Irish League Football

First-half goals from Joel Cooper and Chris McKee helped Linfield beat a resilient Crusaders 2-1 at Windsor Park and move 19 points clear at the top of the table.

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Image source, Presseye

Dungannon Swifts won the Mid-Ulster Cup with a 2-1 victory over Loughgall at Stangmore Park.

Rodney McAree's side led 2-0 at half-time after strikes from Brandon Bermingham and Kealan Dillon before Jordan Gibson pulled one back deep into added time.

Bermingham's goal came as early as the 11th minute but the attacker's joy was short-lived after he hobbled off soon after having picked up a knock in the act of scoring.

The Swifts' lead was maintained only after Danny Wallace cleared Jay Boyd's goal-bound effort off the line and that intervention loomed all the larger when Dillon doubled the advantage in first-half injury time.

In the second half, substitute Tomas Galvin thought he had made it 3-0 only to see his effort flagged for offside.

Gibson's strike reduced the arrears in the final minute of the game but, after defeats in the past two finals, Dungannon held on to win the trophy for a first time since 2016.

Image source, Glentoran FC

Glentoran have bolstered their attack by signing Nathaniel Ferris from Irish Premiership strugglers Loughgall on a three-and-a-half year deal for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old striker moves to the Oval just three days after scoring against the Glens in a 2-1 defeat at Lakeview Park, his sixth of the season in the top flight this campaign.

The Glens moved for Ferris after missing out on Kieran Offord, who joined rivals Linfield on Sunday.

Loughgall sit nine points adrift at the bottom of the standing while Glentoran moved up to second after their comeback win over the Villagers.

Ferris is Loughgall's all-time leading goalscorer, netting 74 goals in 184 appearances, having also previously played for Dungannon Swifts, Annagh United and Portadown.

He played a major part in Loughgall's Championship-winning campaign in 2022-23, then found the net 15 times in the Irish League's top division in 2023-24.

Ferris becomes Glens manager Declan Devine's fifth signing of the January transfer window, joining Shane McEleney, Ciaran Coll, Christie Pattison and Joe Thomson.

"I'm absolutely delighted to join Glentoran. It's a massive club, and when a team of this size comes calling, it's hard to say no," said Ferris.

"Loughgall has been fantastic to me throughout my career and I've thoroughly enjoyed my time there, but I'm an ambitious player and I felt this was the perfect moment to take the next step and join one of the top sides in the Premiership."

Devine commented: "Nathaniel is a player who has impressed us for some time and we've been tracking his progress closely, so we're thrilled to welcome him to the Oval.

"He brings a new dimension to our forward line and perfectly complements the talent we already have in the squad."

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran assistant manager Tim McCann says Joe Thomson is a "top, top quality player" after the debutant scored both both goals as the east Belfast side fought back to beat Loughgall 2-1 on Saturday.

Nathaniel Ferris bagged a first-half opener for the bottom club at Lakeview Park before Thomson's double won it for the Glens.

Thompson, who moved from Larne to the Glens earlier this week, hit a superb equaliser before slotting home a penalty two minutes from time.

"Before his first goal Joe was struggling with an injury, he had a bit of a dead leg but we'd no more subs left because we had put everyone on to try and win the game," said McCann.

"He managed to get through it and then manages to score two goals.

"That's why the club signed him - he's a top top quality player, he's a leader on the pitch and has a never-say-die attitude. That's exactly what this club is all about."

The victory came four days after Glentoran ended a five-year wait for silverware by winning the Co Antrim Shield.

It also extended their unbeaten run to 12 games but McCann admits they were pushed all the way by Loughgall.

"It was heart in the mouth stuff the whole way through the game. It's always difficult to play against a good Loughgall team.

"It's difficult to come back from a goal down, the pitch wasn't conducive to play nice football, it was just a battle and we told the players that

"We're 11 players down and that's not making an excuse. We keep talking about the size of our squad and people stepping up. To a man everyone stepped up today."

Image source, PACEMAKER

Kieran Offord has left Scottish Premiership club St Mirren to join Irish Premiership side Linfield for an undisclosed fee.

The league leaders have reportedly seen off the challenge of big Belfast rivals Glentoran in securing the signature of the 20-year-old Scot.

Offord had just been recalled by his parent club midway through a season-long loan spell with Crusaders.

The striker scored 10 goals in 21 Premiership appearances for the north Belfast club, netting a further four goals in five outings in knockout cup competitions.

