decider.

Limavady prevailed 12-11 in a penalty shootout after their semi-final against Coleraine ended 2-2 at Limavady Showgrounds.

At the Brandywell, Strabane overcame Institute 5-0 to reach the final.

Image source, Getty Images

Larne have announced the signing of teenage midfielder Cormac Austin on a deal until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder joins the Inver outfit after a successful trial period with the club.

Austin had spells at Cliftonville and Linfield's academies, making his professional debut for the Blues as a 16-year-old.

He then made the move to Crystal Palace in 2022, signing a three-year deal and playing for both their under-18 and under-23 sides.

"I'm delighted to be here. Having been in on trial for the past while, I've had the chance to adapt to all of the boys and they've all been really good with me," Austin told Larne's website.

"Coming back from England, I'm here to prove myself and continue my development, but I want to win things.

"I want to win at all costs, that's what keeps me happy and I'm sure the supporters would be happy with that too."

Gary Haveron, who is serving as the club's interim manager, said he hopes that Austin can fulfil his potential at Inver Park.

"He is kid who I believe possesses tremendous ability and despite being young in age, will already be in a position to become part of our squad and challenge the more senior players for their positions each matchday," he explained.

"I want this to be an environment where Cormac believes he can flourish and build on his experience at Crystal Palace and he has given us his word that he believes Larne is perfect for him to knuckle down and improve as player."

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Glentoran will face Crusaders in one of two all-Irish Premiership ties in the second round of the BetMcLean Cup.

The other will see in-form Bangor travel to Larne and ties will be played on Tuesday, 4 and Wednesday, 5 November.

Holders Cliftonville will host Premier Intermediate side Stranbane Athletic, who defeated Loughgall in the first round.

Linfield have been drawn with H&W Welders and Glenavon, who announced Michael O'Connor as manager on Saturday, will travel to Newry City.

Ballymena United will host Newington and Coleraine will take on Armagh City, who stunned Carrick Rangers in round one, and Moyola Park will travel to Dungannon Swifts in the other second round ties.

Second round draw - ties to be played Tuesday, 4 & Wednesday, 5 November

Ballymena United v Newington

Cliftonville v Strabane Athletic

Coleraine v Armagh City

Dungannon Swifts v Moyola Park

Glentoran v Crusaders

HW Welders v Linfield

Larne v Bangor

Newry City v Glenavon

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Bangor manager Lee Feeney says his players will keep their feet firmly on the ground and continue to try and progress after the Seasiders sealed their fifth win from 10 Premiership matches by beating Glenavon 3-0 at Mourneview Park on Saturday.

Tiarnan Mulvenna, Reece Neale and Jack O'Mahony were on target as Feeney's team consolidated their sixth position in the league and condemned their beleaguered opponents to an 11th straight top flight defeat.

"The players have settled in well and credit to them, they don't look one bit out of place. They're willing to do anything for each other. They'll fight for each other," Feeney told BBC Sport NI after the game.

"We have really good characters in there, good chemistry between them all. We've enjoyed it so far. We have shown good consistency.

"We're in a good place but by no means do we get carried away. We stay humble."

Feeney was satisfied with the fact that his team recovered from a difficult start to claim a second successive victory after their win over Coleraine at Clandeboye seven days previously.

Neale's second-half long-range effort was particularly special.

"After 15 or 20 minutes we sussed it out and started to come into the game after they had caused us problems.

"I was really pleased with how the players fixed things on the pitch themselves which made my half-time team talk easier. I was delighted with the clean sheet.

"Reece's desire to get on the ball and run with it and shake off the challenges of a defender earned him his goal.

"Whether he meant it or not, he'll tell you he did, so listen I'll go with that."

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side will continue to "get better and develop as a team" after watching the Bannsiders defeat derby rivals 3-1 at the Warden Street Showgrounds to leapfrog Glentoran into top place in the Irish Premiership table.

An opener from Will Patching was followed by a Matthew Shevlin double as the visitors took control, before Ben Kennedy replied with a late consolation strike.

Higgins' charges had lost two of their previous three league encounters, including a loss to 10-man Bangor last week, but bounced back in style to move two points clear at the summit.

"To score a goal so early in a derby was obviously a major help. The start of the game gave us a big platform," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought we showed different sides of our game today. I thought in the early stages we played some brilliant football in terms of possession.

"We scored three great goals and then we dug in when we needed to dig in. Our third goal was sensational, a really good team goal."

The former Derry City boss went on to praise Shevlin's huge contribution and his team's game management in the latter stages.

"Matthew Shevlin has come in today and I thought his all-round play was exceptional. Two brilliant goals, two brilliant finishes, but I thought his workrate was sensational.

"He led from the front and it was infectious right throughout the team.

"We have experienced players who managed the game quite well and we're delighted with the three points."

Higgins believes there is much more to come from his side.

"We are where we want to be. We're competing and we've won a lot of games playing some brilliant football at times.

"I know that we'll develop and get better as a team, I've absolutely no doubt about that.

"The signs are good but we definitely have to eradicate some of the types of goals we've conceded in recent weeks. If we can do that we'll become a real top team."

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Dungannon Swifts recovered from a goal down at half-time to beat Glentoran 3-1 and end Declan Devine's unbeaten run in the Irish Premiership.

Marcus Kane's headed goal had the Glens one goal to the good against the run of play, before Jordan Jenkins was sent-off for a second bookable offence after the break.

Leo Alves with a free-kick, Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe and Adam Glenny then found the net to make it five wins out of six in the top division for Swifts.

