Irish League Football

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Glentoran striker Jay Donnelly will spend the rest of the season on loan at NIFL Championship side Newington.

The former Cliftonville man has scored 78 goals in 179 appearances for the east Belfast club and won the Irish Premiership's Golden Boot award in 2021-22.

The 29-year-old, who joined the club in 2020, has fallen down the pecking order under manager Declan Devine this season with Jordan Jenkins and David Fisher leading the line in the former Derry City boss' 4-3-3 formation.

Glentoran added Loughgall's Nathaniel Ferris, another striker, last week.

"We felt the best decision was to facilitate a loan move that allows [Donnelly] to play regularly and regain his sharpness in a competitive environment," said Devine.

"We know the quality Jay possesses and this loan provides him with the platform to rebuild momentum with consistent game time.

"We have no doubt he will make a real impact at Newington and we wish him all the best for the remainder of the season."

Donnelly's older brother, Ruaridhri, who has since returned to Cliftonville, spent the second half of last season on loan at Newington, also from Glentoran.

Elsewhere on transfer deadline day, Loughgall moved to replace Ferris by bringing former Glentoran striker Kirk McLaughlin to Lakeview Park from Coleraine.

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Linfield have signed Scottish winger Callumn Morrison from Falkirk on a two-and-a-half year contract for an undisclosed fee.

The 25-year-old is a product of the Hearts academy and made 30 first-team appearances for the Edinburgh club before moving to Falkirk, where he established himself as one of the standout players in the Scottish lower leagues.

During the 2023-24 campaign, Morrison played a significant part in Falkirk's unbeaten season in Scottish League One, helping the club secure promotion to the Championship.

His performances saw him named PFA Scotland League One Player of the Year, while also finishing as the league's top scorer, lifting the Golden Boot award.

His spell at Falkirk saw him make over 150 appearances, scoring 64 goals.

"It's no secret that Callumn is a player we have admired and attempted to sign for some time, and we are thrilled to bring him to Linfield," said manager David Healy.

"His pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability will add another dimension to our attacking options and adds more vital title-winning experience to our ranks."

"Callumn could easily have stayed in Scotland with there being interest from Premiership clubs but has made it clear that he wanted to come to Linfield and build on his ambition to win trophies. I believe he will be a fantastic addition to our squad as we push for further success."

Last week the Blues further strengthened their attacking options by adding St Mirren forward Kieran Offord, formerly on loan at Crusaders, to their ranks.

Linfield sit 19 points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table, with their next game, an away fixture against Ballymena United, to be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app on Friday night.

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Coleraine have announced the signing of defender Charles Dunne pending international clearance.

The 31-year-old joins the Irish Premiership club from St Mirren, where he made almost 100 appearances for the Paisley-based outfit.

A London native, Dunne started his career at Wycombe Wanderers and after a loan spell at Staines Town, joined Blackpool on a permanent basis in 2013.

Dunne had further spells on loan at Wycombe Wanderers and Crawley Town before joining Oldham Athletic, for who he played 18 times.

The former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international then moved to Motherwell, playing in the 2017 Scottish League Cup and 2018 Scottish Cup finals.

After a four-year stay at Fir Park, Dunne went on to play for St Mirren.

Speaking about the signing of Dunne, Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels said: "Centre back is a position we have been looking to add experience to help the younger players.

"Charles is a commanding centre-back who has played at a really high level this season in the Scottish Premiership. He also possesses the experience to organise and communicate.

"He is good in possession and is very quick, which are great qualities to have."

The signing of Dunne comes hot on the heels of the arrival of striker Declan McManus from Welsh side TNS on Friday.

The Bannsiders have also added Levi Ives, Paddy Burns and Ronan Doherty to their ranks during the transfer window.

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Cliftonville have signed Australian winger Alex Parsons from A-League side Brisbane Roar.

The 25-year-old started his career with Western Pride and had a brief spell at Central Coast Mariners before joining Brisbane in 2020.

Parsons, who can play across the frontline, made the move to fellow A-League side Sydney FC in 2022 before returning to the Roar a year later.

He becomes Jim Magilton's third signing of the January window after the arrivals of Jack Keaney and Eric McWoods.

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Northern Ireland internationals Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have left Women's Premiership champions Cliftonville to join Burnley.

Both players played a key role Cliftonville's two title winning seasons in 2022 and 2024.

Maxwell managed 11 league goals and McDaniel netted the opener in the 5-0 Irish Cup final win against Lisburn Rangers as the Reds won a domestic treble last season and enjoyed an 'invincible' Women's Premiership campaign.

Winger Maxwell, who previously had a short stint at Blackburn Rovers, won the Women's Premiership Player of the Year award in 2023 and 2024

The 22-year-old has won 16 caps for Northern Ireland, scoring two goals.

McDaniel joined John McGrady's side in 2021 after spells with Linfield, Hearts and Blackburn Rovers.

The centre midfielder was part of Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad and has won 17 caps, becoming first Northern Ireland women's player to score at Windsor Park, when she netted in a 4-0 victory over Latvia in 2021.

The two players will link up with international teammate Brenna McPartlan at the Clarets, who sit third in Women's Premier Division.

"It's a very competitive league and it's a big step for me, but from what I've seen of the club it's very professional," Maxwell told the club's website.

"I'm here to help with goals and assists but ultimately, the most important thing is that the team keeps getting results.

"It's an exciting time at the club with some clear goals in mind and they align with my own ambitions, so I thought it was a really good fit," McDaniel added.

