Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

After the sides played out a 0-0 draw at Taylors Avenue, a game in which Kyle Cherry missed a penalty, BBC Sport NI caught up with Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter and Loughgall coach Daniel Wright.

Baxter on the game:

"Huge disappointment because our first half performance was good, we miss a penalty and we had three huge opportunities. We don't turn that into goals and the game should be well out of sight but it's not. Very frustrated, to miss opportunities from penalties is just wrong.

Wright on the game:

"It was a relatively poor game of football, it was cagey. The game lacked quality in key moments. It was a brilliant save from Nathan again today from the penalty, it impacts the game and the result so we're grateful that he's there.

On the chances of Loughgall avoiding relegation:

"Until mathematically it's not possible that we can stay up we are more than up for the fight and our belief is the same. We are going out every game trying to get three points. It can feel like two points dropped today but on analysis of the game, I don't think anyone deserved to win it. "

Image source, Pacemaker Press

After Ballymena United's 2-0 win against Portadown, BBC Sport NI caught up with Sky Blues boss Jim Ervin and Ports manager Niall Currie.

Ervin on picking up a first win of the year:

"It has been a difficult period with injuries and suspensions, we've had players playing through injuries and a bench full of youth team players. I asked the players to give me everything and from start to finish, we were brilliant, and the players got their rewards today which was very pleasing."

On James Hood's first goal for the club:

"He is 17, a hometown boy and he has been exceptional for us. He probably didn't expect to start today but we believe in him and trust him. I am over the moon for him, what a way to score your first goal for the club! He doesn't look like a 17-year-old on the pitch."

Currie on the defeat:

"I'm disappointed, it was a helter-skelter game, we missed chances, didn't manage the game properly and didn't keep our discipline. It wasn't to be today; we didn't start with the intensity we have in previous games. Credit to Ballymena, we played into their hands and were feeding off scraps."

Image source, Inpho

After Dungannon Swifts' 1-0 win over Larne, BBC Sport NI caught up with Inver boss Gary Haveron and Swifts manager Rodney McAree.

Haveron on Larne's lack of conviction:

"For long periods we asked so many questions, we got in behind time and time again and I can't believe we haven't got a goal, we were just wasteful. I was heartbroken for the boys to come in at half-time 1-0 down because they played so well the first 35 minutes. Everything seems to be going against us, the one chance they get they score."

McAree on the game and importance of the victory:

"I thought we started the game poorly, we go in fortunate enough at 1-0 up at half-time but second half we showed composure and experience and managed to get over the line. It's a fantastic result and any three points are valuable, we will just keep challenging ourselves, we've done ever so well to have 46 points at this stage."

After Cliftonville's 2-0 win over Glentoran, BBC Sport NI caught up with Reds boss Jim Magilton and Glens manager Declan Devine.

Magilton on the game:

"It was a big night for us, I thought we were outstanding. It's always going to be a tough game, given our circumstances - we needed to win. In the first half, we cancelled each other out, a sparring match, really. The second half was better for us and we scored two good goals and probably edged it."

Magilton on building momentum towards the split:

"Tonight was a big result for us; there's no doubt about that - we stuttered. We need to build momentum, we have a massive few weeks coming up. We need to finish in the top six as there's a lot of expectation at this club, and rightly so."

Devine on the game:

"The second half was unlike us, we haven't played with the intensity or quality we have in recent weeks, and both boxes have cost us tonight. We switched off for two poor goals. I can't knock the effort of the players, but we were off it. We had chances to take the lead, and they've come back to bite us. There's no hiding from it; we made mistakes tonight and full credit to Jim and his team. They punished us."

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena United v Portadown (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

We played Ballymena the other night, they're very good at home, are resilient and it's a very difficult pitch to play on. Portadown are having an unbelievable season. They're very good at home. I fancy the way both teams play it'll be a score draw.

