Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Loughgall manager Dean Smith said that he has "plenty to worry about" due to their injury crisis.

Smith is currently without seven first team players ahead of their game against Glentoran.

And the Villagers boss believes that the injury list has only served to compound what has been a difficult season for the team that prop up the table.

"We are down to the bare bones. I thought for four or five weeks we had turned a corner, our performances were much better, but with the injury list I think anyone would struggle," he said.

"It is just seeing who is available, who we can put out there and if we can get a performance."

Smith believes the injuries have been most keenly felt defensively, with his side having conceded a league high of 46 goals.

"We haven't had the same back four for two games this season through injuries and suspension, so it has been really difficult, because defensively we have been poor with goals we have conceded," Smith added.

"The sooner we get players back the better."

Loughgall welcome Glentoran to Lakeview Park on Saturday and Smith hopes that his side can capitalise on the Glens' own patchy form.

The Villagers are four points behind fellow strugglers Glenavon ahead of a tough set of fixtures, but Smith is confident they can continue to fight.

"Glentoran have been very inconsistent this season, so we have to try and take advantage of it," Smith continued.

"We know that it is difficult, and it is going to be hard, but we believe we can get out of it."

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Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin said that his side must give Carrick Rangers "the respect they deserve" after their upturn in form under Stephen Baxter.

Carrick have lost just two of Baxter's seven games in charge thus far and Ervin believes they are a different side to the team beaten 4-1 by the Sky Blues in September.

"We will look at the positives from that game but the Carrick team since Stephen has come in will be a different challenge completely," he said.

"They have had some really good results and positive performances, so we need to give them the respect they deserve and we need to make sure we're on it."

Ballymena have had what Ervin described as an "indifferent" start to the season. They lost their opening four games before winning eight in a row to surge up the table.

They then suffered four successive defeats but beat Cliftonville 1-0 at Solitude in their last league encounter a fortnight ago, with last weekend's game against Larne called off because of a waterlogged pitch.

And Ervin is pleased with the progress made by his side and is determined that they continue their positive momentum generated by the win against the Reds.

"We did everything we could to get the game on last week but with the weather unfortunately we weren't able to do that," Ervin added.

"It was disappointing because when you win games of football you just want the next one to come along but we've had a good week of training.

"We're one point of our total points tally of last year, so we've made great strides, but we're not getting carried away."

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena United v Carrick Rangers (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Jim Ervin has had a good couple months at the start of this season and being at home, they'll favour a win at the Showgrounds. Carrick always make it difficult, and [Stephen] Baxter has certainly steadied the ship. They've started to collect points in games that earlier in the season would've passed them by. I still fancy Ballymena to take the points.

Prediction: 2-1

Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Dungannon have been great this year, they play good football and score goals and should give a good account of themselves. I just can't see them going and getting the result. Seaview is a difficult place to win and it should be a physical one!

Prediction: 2-2

Glenavon v Coleraine (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

It's no secret Glenavon are struggling for form. It'd be interesting to see if Paddy McLaughlin can get his style of play going. I think as long as they collect points, they'll be happy.

Predictions: 1-1

Linfield v Portadown (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

To go to Windsor and win is hard, and I think the Ports will struggle. Against the bottom six, Linfield never seem to drop points.

Prediction 3-1

Loughgall v Glentoran (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Dean Smith's team have found it hard in their second season in the Premiership. Glentoran should be coming into this one bouncing, especially off the back of a win in the 'Big Two' last weekend.

Prediction: 0-2

Larne v Cliftonville (Sunday, 14:00 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport NI website & app)

We're going into the game feeling good, a couple points off top spot. These big games are make or break for any title challenge. A new manager in Nathan Rooney throws in a curveball, but we need to be at our best and perform in front of the BBC cameras!

Prediction: N/A (We'll let him off this one!)

Join Conor with Michael McNamee on Sportsound this Saturday from 14:00 GMT on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.

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James Singleton has penned a two-and-a-half-year contract extension, which will keep him at Glentoran until 2027.

The versatile 29-year-old, who can play in defence and midfield, had made 74 appearances for Declan Devine's side since arriving from Glenavon in July 2022.

"I’m delighted to commit my future to Glentoran - this club means a lot to me, and I’m proud to be part of what we’re building here," Singleton told the club website.

"Declan and the coaching staff have brought a new level of professionalism to the club, and the entire squad has bought into it. Even though results have been a mixed bag so far, I’m confident we’re moving in the right direction."

Singleton has scored four goals for the Glens and has captained the side during his two years at the club.

"Singo is an outstanding professional and his never-say-die attitude, leadership qualities, and versatility make him an invaluable part of our squad," said Oval boss Devine.

