Irish League Football

Image source, Presseye

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree conceded that his side's display in their 3-2 defeat by Glenavon at Stangmore Park did not warrant any points.

The Lurgan Blues led 2-0 at the interval courtesy of goals from David McDaid and Jack Malone but a John McGovern penalty and Andy Mitchell's header restored parity.

Malone's second of the game 10 minutes from time decided the issue and denied McAree's second-placed side the opportunity to pull clear of Glentoran and Portadown below them.

"I don't think we deserved anything out of the game. Our first half performance was far from good enough," lamented the Swifts boss.

"The players knew that too - they came in disappointed at half-time. We tried to regroup, we tried to galvanise.

"I wanted to see if we could get a response and I think to be fair we got that. We showed some fight in the second half but we still lacked the quality that we know that we have.

"We looked like we had the momentum but then we conceded a poor goal. You think you've done so well to get back into it, worked so hard, and then to concede a sloppy goal like that is disappointing."

McAree was impressed by Paddy McLaughlin's men who have now won five of their past six games in all competitions

"Glenavon were very good tonight. I thought they showed a lot of energy and a lot of quality on the ball.

"They hurt us at times and we struggled to get up to those levels. It's maybe a bit of a wake-up call that we need to do the basics better than what we did tonight.

"It's our first poor performance in a long time, we just have to get back to it as quickly as we can to put the wrongs right.

Image source, Pacemaker

Glenavon coach Colin Coates said he was happy to come out on top after a "rollercoaster" 3-2 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

Goals from David McDaid and Jack Malone had the Lurgan Blues 2-0 in front at the interval but a second-half penalty from John McGovern and Andy Mitchell's header drew the home side level.

Malone's sublime finish clinched Glenavon's fifth victory in six matches in all competitions.

"I thought we played well in the first half and we got ourselves into a 2-0 lead. Unfortunately Dungannon pulled a goal back at the start of the second half and then they had all the momentum," said Coates.

"We conceded a second goal and you kind of fear the worst and you nearly take the point at that stage.

"But credit to the players, they galvanised and the subs helped us regain a foothold in the game and get on top again and on the front foot.

"Jack Malone finished with a bit of style and then we hung on and saw the game out."

Malone reflected on "an excellent night's work" after his match-winning contribution.

"I'm delighted to get on the scoresheet," Malone said after the game.

"I was due one but didn't expect to score two. The three points were the most important thing."

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran forward David Fisher hopes to chalk up a first win over Premiership champions Larne when the sides meet at the Oval on Saturday.

The Englishman joined the east Belfast side from AFC Wimbledon in September 2023.

The in-form Glens, who lie third in the standings, will lock horns with Larne again three days later in the County Antrim Shield final.

"I've lost every game to Larne since I've got here - if we can prepare and do everything right that we have been doing then we can give them a good game," said Fisher.

"They're a very good side and they don't have the Conference League anymore so they'll be fully focused on the league.

"It's going to be a difficult game but one that we really want to try and show that we're there."

Declan Devine's side have not tasted defeat in their last 10 matches and they are also through to the BetMcLean Cup decider after Tuesday night's extra-time win over Crusaders.

Fisher was confident that the team would hit their stride and compete for the top prizes.

"We all knew it was going to come - it was a bit of a rocky start but we knew as a group it was going to come together.

"There's a good vibe around the club. We go out for brunch together and we spend lots of time together outside football.

"We've got that tigh-knit group and it's starting to show on the pitch - it's really good."

Image source, Press Eye

Northern Ireland midfielder Toni-Leigh Finnegan has left Cliftonville to sign for Scottish side Aberdeen.

The 23-year-old, who can also operate in defence, has spent her senior career with the Reds after progressing from the club's academy.

She played an integral role as John McGrady's side won a domestic treble last season and completed an 'invincible' Women's Premiership season.

Finnegan has won 10 caps for Northern Ireland after making her debut in March 2020.

Scott Booth's Aberdeen side are 10th in the Scottish Women's Premier League table.

"I'm really excited to be at Aberdeen. It is a big move in my career, and I'm excited to get started and learn from Scott and the rest of the girls," she told the club's website.

"I feel like this is the natural next step for me."

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville have signed defender Jack Keaney from League of Ireland side Drogheda United.

The 25-year-old was part of the Drogs side that beat Derry in the FAI Cup final last year during his sole season with the club.

Keaney started his career at Sligo Rovers, where he worked under Cliftonville assistant coach Gerard Lyttle, making 48 appearances in two seasons after being promoted to the first team.

The Republic of Ireland underage international then enjoyed a four-year stint with UCD before he linked up with Kevin Doherty's side last year.

Subject to international clearance, Keaney could be set for a Reds debut on Saturday as they host Loughgall in the Irish Premiership.

Image source, Larne FC

Larne have confirmed their second signing of the January transfer window with the addition of attacker Olatunde Bayode on a short-term deal until the end of this season.