"I spoke to Brenna and she told me everything about the club. Having been here for a few days now it has surpassed my expectations."

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree paid tribute to goalscorer Gael Bigirimana after their 2-1 extra-time win over Coleraine in the Irish Cup sixth round.

The midfielder opened the scoring for the home side with a stunning 25-yard striker before Tomas Galvin clinched the victory after the Bannsiders forced extra-time through Declan McManus.

"He's been in bed these last two days and he only got out of bed this morning," McAree told BBC Sport after the match.

"He came in and did a bit of a jog to see how he felt and he thought he could give us something but he's ended up giving us over 120 minutes - and that's outstanding.

"That's leadership from him and shows great character."

The Swifts, who currently sit third in the Premiership table, will face Carrick Rangers in the quarter-finals after their 3-0 win over Ballinamallard.

"We've beat a Premiership side here today - a very good one at that - and I would certaintly rather be in the draw with an away tie at Carrick," McAree continued.

"It's going to be difficult and we're going to have to go there and stand up to a physical challenge."

Stephen Alexander
BBC Sport NI contributor

Larne missed the opportunity to make inroads into Linfield's lead at the top of the Irish Premiership table as they drew 1-1 with Portadown at Inver Park in the only league fixture of the day.

Both goals came within a three-minute spell in the second half with Andy Ryan's opener for the champions cancelled out by Steven McCullough's equaliser.

The draw keeps Portadown, who had lost four of their previous five top flight outings, in fourth position in the standings.

Larne remain in sixth place, still some 24 points behind leaders Linfield, albeit with six games fewer played.

In a quiet first half, Ryan had an effort chalked off for offside following a quickly-taken free kick.

Larne had an opening when Portadown's offside trap failed from a Mark Randall free-kick but Ports keeper Aaron McCarey was able to dive to his left to comfortably save Tiarnan O'Connor's header.

Larne almost took the lead in the first 60 seconds of the second half when Tomas Cosgrove's cross from the right was met with a powerful header by Sean Graham but McCarey dived to push the effort away before it was scrambled clear.

Substitute Ben Wylie had a shot narrowly deflected wide for Portadown before another Graham header from a Cosgrove cross looped onto the crossbar before being cleared.

But the deadlock was eventually broken on 73 minutes when Dylan Sloan got to the bye-line before brilliantly cutting back a cross which was met by the in-rushing Ryan, whose effort looped over McCarey and into the net.

However, Larne's lead lasted a mere three minutes as Rabby Minzamba's low cross from the right was met by Lewis MacKinnon, whose goalbound effort was blocked but the rebound fell favourably for Steven McCullough to lash home a right-footed shot from inside the penalty area

Larne will play the next of their games in hand on Tuesday night as they make the short journey to Taylors Avenue to face neighbours Carrick Rangers.

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Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton admitted his side just "managed to find a way" to beat Glenavon 3-2 to seal their place in the Irish Cup quarter-finals.

The holders took the lead through Arran Pettifer in the first half before Michael O'Connor levelled the tie after the break.

Rory Hale thought he had won the game for the home side with a stunning late strike but an error from keeper David Odumosu presented Barney McKeown with a simple finish to force extra-time.

Magilton's side managed to snatch the victory thanks to Jonny Addis' winner in the second half of extra-time.

"With the chances created in the game it could have been 10-9," Magilton told BBC Sport NI after the game.

"I'm surprised we won the game 3-2 as both teams did give up opportunities. It takes all sorts to win a game and today we just managed to find a way."

Next up for Cliftonville is a last eight match-up with north Belfast rivals Crusaders - a tie that the Reds manager is looking forward to.

"Big game, big derby. It's an Irish Cup game so we can look forward to and relish.

"It's going to be a fantastic game, fantastic atmosphere and we've got to go and try and win."

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Crusaders have been drawn to host holders and north Belfast derby rivals Cliftonville in the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup.

In another all-Premiership tie, Carrick Rangers will be at home to Dungannon Swifts.

The other last-eight fixtures will see Championship leaders Bangor host Glentoran and another second tier side, Ards, at home to Loughgall.

The matches are scheduled to be played on Friday 28 February and Saturday 1 March.

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine said "the players deserve all the credit" after his side edged out Linfield 2-1 after extra-time in a dramatic Irish Cup sixth round tie at the Oval which saw three players sent-off.

Jordan Jenkins opened the scoring for the Glens on 53 minutes before Chris McKee equalised for the Blues on 72.

Momentum swung in Glentoran's favour when Joel Cooper was sent off in extra-time for kicking out at Jonny Russell on the ground.

Substitute Finley Thorndike marked his introduction with a sweet strike from outside the area to seal the hard-fought victory for the Glens.

Linfield's Chris Shields and Glentoran's Joe Thomson were then dismissed late in extra-time after both received second yellow cards.

"This was a very important game for us against our biggest rivals who are in incredible form themselves," said Devine.

"To be as disciplined as were were, we weren't pretty by any stretch but we worked our hearts out.

"The players deserve all the credit. They've bought in to what it takes to play for the club."

Devine expressed relief at securing passage into Saturday's quarter-final draw.

The east Belfast side are undefeated in cup competitions this season, having already clinched the County Antrim Shield and in the final of the BetMcLean Cup.

"We're in the next round, that's all that matters.

"We've got great character in our team, even when we conceded the goal. There were a lot of players running on empty and what a goal to win it.

"But testimony to Linfield too. They're a brilliant team, it was a rip-roaring cup tie and we're delighted to be in the hat."