Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Coleraine boss Dean Shiels did not shed light on whether Joel Cooper will move to the club in January but said the club "have plans in place" for January.

The Linfield has signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Bannsiders at the end of the season.

But when pressed if he would be arriving in January and not the summer, Shiels remained tight-lipped.

"We're building for the future and we have plans in place for January and June and we're hoping to be in a much stronger position next year. We're working on improving the first team squad all the time," Shiels said.

The Bannsiders boss was speaking after his side came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with rivals Ballymena United, a game he ultimately felt they should have taken all three points from.

"We were brilliant first half, created so many chances, they had two moments and scored from them which was disappointing, the scoreline had no reflection on the game," Shiels explained.

"We could have panicked and changed things, but we kept doing what we were doing and we deserved to win the game."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Larne boss Gary Haveron said that he was "angry" that his side had three goals disallowed in their 0-0 draw with Carrick Rangers.

Cian Bolger had an early goal chalked off for a foul in the build-up before Matty Lusty saw his strike disallowed for offside.

Andy Ryan's shot from close range was also ruled out for offside and Haveron was disappointed with the performance of the officials.

"Frustrated isn't the word, it's angry, three times we have the ball in the net and not a person here can tell me why they were disallowed," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It's a mystery how we have not won this game, we have scored three perfectly good goals and it's hard to say what more the players could have done."

The draw leaves the champions 22 points behind leaders Linfield with six games in hand and Haveron knows they must put a winning run together to keep hold of the Gibson Cup.

"If there was any justice today, we would have three points, but we haven't and it's two points dropped, and we can't be affording to be dropping too many more if we want to chase Linfield down."

Image source, Press Eye

Glenavon boss Paddy McLaughlin says he was pleased with his team at both ends of pitch after the 2-0 win over Portadown in the Mid-Ulster derby.

Peter Campbell put the Mourneview Park hosts ahead in the first half with Niall Quinn's superb free-kick sealing the points against a Ports side who had goalkeeper Aaron McCarey sent off.

"I thought we were really great going forward, we broke really well when we got the opportunity and defended really well in parts of the second half," said McLaughlin.

"Our back four as a block was excellent in the second half and it needed to be because Portadown threw everything at us as you would expect being one down.

"On the break our boys were excellent, created a couple of chances, scored two and maybe could have had a third."

McLaughlin also praised the Mourneview fans after a win which saw Glenavon move two points clear of the relegation zone.

"We're delighted with the overall performance but particularly for our fans at Christmas - we understand how important the Boxing Day fixture is.

"I know it's bragging rights but the three points are the most important thing and sending the fans home happy.

"It's a good day for the club. [The fans] were brilliant, they were out in their numbers, Portadown were here in their numbers as well. They made it a great atmosphere - our fans were fantastic."

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin said that Coleraine's second goal in their 2-2 draw was "never a penalty".

The Sky Blues led their rivals 2-0 at half-time following an Ethan Devine double, but they were pegged back by goals from Cameron Stewart and Matthew Shevlin.

Shevlin's second goal came from the penalty spot after a handball in the box and Ervin was disappointed that it was awarded.

"My view and the fourth official's view was that it wasn't a penalty but we're not the man in the middle," he told BBC Sport NI.

"If he gives that one, he has to give the second one for us, a blatant one which he doesn't give."

The Sky Blues boss was ultimately left frustrated that his side only came away with a point after leading, although they did have an inspired Sean O'Neill to thank for persevering the point.

"I'm disappointed as we were 2-0 up, first half the game plan worked a treat we knew we would be out under pressure second half, but we stopped doing what we troubled them first half," Ervin continued.

"We have to take the positives away from today, Sean O'Neill was excellent, and he deserves the credit for his performance because it was incredible. "

Image source, Inpho

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said that his side "thoroughly deserved" their 2-0 derby victory against Cliftonville at Seaview.

Kieran Offord scored twice early in the second half as the Crues ended a run of three successive league losses.

And Caddell was pleased with his side's display in the home win.

"Great result, the last three games have been difficult, so we were looking for a response, it was nice to get out of the rut and we thoroughly deserved the win," he told BBC Sport NI.

Caddell was particularly pleased with his side's attitude in seeing out the victory as Cliftonville piled on the pressure in the second half looking for a route back into the game.

"They're a good footballing side so it was about stopping them building on that first half and then we needed to build on that going into the second half which we did," Caddell added.

"Cliftonville threw everything at us, so it was up to the players to show some character and dig in which I think they did extremely well."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said that his side were "lacklustre in all areas" in their 2-0 north Belfast derby defeat by Crusaders.

After a first half devoid of quality, two goals in quick succession early in the second half from Kieran Offord sealed the win for the Crues.

The defeat was Cliftonville's third successive loss in the league and Magilton accepted that they were not at the races at Seaview.

"It was pretty tepid from us especially first half. We just didn't do enough, we lacked imagination and creativity, and we were pretty lacklustre in all areas," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We talked about raising our game at half-time and the intensity and playing with more passion which we failed to do and they capitalised on that."