"He wears his heart on his sleeve every time he steps onto the pitch, and his dedication to the badge is second to none. That’s the type of character we want at this club and what the fans love to see.

"Beyond his leadership qualities, James is a top-class footballer. His ability to read the game, his combative tackling, and his range of passing is first class. Whether in defence or midfield, his contribution makes an impact on every game."

Banbridge Rangers manager Jeff Brady says the realisation that his club will face Irish Cup holders Cliftonville in the fifth round of this season's competition "will probably take a couple of days to sink in".

Mid Ulster Intermediate A side Rangers are taking part in the fifth round for the first time, having beaten Queen's University in the previous round.

"To be a team like Banbridge Rangers to get here for the first time and to be drawn out against Cliftonville is a big deal," Brady told BBC Sport NI.

"I’ll tell the players to go out and play with freedom, there’s no pressure on us.

"We’ve done the hard work so as long as they go out and enjoy themselves and give a good account of themselves I’ll be happy."

Brady added that he hoped everyone involved with the club would enjoy the day as a reward for their endeavours.

"Days like this are for everybody, the whole club, not just the players and myself and the coaching staff.

"The club has been going for 20 years and for some of those 20 years it has been the same people behind the scenes driving it so that will be for them.

"It’s a home-based club, full of families, full of people who put in those hard hours every week that people don’t see. It will be a big day for those people certainly."

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton is looking forward to beginning the defence of the cup.

"We got a home draw, that’s all you can really wish for, against a team that deserves so much credit for getting there.

“They’ll be more than welcome [to Solitude] but we’ve got to go and win it.

“We won’t underestimate them, we’ll give them our due care and attention, as we do every opponent, and be really focused. It’s a massive day in the calendar and we’re looking forward to it."

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville will begin their Irish Cup defence with a fifth-round tie against Mid Ulster Intermediate A side Banbridge Rangers at Solitude in January.

The Reds beat Linfield in last season's final to lift the trophy for the first time since 1979, while Rangers are set to appear in the fifth round for the first time. having beaten Queen's University in the previous round.

While there are no all-Premiership encounters, the draw produced two derbies with Annagh United hosting Mid Ulster neighbours Portadown and H&W Welders entertaining east Belfast rivals Glentoran.

New Larne manager Nathan Rooney will take his side to Limavady United with Linfield hosting Wellington Rec and Coleraine at home to Armagh City.

Ards, who stunned Crusaders in last year's fifth round, will travel to Ballymena United while the Crues will face the winners of the fourth-round match between Knockbreda and Banbridge Town.

Stephen Baxter, who won four Irish Cups as Crues boss, will manage Carrick for the first time in the competition at home to Newry City.

High-flying Championship leaders Bangor host Newington, Institute take on Loughgall while Belfast Celtic host Moyola Park and Glenavon are at home to Dundela.

Islandmagee or Ballymacash Rangers - who face each other in the fourth round this weekend - will host Ballinamallard United.

The ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend of 3-4 January.

Irish Cup fifth round draw

Annagh Utd v Portadown

Bangor v Newington

Carrick Rangers v Newry City

Linfield v Wellington Rec

Dollingstown v Ballyclare Comrades

Coleraine v Armagh City

Limavady Utd v Larne

Dungannon Swifts v Rathfriland Rangers

Knockbreda/Banbridge Town v Crusaders

Institute v Loughgall

Islandmagee/Ballymacash v Ballinamallard

Ballymena Utd v Ards

Cliftonville v Banbridge Rangers

Belfast Celtic v Moyola Park

Glenavon v Dundela

H&W Welders v Glentoran

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Coleraine boss Dean Shiels said that the goals his side gave away in their 2-1 loss against Crusaders were "unacceptable".

Jordan Stewart opened the scoring with a looping header from a corner before Kieran Offord capitalised on a defensive mix-up to score a second.

Matthew Shevlin pulled a goal back before Kyle McClelland was sent off and Shiels was frustrated with the individual mistakes made.

"We are disappointed as to how the game unfolded particularly in the first half, it was just unacceptable the goals we gave away," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I can say the same about the red card it was preventable and it’s extremely frustrating we put a lot of detail into what we do in training, but you can’t control individual mistakes."

Shiels was pleased with the response from Coleraine in the second half but recognised that the mistakes left them with too much of a mountain to climb.

He hopes the game will act as a steep learning curve for his young side.

"Taking those [mistakes] out of the game, once we went down to 10 men, I thought we were creating chances and showed togetherness to try get back in the game," Shiels continued.

"The goalkeeper and the centre backs are 21 and you find with young players you get inconsistencies, and you have to preserved with them and help them improve, but we need to learn fast as it’s costing us points."

