Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

After Linfield's 2-0 win over Glenavon at Windsor Park on Saturday, BBC Sport NI got the views of both managers.

A double from Joel Cooper, with the second coming from the penalty spot, secured the win which moves the Blues closer to lifting the Gibson Cup.

Linfield boss David Healy on the win:

"We're nearly there [winning the league], it was a tough game today. I didn't get it right in terms of selection and shape, we changed it at half-time and second half we got better, and we were comfortable winners."

On the prospect of winning the league on Tuesday if Glentoran lose against Larne:

"I'm not going to give you the answer that managers give you that we don't know where we are in the table, we know our main rivals are playing on Tuesday, of course I'll be keeping a close eye on it, and we'll see what happens after that and on Saturday."

Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin on the defeat:

"I'm bitterly disappointed, some of the football we were playing in the first half was incredible, we created numerous opportunities but just our final pass, if we got that right, we could have scored one or two.

"An individual error for the first goal and comical circumstances for the second, no one inside the ground knows what's going on, it's amateur league refereeing and that kills the game, you don't come back when Linfield go 2-0 up at home."

Image source, Carrick Rangers

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says defender Cameron Stewart should make a full recovery after suffering a brain aneurysm earlier this week.

The club confirmed in a statement on Friday that the 28-year-old had "successful surgery" this week and is recovering in hospital.

"I spoke with him yesterday and he's in good form," Baxter told BBC Sport NI after his side's goalless draw with Glentoran.

"It's always a real shock when you hear of a young man getting a bleed on the brain, and having to operate to sort all of that out. Thankfully the surgeons were able to do all of that.

"They have said that he's a very healthy young man and will make a full recovery from all this so we're confident - providing there are no more haemorrhages - that things will be okay."

"We're confident he will be but they're monitoring him now very closely for the next seven days I believe before he'll be released and let's hope that he will be absolutely fine."

Stewart joined Carrick from Glentoran in 2022 after spells with Linfield, Ards and Glenavon.

Image source, BBC Sport

Women's Premiership champions Cliftonville will begin the defence of their league title against Linfield at Solitude on Friday 9 May.

Glentoran, who finished second last season, start their league campaign with an away trip to the Bluebell Stadium to face Lisburn Ladies.

Lisburn Rangers kick off their second season in the top-flight with a home game against Larne at Crewe Park, whilst Crusaders will take on Derry City at Seaview.

This year sees the introduction of a new format in the Women's Premiership, as the eight teams will play each other home and away over 14 rounds of fixtures before the league splits into two sections for three more games.

The Reds, who completed an 'invincible' league campaign last year as well as winning the League Cup and Irish Cup will face Glentoran at home on 23 May and away at the Blanchflower Stadium on 25 July.

Ahead of the return of the Women's Premiership, the newly introduced group stage of the League Cup begins on 11 April.

Each Women's Premiership team will play three group games, with the winners of the two groups earning their place in the final.

Holders Cliftonville have been drawn in Group A alongside Derry City, Linfield and Lisburn Ladies.

Group B consists of last season's finalists Lisburn Rangers alongside Glentoran, Crusaders and Larne.

Women's Premiership opening fixtures

All games on Friday 9 May with a 19:45 BST kick-off unless stated otherwise.

Cliftonville v Linfield - Solitude

Crusaders v Derry City (20:00 BST) - Seaview

Lisburn Ladies v Glentoran - Bluebell Stadium

Lisburn Rangers v Larne - Crewe Park

Find the full fixture list here, external.

Image source, Inpho

Dungannon Swifts boss Rodney McAree said that he was "over the moon" with their 2-0 victory against Cliftonville at Solitude.

After the Reds dominated the first half, second half goals from James Knowles and John McGovern helped the Swifts get back to winning ways in the league.

And McAree was delighted with his side's second half display to take home the three points that could prove vital in their quest to secure a top six place.

"I'm over the moon, we got off to a poor start, Cliftonville were outstanding first half and we struggled to get to grips with their shape and movement," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We were more compact in the second half, and we used the ball better. We get a free-kick on the edge of the box and Knowles scored and then it's a great delivery from Leo Alves and John McGovern rises to glance it in.

"We didn't show any nerves, and we restricted Cliftonville to very little and kept a clean sheet."

The Swifts boss praised goalkeeper Alex Henderson, who was making his first start of the season after Declan Dunne's red card at the weekend.