Bayode arrives at Inver Park from Gibraltar Football League side Bruno's Magpies, having begun his career at then English Premier League side Burnley under Sean Dyche.

The pacy winger was a key member of Larne head of football Nathan Rooney's Magpies side which won The Rock Cup during the 2022-23 season and produced distinguished performances in the Uefa Conference League against Crusaders and Derry City.

Rooney is full of praise for the qualities he believes the 25-year-old can contribute.

"Tunde is a player who possesses a number of attributes which we feel can provide a different dynamic to our attack during the second half of this season," Rooney explained on the Larne FC website.

"Tunde had a really good upbringing at Burnley, coming through the ranks and learning from Sean Dyche on the training pitch each day. As a player, he is very direct with rapid pace and an eye for creative flair which is something we have been keen to add during the January transfer window."

Bayode commented: "It will be great to get going in a brand new league and I think my experience in England, playing in a lot of high speed, intense games, will help me settle in to the NI Football League.

"Obviously, every time is different, but playing against Crusaders and Derry City in Europe has provided a taste for the style over here and some insight into football here.

"I like to use my pace and get behind teams to cause problems and of course make an impact in games and score some goals."

The east Antrim club revealed earlier this week that they had drafted in Saint Kitts and Nevis international forward Harry Panayiotou on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

Larne sit fifth in the Premiership table and will face Glentoran in the County Antrim Shield final on Tuesday 21 January as they aim to win that competition for the fifth time in a row.

They also face the Glens this Saturday in a league game at the Oval.

Image source, PACEMAKER

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says he is relishing facing an in-form Glenavon side in Friday night's Premiership encounter.

The Lurgan Blues go into the Stangmore Park game, which will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website, having won their last three games although the Swifts are having a season to remember and sit second in standings.

Glenavon will be back in action three days after beating Championship club Dundela 2-0 at Moureview Park to make the Irish Cup sixth round.

"I saw watched them against Dundela and they were decent. They moved the ball well and showed more energy that they did when they went through a bad run of results," said McAree.

"They've a lot of good players that can hurt you so we have to make sure we're as good as we possibly can be.

"It's going to be a difficult game but it's one we're looking forward to because we find ourselves in the position that we're in."

Paddy McLaughlin replaced Stephen McDonnell as Mourneview Park manager in November and has helped move the Lurgan Blues out of the relegation zone.

"I like Paddy, he's a great guy as well - he's certainly got a little bit of bounce in them.

"He hasn't made too many changes. I expected more incomings at Mourneview but he's maybe got a little bit of a response out of the players that he has and feels he doesn't need to add too many."

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton dedicated Tuesday's dramatic BetMcLean Cup semi-final victory to his late defender Michael Newberry.

Destiny Ojo scored an extra-time winner against 10-man Larne, who had Shaun Want sent off in the second half but defended resolutely to keep Cliftonville at bay.

While there were wild celebrations after Ojo's 117th minute goal and again at full-time, Magilton admitted it was a "poignant" night for his players.

"It was a really poignant night for us, and a sombre night," he said.

"Yes, we'll enjoy this but we travel to Newcastle on Wednesday to attend Michael Newberry's funeral on Thursday."

He said the performance "characterised" late Cliftonville defender Newberry, who passed away suddenly on 30 December.

"In terms of his team-mates going to the wire, showing their guts, showing their determination and character," Magilton added.

"We're going to go and share memories with his family and give him a good send off."

Cliftonville are back in Irish Premiership action on Saturday against Loughgall, and will face Glentoran in the BetMcLean Cup final on Sunday, 9 March.

Image source, Getty Images

Premiership champions Larne have brought in forward Harry Panayiotou until the end of the season.

The 30-year-old Saint Kitts and Nevis international played under Larne's head of football Nathan Rooney at Bruno's Magpies before moving to Sirens FC in Malta last year.

Panayiotou began his career at Leicester City and scored the winner against Leeds United on his senior debut in 2012.

Spells at clubs in England, Scotland and Greece followed before he scored 12 goals in 37 appearances for Aldershot Town in the National League in the 2020/21 season.

"It's nice to get the move over the line, I've been speaking to the club for around a week or so and now that we've managed to get the deal over the line I'm buzzing," said Panayiotou, who has netted 12 times in his 38 caps for Saint Kitts and Nevis.

"As a player I'm a forward who can act as a bit of an all-rounder – I can come short but can also play long if required. I'm looking forward to getting the head down in training, getting sharper and hopefully getting some minutes when the Gaffer calls on me."

Panayiotou's international clearance will not come through in time for Tuesday's BetMcLean Cup semi-final against Cliftonville but he will be available to face Glentoran in the Premiership on Saturday.

"I have previously worked with Harrison for a short period of time in the past and I know what he will be able to bring to our group in terms of experience, having played at similar levels in England and Scotland, alongside other leagues in Europe," said Rooney.

"As a player, he possesses good hold-up play for a centre-forward, while also being able to lead the line in terms of pressing really well with an ability to mix up his movements in the box which is something that is vital that our forward line continues to do."