"We are thrilled to welcome Kieran to Linfield - he is a player we have been tracking for a number of months, and we believe he has the ability to add more quality to the squad in this crucial period," Blues boss David Healy told the club website.

"His time at Crusaders has shown that he has what it takes to be a top player in this league, he has a good goal scoring record at this level and we're looking forward to working with him to develop further.

"I'd like to thank the club for their persistence in getting this done and also thank you to our Head of Recruitment Willie McKeown for his hard work in getting this signing over the line."

Prior to his Crusaders loan spell Offord made 14 senior appearances for St Mirren and spent time on loan at other Scottish clubs including Stirling Albion, Alloa Athletic and Edinburgh City.

"Once we spoke to Willie McKeown and David Healy, we felt this was the club for Kieran to take the next step in his career," said Offord's agent Phil Korklin.

Image source, PACEMAKER

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton says his side conceded "two really poor goals" in the 2-1 defeat by leaders Linfield on Saturday.

Joe Gormley gave the Reds a 76th-minute lead at Windsor Park and it came after Linfield's Chris Shield saw his first-half penalty saved by David Odumosu.

The hosts struck twice in two minutes - through Kyle McClean and Matthew Fitzpatrick - to clinch victory and move 16 points clear at the top.

"It's a disappointing night - after half-time we were set up better and we showed a bit more vigour and had a little bit more aspiration on the ball," said Magilton.

"We scored a really good goal and then we couldn't catch a breath - if you you give the opposition, like Linfield with time and space and quality they have they are going to capitalise on that and we conceded two really poor goals. "

Magilton was particularly critical of his team's first-half performance after a defeat which sees the Reds drop to seventh place.

"It was a very disappointing first-half display - we needed half-time to come pretty quickly to regroup, to have a chat and to emphasis the positives.

"We just didn't play at all, we didn't show enough courage to get on the ball and play. We invited pressure and allowed Linfield to boss the game.

"What's disappointing from our perspective is that with the opportunities we had we gave the ball over needlessly and really poorly."

Image source, PACEMAKER

Linfield manager David Healy says his team deserved their 2-1 comeback victory over Cliftonville at Windsor Park.

Chris Shields saw his penalty saved by Reds keeper David Odumosu before Joe Gormley put the the visitors in front on 76 minutes.

The leaders fought back and hit two goals in two minutes to win it with substitute Kyle McClean levelling before Matthew Fitzpatrick fired home the winner.

"I thought we were very good - we found ourselves behind to a typical Joe Gormley goal," said Healy.

"So we reponded. The first goal was well-worked with Kyle McClean getting a fantastic equaliser and then the ground became energised and the players re-energised.

"The winner was a wonderful goal. Kyle came on and played a huge part in the goal and Fitzy [Fitzpatrick] popped up with the winner. We were fully deserving of the three points."

Linfield are sitting pretty at the Premiership summit with the victory extending their lead to 16 points.

Healy made clear that it's all about clocking up the points at this stage of the season.

"A lot of people outside Linfield question our performances yet the results have been good.

"Sometimes I question performances but the most important thing, certainly at this stage, is the three points."

Image source, Pacemaker

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

I fancy Glentoran for this one. Obviously they're on a good run and building momentum as evidenced by their County Antrim Shield triumph. The return of young Benji Magee on loan will give Dean Smith's side a lift. At this stage of the season Loughgall need more goals which is the difference between winning and losing. Saying that, the Glens will edge this one on the day.

Prediction: 1-3

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

Gary Haveron will be looking to bounce back after disappointment in the County Antrim Shield, as well as the loss of a few players too. Larne are a good strong side still, with the team they assembled for their European campaign. While Ballymena have strengthened, I think home advantage will get Larne over the line.

Prediction: 2-0

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

Rodney McAree has done a fantastic job, keeping the Swifts at the top end of the table, while also playing an attractive brand of football which is good to see. Dungannon's home form has been decent, although they bit of a blip last week against Glenavon, but Coleraine have been producing indifferent form. Dean Shiels has a very good squad of players but I think home advantage will play a part again.

Prediction: 2-1

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

Declan Caddell got a good result against Coleraine away from home which will give them a lift after a couple of disappointing results. Home advantage counts and while Portadown had a good result there earlier in the season when they won at Seaview, I think Crusaders will edge this one.