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree: "Massive three points. They're hard to come by when you're up against the Glens. Glentoran are a very good side, have been all season, but I thought in the first half we were exceptional.

We found ourselves one-nil down after 21 minutes, and I couldn't understand how. We were in control, used the ball well, played well and created a good opportunity. But we showed great character after going behind.

It was important we stayed in the game and didn't let it become two-nil because that would've been a mountain to climb.

We got in at half-time, spoke about doing the simple things well, and gave ourselves every chance - and that's exactly what we did.

In the second half, I actually thought we played better in the first than the second, but we scored three in the second, so it's a really pleasing three points."

Glentoran first team coach Tim McCann: "I understand decisions go for you and against you, that's football. I understand refereeing is a tough job, I really do. But it's got to be consistent.

"We felt we were very harshly dealt with today, and the sending-off absolutely killed us and killed the game. It's a tough one to take."

"We're not going to lose focus. It's maybe one defeat in 10 or 11 games. It still hurts and it'll hurt the boys over the weekend, but we've had a chat in the changing room.

"We can't let it define our season or our next game. We'll work on what we did wrong today and try to put it right."

Image source, Presseye

Former Northern Ireland midfielder Michael O'Connor has been named as the new manager of Irish Premiership side Glenavon.

The 38-year-old succeeds Paddy McLaughlin in the position, the former Institute and Cliftonville boss having parted ways with the Mid Ulster club at the end of last month.

After plying his trade in England, O'Connor made 70 appearances for Glenavon as a player between 2020 and 2023 and went on to become assistant manager at Newry City for a spell, before occupying the same role as part of Dean Shiels' backroom staff at Coleraine.

Glenavon's 3-0 home defeat by Bangor on Saturday made it 11 defeats from 11 matches for the club so far this season and they are languishing 10 points behind Crusaders at the foot of the table, having played two games more than the north Belfast club.

A short statement released by the club on Saturday evening said: "Glenavon FC can announce the appointment of their new manager, Michael O'Connor. He will be joined by Mark Ferguson and Andrew Doyle."

Lurgan Blues players David McDaid and Niall Quinn had formed part of Glenavon's interim management team, along with coaches Tim Lennon and Ryan Prentice, since McLaughlin's departure a fortnight ago.

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Glentoran manager Kim Turner has said that winning the league would 'put the cherry on top of the cake' ahead of her side's Women's Premiership title decider on Sunday (18:00 BST) against Cliftonville.

The Glens go into the final game of the season two points ahead of defending champions Cliftonville, who need to take victory at the Blanchflower Stadium to stop the east Belfast side from regaining the trophy.

The winners of the Premiership title will not only lift the trophy at the weekend but also book a coveted spot in the Champions League.

"This is where we wanted to be at the start of the year, so the fact that we are here means we are hitting those goals and values," Turner told BBC Sport NI.

"The girls deserve nothing but this. I can be biased, but I don't think any team works harder than us away from the field.

"The way they look after their bodies, the commitment and the extra sessions they are willing to do, they do not get enough credit. I feel like the league title would put the cherry on top of the cake."

Both teams lost their home matches against their main title rivals when they met earlier on in the season, with the respective losses representing the two sides' only defeat of the campaign.

They have also played in the Women's League Cup final, when the Reds came from two goals down to win 4-2 at Seaview.

However, Turner said they are "glad" that defeat happened and that "it is not going to happen again" ahead of Sunday's showdown.

"The biggest thing that Cliftonville have had, and always will, have is that never-say-die attitude," the former Northern Ireland midfielder continued.

"We learnt that the hard way in the final.

"We have learnt from that and we are glad that happened as it is not going to happen again."

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Portadown manager Niall Currie will seek to rebuild his backroom following the departures of assistant Cliffy Adams and first team coach John McAllister.

The club confirmed both Adams and McAllister will depart "with immediate effect", bringing a three-year spell to an end having arrived with Currie in October 2022.

In that time, Portadown made a return to the top flight as Championship winners in 2023/24, a season in which they also won the Mid Ulster Cup and reached the final of the BetMcLean Cup where they lost to Linfield.

Upon their return to the Premiership last season, they helped the Ports to their highest finish in a decade when finishing eighth, one place outside the European play-offs.

They depart with Portadown eighth in the table thanks to back-to-back wins, with Currie's side preparing to travel to Carrick Rangers on Saturday (15:00 BST).

In a statement, the club offered its gratitude to the departing pair.

"Everyone at Portadown Football Club thank Cliffy and John for their contributions, commitment and effort during their time at Shamrock Park and wish them well for the future," they said.

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Larne captain Tomas Cosgrove has been named September's Irish Premiership player of the month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

The 32-year-old played in all of the Inver Reds five victories in September as they beat Bangor, Glenavon, Crusaders and Carrick Rangers in the league and Queen's in the County Antrim Shield.

Defender Cosgrove also played a key part in his side not conceding for the whole month of September in all competitions.

"It's the first time I've won this award so I'm thrilled," Cosgrove said after picking up the award.

"I'm the man collecting the trophy, but we defend as a team, so all the players deserve credit for the clean sheets.

"Gary Haveron has been brilliant as well, he has kept the ship steady through some tough times."

While September was a very successful month for Larne, October has not been as kind thus far with a 2-0 by Dungannon Swifts in Haveron's first loss since he became interim manager.

"We were excellent in September but obviously started October with a loss to Dungannon Swifts," Cosgrove continued.

"Hopefully we can bounce back and put more wins on the board."