Magilton said that his side now "owe" Reds fans a performance after poor displays against Portadown and Glentoran before their Boxing Day loss against the Crues.

"We need to start the game better, we haven't started well in a long time. I thought we were very low-key in the changing room at half-time and came out exactly how we looked," Magilton continued.

"We didn't give ourselves a chance, two quickfire goals from Crusaders and then we started to play.

"At 2-0 down you have no other option but to play, we didn't cave in which was a plus, but Crusaders were deserved winners."

Coleraine v Ballymena Utd, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster

With the announcement of Joel Cooper signing a pre-contract with the club and speculation about other possible new arrivals at Coleraine, it's an exciting time at the club.

I didn't really appreciate how big a game this was until I was involved as a player at Ballymena and while Ballymena are coming off a win, they're without Josh Carson and Ben Kennedy through suspension. Coleraine need to start winning if they have aspirations of making the top six so I'm going to say they'll go all out to win the game.

Prediction: 2-1

Crusaders v Cliftonville, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster

The past few weeks have been tough for the Crues, they have been on a poor run of form, while Cliftonville are coming off the back of a disappointing defeat by Glentoran.

Again, a very tough one to call but Cliftonville need to get back on track so I'm going for them to win.

Prediction: 1-2

Dungannon Swifts v Loughgall, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster

Dungannon and Loughgall are two teams who have worked very hard to get where they are but I just think that Swifts have got that wee bit more quality so I'm predicting that they will win.

Both managers will be looking for a response after defeats but Rodney [McAree] will still be pleased with how his team performed in the 1-0 defeats to Linfield and Larne. They were very, very competitive in both games.

Prediction: 2-0

Glenavon v Portadown, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster

Paddy McLaughlin got his first home win under his belt as Glenavon manager against Crusaders and has his side playing well but Portadown are flying at the moment and I can't see anything other than a win for Niall Currie's side.

Prediction: 1-2

Glentoran v Linfield, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster

Glentoran against Linfield at the Oval is always a special occasion and the Boxing Day Big Two encounter is, without doubt, one of the highlights of the season. I was fortunate to be involved in some of them as a player and a coach at Linfield.

Glentoran are in fantastic form and Linfield have lost all three games between the teams this season, which is unheard of. I think Linfield will go there and try to make a point and they won't lose this one.

Prediction: 2-2

Larne v Carrick Rangers, 15:00 GMT, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster

You have to give Larne a lot of credit in that they beat Gent and then went on and defeated Dungannon on Monday night.

Now that their European adventure is over they can concentrate on trying to clinch that third league title in a row and qualifying for Europe again. I'm going for a Larne victory.

Prediction: 2-0

Don't forget to join Darren with Michael McNamee on Sportsound on Thursday from 14:00 GMT for all the latest from the Irish Premiership. Available on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Radio Foyle, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree was disappointed that his side conceded a "soft" goal in their 1-0 defeat by Larne at Stangmore Park.

Mark Randall capitalised on the Swifts' inability to clear the ball in the box to slide in and score the only goal of the game.

And McAree was frustrated that for the second game in a row they were edged out after Joel Cooper pounced on a defensive mistake last week to help Linfield beat the Swifts.

"We've lost two games now 1-0 and we've a great group of players and we've come on leaps and bounds but the two goals we've conceded is the reason why Linfield and Larne are where they are and will be because they don't concede goals like that, he told BBC Sport NI.

"We've conceded a soft one tonight, we hold our hands up. we know we've made a mistake but if we eradicate those mistakes, we know we'll be a better side again and that's the challenge.

"If we don't make that mistake, we get something out of the game because the lads really put a shift in; they can't do too much more."

Image source, Inpho

Larne boss Gary Haveron was delighted that his side produced a "dogged" display in their 1-0 against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.

Mark Randall scored the only goal of the game for the Inver Reds and Haveron was pleased that they were able to restrict the high-flying Swifts to few chances.

"It is tough to come down to Dungannon at the best of times, they're flying and Rodney McAree has them playing good football, "Haveron explained.

"We knew we had to come down here with a game plan. be dogged and come away with three points and that's what we've done."

Haveron, who was taking charge of his first league game as manager, also praised his players for building on their historic Uefa Conference League victory against Gent on Thursday.

Larne are now 22 points behind league leaders Linfield with six games in hand as they look to win their third Gibson Cup in a row

"It was important we backed up the Gent performance and result and we managed to do that, we got the goal when we were staring to get on top," Haveron added.

"We know we need to put a run together to move up the league."

He also joked that Larne's lucky charm in their last two games have been contract extensions handed out to the subsequent goal scorers on the day of the game.

"Tomas [Cosgrove] got the goal on Thursday night and he had a contract extension the same day and then Mark tonight, so we need to get a few more boys on new contracts on the days of games it's been a good omen for us!"