Prediction: 2-1

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

Paddy McLaughlin has gone to Mourneview Park and put a really good stamp on the Glenavon team. He's made some significant signings in goalkeeper Tadhg Ryan and young Sean Carlin from Institute. Stephen Baxter is also trying to put his stamp on Carrick Rangers with his recent transfer activity but Glenavon at Mourneview will be a battle for Carrick so I would imagine a home win there.

Prediction: 3-1

Linfield v Cliftonville (Saturday, 17:30 GMT, Live on BBC2 NI, BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)

Linfield are running away with the league at the minute. They've done a brilliant job and David Healy has been doing a fantastic job in maintaining the momentum that they've got. A lot of credit has to go to the Blues for that consistency. Jim Magilton has lost Ronan Doherty to Larne and Taylor Steven to parent club St Johnstone through no fault of his own but the Reds have come away with some really good results at Windsor in recent times. Could be a close one!

Prediction: 2-2

Don't forget to join Paul with Michael McNamee 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, Inpho

Larne have secured the double signing of Harland and Wolff Welders duo Tiarnan O'Connor and Josh Kee, while the Irish Premiership champions have also allowed Benji Magee to return to Loughgall on loan for the rest of the season.

The sought after pair have been impressing at Blanchflower Park this season, with former Maiden City striker O'Connor, 22, having netted 18 goals in the Championship.

He will bolster Gary Haveron's attacking options at Inver Park immediately, while Kee, also 22, will remain in east Belfast until the end of the season.

"We have been tracking the form of both players over a period of time now and have been really impressed with what we've seen," said Larne's head of football Nathan Rooney.

"We delivered our plans to both players and outlined how we see them playing huge parts for our football club moving forward

"Tiarnan comes with a presence and an ability to cause real problems for defenders with his instinctive style and he has real eye for goal and these credentials will add so much to our playing squad.

"Josh has a real calmness and a guile about his game and he will add to our midfield with his ability to play with a high intensity and his attitude to work hard off the ball."

Magee's loan departure sees him return to Lakeview Park where he made his name last season.

He scored 16 goals during the 2023-24 Premiership campaign to help the Villagers finish ninth in the top flight.

Dean Smith's side are rooted to the bottom of the table this year, however, and Magee returns having struggled for games during his five months at the Inver Reds.

"Benji will return to us with the momentum that he requires and will come back with four months more playing experience where he can hit the ground running in pre-season," added Rooney.

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin says his team's recent upturn in results and performances has "been down to sheer hard work by the players and staff".

The Lurgan Blues have won won five and drawn one of their past seven games in all competitions under the former Cliftonville boss who succeeded Stephen McDonnell in the role in mid-November.

An impressive 3-2 victory over second-placed Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on Friday was particularly satisfying for McLaughlin.

"There's been no magic wand. We've had some really good performances, especially Friday night. Friday night was excellent," he said.

"We all know how good Dungannon are, how well drilled and the good football they play under Rodney [McAree] so we knew we had to match that and better it if we wanted to come out on top.

"There's still a long way to go so we're not getting too carried away. We're playing well and getting good results but things can change very quickly in football."

The manager of the Mourneview Park club says his side is reaping the benefits of increasing training nights from two to three.

"You've seen the immediate impact it has had, the benefits are there for all to see.

"I'm a firm believer that the more time you're together you build up better relationships and the more time you're on the pitch you can develop your game a lot more."

McLaughlin says he is examining the possibility of bringing players in during the January transfer window but "only if they are right for the club and for the team".

Glenavon's recent results see them sit 10th in the table, six points above Saturday's opponents Carrick Rangers, who have a match in hand.

"It's important we keep gathering points because we are in a dangerous position but we're also not that far behind the teams who are sitting in mid-table," McLaughlin added.

"We're not looking over our shoulder, we're looking at who is ahead of us and who can we pull back next."

Image source, Glentoran

Glentoran have made a further signing by snapping up Larne midfielder Joe Thomson for an undisclosed fee.

The 28-year-old's arrival is the latest during an January transfer window which has already seen winger Christie Pattisson move from Waterford and Shane McEleney and Ciaran Coll join the Oval outfit from Derry City.

Former Scotland Under-21 international Thomson has agreed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Glens.

A product of Celtic's academy, Thomson had loan spells at Dumbarton, Livingston and Queen of the South before establishing himself at Dunfermline Athletic and later Derry City, where he played under Glens boss Declan Devine.

Thomson moved Larne in January 2023 and helped them win consecutive Irish Premiership titles and achieve qualification for the Uefa Conference League.