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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell said his side "gave everything" as they held on to beat Coleraine 2-1 at the Showgrounds.

First half goals from Jordan Stewart and Kieran Offord secured the hard-fought victory for the Crues, despite Matthew Shevlin pulling a goal back in the second half.

And Caddell was delighted with his side's response to last weekend's 3-0 defeat against Carrick Rangers.

"It’s a tough place to come, Coleraine have the best home form in the league so it was always going to be difficult," he told BBC Sport NI.

"The last few times we have played them it could have gone either way but to come up here and put in that performance was great especially after the last couple of games which have been disappointing."

Caddell was pleased with their ruthless streak in the first half and also praised their ability to see out the game.

"The players gave everything so I’m happy. We wanted to get on the front foot in the first half and we certainly did that," he added.

"We went in 2-0 and it could have been more. Second half we knew Coleraine would throw everything at us which they did, and they caused us problems.

"The players dug in and worked hard for each other and a couple of good saves by Johnny Tuffey, it was a bit nervy, but I thought we deserved it."

Image source, Presseye

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says he thought his side was the better team and was unfortunate to lose 1-0 to Dungannon Swifts at Taylors Avenue on Saturday.

James Knowles netted a late winner for the visitors.

"I thought we played really well. I thought we were the team that was on the front foot for most of the day," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"We played the better football, we got into their box time in number and were the team applying all the pressure.

"To concede a goal against the run of play was very difficult. It was a very soft goal and a very disappointing goal to concede from our point of view."

Carrick lie 10th in the Premiership table, level on points with 11th-placed Glenavon, and four ahead of bottom club Loughgall.

"The level of performance since I came in has been nothing short of excellent and the workrate today was exactly the same.

"I've nothing but praise for what these guys are giving. You get a day when the break of the ball goes against you and you lose the game," added the former Crusaders boss.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Loughgall boss Dean Smith said he cannot be "too critical" of his injury-hit side after their 4-0 defeat against Cliftonville.

Smith's side were undone by a Joe Gormley hat-trick and a goal from Rory Hale, which condemned the Villagers to their third consecutive league defeat.

But Smith believes a number of injuries was a mitigating factor to the heavy nature of the defeat.

"It was a really difficult afternoon, but it is very hard to be critical of the players given the number of bodies we had out, we had eight first teamers missing so to put in a performance the way we did, I can’t be too critical," he told BBC Sport NI.

Smith admits that his side were undone by a devastating 13-minute spell in the second half where Cliftonville scored three goals, like they did in 12 minutes at Lakeview Park in their 5-0 win earlier in the season.

"We were 1-0 down at half-time, but we were well in the game, and I thought we could have nicked something, but those 13 minutes killed us and that’s the story of our season," he added.

"They did it in 12 minutes at our place in a similar thing, but the attitude and character I can’t fault."

Image source, Presseye

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree praised the battling qualities of his side after watching them overcome Carrick Rangers 1-0 at Taylors Avenue on Saturday.

James Knowles scored a late winner in a match which rarely rose above the mediocre in quality but saw plenty of endeavour from both teams.

"We knew it wasn’t going to be pretty, the overnight rain didn’t help, although the pitch was in tremendous condition so fair play to Carrick," McAree told BBC Sport NI.

"We knew it was going to be a battle and we had to fight for everything that we got and keep it tight at the back to give ourselves a chance.

"I thought there was always going to be one goal that decided it."

The Stangmore Park club has reacted to a three-game losing run by securing successive wins over Glenavon and Carrick without conceding a goal.

"It was important we got out of that rut of three defeats in a row and now we’ve kept two clean sheets and clean sheets win games.

"This season we haven’t conceded as many goals and that’s given us the chance to earn more points – we haven’t scored as many but as long as we’re not conceding we’re giving ourselves an opportunity to stay as close to the top for as long as we can."

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton praised his side's attitude in their 4-0 victory against Loughgall at Solitude.

Joe Gormley scored a 17th Cliftonville hat-trick with Rory Hale adding a late fourth to help the Reds get back to winning ways.

And Magilton was delighted with the response from his side following last weekend's frustrating 1-0 home defeat against Ballymena United.

"Really good day at the office bouncing back from last week’s disappointment," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We talk about standards, and we slipped below them last week, so I was delighted with how we approached the game, our attitude was spot on from the first whistle, we were pretty dominant."

Magilton singled out Gormley, who he is running out of superlatives to describe after another clinical display.

"Joe Gormley simply doesn’t disappoint, some of his finishes were fantastic, so it was a great win for us," Magilton added.

The Reds boss was pleased to give Odhran Casey his first minutes in a Cliftonville shirt since going off injured in the Irish Cup final in May.