Prediction: 1-1

Carrick Rangers v Loughgall (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

I think the game is probably more important for Carrick boss Stephen Baxter. Loughgall have improved over the last number of weeks, and maybe if it were at home it would be a different story, but I just think Carrick might have too much.

Prediction: 1-0

Glenavon v Crusaders (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Glenavon have been scoring goals and they've been flying under Paddy McLaughlin. Crusaders have also picked up points over the last number of weeks, and seem to be having a resurgence. Mourneview is a very difficult place to go, and against a revitilised Glenavon, I just feel that a score draw will be on the cards.

Prediction: 2-2

Larne v Dungannon Swifts (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

Dungannon are chasing probably the highest position in the league that they have done for years, and they play without fear. Larne have hit a little bit of a sticky patch and will be trying to get out of it, having not won in four. I don't want to sit on the fence here, so I fancy Larne to win this one with their home advantage.

Prediction: 2-1

Linfield v Coleraine (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

With Linfield going for the league, they're not slipping up. I think Joel Cooper is back, and they might have a few other boys back. Coleraine have been playing well, but they've just been struggling to get any bit of consistency.

Prediction: 2-0

Don't forget to join Tim with Orla Bannon on Sportsound this week from 14:00 GMT on Saturday for all the latest from the Irish Premiership. Available on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website.

Image source, Presseye

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says he is preparing to face a Larne team who he expects may be feeling "like a wounded animal" in Saturday's Irish Premiership contest at Inver Park.

The back-to-back Premiership champions are without a win in their past four league games, Gary Haveron's side drawing with Glenavon on Tuesday night after suffering three straight defeats.

"They're probably a wee disgruntled at the moment as results haven't been going their way. They're going to be like a wounded animal," said McAree.

"They'll be looking to get back on track as they chase an automatic place to qualify for Europe

"They've played a lot of football this season but they have a lot of quality players and a lot of people who can hurt you so we have to make sure we are at the top level of our game to get something."

Dungannon Swifts sit third in the table, three points above Larne, who have played three games fewer, ahead of this weekend's meeting.

"There's a good spirit among the boys, good camaraderie. Everyone's pulling in the same direction.

"We're enjoying every game at this moment in time. We're not putting pressure on ourselves, not thinking about what might be and what mightn't be. We're just enjoying our football and looking forward to the next challenge.

"We find ourselves in a position that is not the norm for us but we're embracing it and we're trying to stay there for as long as we possibly can."

The Swifts' performances this season will have led to many of their players attracting attention from other clubs but McAree says their priority will be to build on progress made this season.

"The club are working tirelessly to try and build on what we have at this moment and time, not lose players but add to the squad to try and challenge ourselves to do better again.

"We want to be successful towards the end of this season and give ourselves something to build on, something to attract other players to maybe come and play for Dungannon Swifts."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Presseye

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter has urged his players to "take up the challenge and express themselves" in Saturday's crucial Irish Premiership basement encounter against Loughgall at Taylors Avenue.

As both sides battle for their top division survival, Baxter's team sit 11th in the table, nine points above their bottom-placed opponents, having played one game more.

Carrick have drawn four and lost six of their past 10 league outings since lasting tasting victory in a win over Ballymena United on 30 November.

"It will be two teams that are battling very, very hard and two teams that are competitive," said Baxter of this weekend's contest.

"The motivation of the team is not a problem at all. The players are super guys.

"I always think you have to take these things as a challenge. You shouldn't worry too much and say to ourselves 'we can go and do this'. Don't be frightened of the experience - just go and play and express yourself and don't be worrying too much about it."

Carrick's poor league run has been interspersed with Irish Cup wins over Championship sides Newry City and Ballinamallard United which have taken them to the quarter-finals of that competition.

In their two top flight meetings with Loughgall so far this season, Dean Smith's team came out on top 3-0 in August and their December encounter ended in a goalless draw.

"There is very little in it between the two teams and we have yet to get the better of them," added the former Crusaders boss.

"We have been competing really, really well with all the teams. We've won our couple of cup games in there too which has been good.