"I'm absolutely delighted to sign for Glentoran," said Thomson.

"As an opposition player, it was always a challenge [to play at the Oval] and I can't wait to experience that incredible support as a home player."

Devine described Thomson as a "proven performer with a blend of quality, tenacity and creativity that makes him an outstanding box-to-box midfielder capable of influencing games at both ends".

"His arrival bolsters an already competitive midfield group featuring [Fuad] Sule, [James] Singleton, [Cameron] Palmer, [James] Douglas, [Charlie] Lindsay and [Finley] Thorndike, adding both depth and quality to a crucial area of the team," added the Glentoran manager.

The east Belfast outfit won their first trophy since the 2020 Irish Cup when beating Larne on penalties to secure the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday night.

Image source, David Cavan/Coleraine FC

Coleraine have signed Larne defender Levi Ives on a "multi-year deal".

Ives, 27, becomes the club's third arrival this month after Patrick Burns and Ronan Doherty.

Before turning out for the Inver Reds, Ives played for Torquay United, before joining Cliftonville in 2015 and making 245 appearances for the Solitude club.

He joined Larne in June 2023 for an undisclosed fee and has been an important figure for the east Antrim club as they secured back-to-back Irish Premiership titles and advanced to the league stage of the Uefa Conference League.

"Levi is a big signing and defence was an area we were looking to strengthen in this window," said Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels.

"He brings a lot of experience and a lot of quality in the defensive area.

"He's a winner and he's won everything there is to win in this country. He is a young age and we are getting his prime years which is massive for us."

Coleraine are currently ninth in the Irish Premiership and face Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park in their next game on Saturday.

Linfield winger Joel Cooper has been heavily linked to a move to Coleraine, with a pre-contract reportedly agreed for a summer switch to the Showgrounds.

Image source, Inpho

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell admits Kieran Offord "probably excelled quicker" than he thought he would after his season-long loan at Seaview was cut short by Scottish Premiership side St Mirren.

The Scottish forward scored 14 goals, including 10 in the league, during his loan spell at the club, including three against north Belfast rivals Cliftonville as he quickly established himself as a fans' favourite.

"He's had four loan spells before this one and none have really worked out," said Caddell.

"I brought in a player that I knew had a lot of potential and maybe needed that wee bit of confidence and that little bit of belief put back into him which we spent a lot of time doing and he has reaped the rewards for it.

"I'm delighted for him that once he's called back there's interest from a couple of clubs in him and that's probably testament to ourselves and to him in terms of the project we are trying to do."

Having reportedly attracted interest from Irish League clubs, Caddell admits there is a "possibility" that Offord will be lining up against the Crues in the coming months.

"I know Kieran quite well and we've been quite open and honest about everything," he added.

"It was never Kieran's ambition to spend one, two or three seasons here in the Irish League and I made that clear from day one that I wanted him to come over and use it as that stepping stone or pathway to bigger and better things.

"For me that hasn't changed, he's always had ambitions to play at the highest level he can and from the few months he's been involved he's proved he can at a higher level.

"He bound to get the interest with how he started the season and how it has gone for him."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran keeper Andrew Mills was "lost for words" after his penalty shootout heroics helped the Glens win their first County Antrim Shield in 14 years.

A stunning strike from Charlie Lindsay gave Declan Devine's side the lead before Andy Ryan's spot-kick levelled the game with neither side able to find another goal before the end of regular time.

Mills, who has recently signed a new 18-month deal at the Oval, then produced a superb stop during the shootout to divert Levi Ives' effort with all five of Glentoran's penalty takers finding the back of the net.

"I'm just delighted and lost for words," Mills told BBC Sport NI.

"It's been a special night with the way we won it and the way we worked so hard.

"To do it in front of the fans and my family who were here - these are the moments in football that you dream of."

The silverware is the first at the Oval since they lifted the Irish Cup back during the 2019/20 season and also denies Larne from writing their name in the history books as the first side to win the County Antrim Shield for five consecutive seasons.

Devine, who was confirmed as permanent manager in April after a spell as caretaker boss, tasted success with the east Belfast side as a player in 1996 when he helped the club win the Irish Cup.

"Declan Devine brings everything. We trust him to the moon and back," said Mills.

"If there is one thing about him it's his honesty. When he gives us his honesty, we give him the trust and whether it's good or bad he always tells us it straight and we respect him in the team. You can also see the fans respect him.

"I've played in many teams and there is just something special here."