Magilton also handed 15-year-old Coran Madden his debut, which he marked with an assist for Hale's goal.

"We're delighted with Casey, he has had to work so hard [to come back] from a pretty horrific injury, so we’re happy to get him minutes.

"Coran is a wonderful player, great talent and destined to be a footballer and we thought it was a great opportunity to bring him on."

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New Glenavon boss Paddy McLaughlin says there is "a lot of hard work to be done" after their 1-0 derby defeat against Portadown.

Ahu Obhakhan's early goal was enough for the victory for the Ports and it is now seven top flight games without a win for the Lurgan Blues.

But McLaughlin was encouraged by what he saw in his first league game in charge at Shamrock Park.

"Disappointing result but it’s a very good performance for large periods, we controlled the game and we came up short in the final third," he told BBC Sport NI.

"That is something to work on but there are good signs there."

The former Cliftonville boss admitted that it was a "frantic week" at the club following his appointment last Saturday as he replaced Stephen McDonnell at the helm.

And he believes that he can turn things around at Mourneview Park after their difficult start to the campaign.

"I’m glad to be back it was a long time out travelling around and just watching games so it’s good to be back," he added.

"That’s all the niceties out of the way, now we’re into work and there’s a lot of hard work to be done and we’re looking forward to getting stuck in.

"The signs are very good, if we can keep improving week by week, we can pick up points."

Image source, Presseye

Portadown manager Niall Currie praised the character shown by his team after they defeated Glenavon 1-0 in Saturday's Irish Premiership derby at Shamrock Park.

Ahu Obhakhan scored what turned out to be the winning goal after six minutes of a fiercely contested game between the mid Ulster rivals.

“I thought we didn’t get off to the best of starts. I thought we were a wee bit sluggish out of the gates but the goal calmed us down," Currie told BBC Sport NI.

“It was an evenly matched game. I thought both sides showed great endeavour.

“We were a wee bit off it today, we weren’t at our very best, but what we had in abundance was character and we had strong guys who went into the trenches for us today.

“We had loads of desire and enthusiasm but we could have done with a bit more quality to our play."

Currie was pleased with the performance of goalkeeper Aaron McCarey, who helped repel the threat of the Lurgan Blues with some fine saves.

“Aaron McCarey is the best in the league in my opinion. Whenever you need to dig in and you need big saves he’s the guy for it.

"He’s a wonderful leader in the changing room as well and a real character."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Coleraine manager Dean Shiels says his side's top marksman Matthew Shevlin is one of the players who is "flourishing" in the full-time environment that the club has established for the first time this season.

The former Linfield and Ballymena United frontman again finds himself in the upper echelons of the Irish Premiership goalscoring charts with 12 league goals so far this term, his latest contribution a double in the Bannsiders' 4-0 win over Loughgall in his side's last outing.

Shiels' side lie seventh in the Premiership on the back of three wins from their last four league outings.

"There’s no doubt he’s one of the best forwards in the league," enthused Shiels of his in-form prolific striker.

"He is a threat constantly and we’re very lucky to have him. The hardest part of football is putting the ball in the net and he’s certainly doing that at the moment.

"He’s a nightmare to play against for opponents. We slightly adjusted certain elements of how we attacked in recent games to try and put the ball in the box earlier and he’s thriving off that."

'A pleasure to work with and coach'

The Coleraine boss lauds Shevlin's approach to the game in both matches and training.

"He’s a pleasure to work with and coach. We’re always doing extra in regards to his finishing and his decision-making in the final third.

"We do individual analysis with him about his hold-up play – he’s one that has really flourished in relation to turning full-time.

"He had a very good career and job but his appetite to become a professional footballer was huge. You can see that in the way he plays, he’s infectious, he’s a massive team player."

Shiels hopes his side can continue their upward trajectory of results as they approach the busy Christmas season.

"I think there’s been a shift in performances, a shift in mentality and then a shift in results. I think we’ve got a bit of momentum and we want to kick on now.

“Confidence is high and the league is so congested that if you can put a run together you can really benefit from that."

'Using hurt as motivation'

The Ballycastle Road club face Crusaders in their next top flight encounter on Sunday and are keen to avenge 2-1 defeats away to Declan Caddell's charges in the league in October and the last 16 of the BetMcLean Cup in November.

"The two performances against Crusaders were very good but we got nothing from them and that’s something we want to correct," emphasised Shiels.

"Seaview is a difficult to place to go to but hopefully at home it will be a different story and we can play on the front foot and try and get one over on them this time.

"We have to use that hurt that we had of Crusaders beating us twice as motivation to put it right on Sunday."