"Alex hasn't played any football really, he is a very capable goalkeeper, and he made three one-on-one saves in the first half, his handling was good, and he grew in confidence, and we're delighted for him."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Glenavon assistant manager Colin Coates said that he was pleased with how his side played for the "majority" of their 3-3 draw with Glentoran.

Goals from Michael O'Connor and Harry Lynch had the Lurgan Blues 2-0 ahead at the interval at the Oval, before Glentoran fought back to lead 3-2.

Paul McGovern netted an equaliser for the away side and Coates admitted he was relieved they salvaged a point.

"We're disappointed to throw away the lead, but with the way the game transpired it was good to get away with the point," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a topsy-turvy game, and I was pleased with how we played for the majority of the game."

Coates praised his side's first half display as well as their resilience to rescue a draw in the second half that Glentoran dominated.

"First half was as good as we have played, we moved the ball really well and we went 2-0 up and could have scored another," Coates continued.

"Second half, we knew Glentoran would come out and lift the tempo, we probably gave them a soft first goal which gave them more of a lift and then we were on the backfoot and were wobbling.

"Then they got level and ahead and we were thinking we could go four or five down but fair play to the players they dug in and we got the goal and looked like we could have gone on and won it."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Glentoran assistant manager Tim McCann said that his side have "mixed emotions" after their entertaining 3-3 draw against Glenavon.

The Lurgan Blues raced into a 2-0 lead at the break at the Oval, before Glentoran fought back, with half-time substitute Jordan Jenkins scoring twice after Joe Thomson had pulled a goal back.

And whilst pleased with the character shown to fight back to lead, McCann was disappointed they couldn't hold on for victory.

"Where do you start? It's mixed emotions that we went ahead and couldn't get the win, the game management needs to be better, and we need to switch on," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a great game, Glenavon were fantastic, they came here with a gameplan and played us off the pitch in the first half.

"It was the old football adage a game of two halves, they won the first half, and we won the second."

McCann was critical of the Glens' first half display but praised Jenkins for his contribution after his introduction.

"The first half performance was totally unacceptable, and the players have been told that in no uncertain terms," he added.

"We didn't turn up, there was no aggression and no fight. We spoke to them at half-time and you probably saw the real Glentoran in the second half, we scored three quick goals and unfortunately, we couldn't finish it off.

"JJ comes on and does what he does best, he pulled us through, and it was great to get him on at half-time with the energy he had."

Image source, Presseye

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin bemoaned a "dip in performance levels" by his players as they went down 2-1 at home to Larne in the Irish Premiership.

Jordan McMullan's early goal had the Sky Blues ahead but Tiarnan O'Connor and Paul O'Neill struck to ensure all three points went back to east Antrim.

"I thought the performance levels that we've had over the past number of weeks just weren't there and we gave away two soft goals," lamented the Ballymena boss.

"We fell short but the effort, endeavour and commitment the boys showed me was incredible.

"Jordan followed up from his goal on Saturday which was pleasing but you've got to keep going to the next level because when you're playing Larne you have to make sure that you're on your game. Unfortunately tonight we weren't. I'm extremely disappointed with the result."

Next up for United is the visit of League Cup winners Cliftonville to the Showgrounds.

"We now have to pick ourselves up with another huge game at home on Saturday against Cliftonville and we have to try and get back to winning ways," added Ervin.

Image source, Presseye

Larne manager Gary Haveron has praised the contributions of Tiarnan O'Connor and Paul O'Neill, who scored the goals which sealed a 2-1 comeback win for their side against Ballymena United in Tuesday's Irish Premiership game at the Showgrounds.

Jordan McMullan had given the Sky Blues the lead, before the visiting strikers found the net to secure a valuable three points for Haveron's men in their challenge to clinch the runner-up spot which would guarantee qualification for European football.

"When you take the step up the spotlight is on you and can you cope with it and he's answered it with goals," said Haveron of O'Connor, who joined the league champions from Championship outfit Harland and Wolff Welders in January.

"He's adding to his all-round game as well, He's realising how physical a league it is too, he has picked up a knock and had to come off at half-time."

Former Glentoran and Cliftonville forward O'Neill is also back in goalscoring form.

"You never ever question Paul O'Neill's heart and desire. The lad has got it in spades, he's a great character.

"He's really popular around the training ground and he's been so upbeat even at times when he was struggling with injury. It's been a long frustrating season for him.

"It's great to have him back and among the goals because it's reward for all the work you do behind the scenes."

The Larne boss praised his side's spirit and togetherness which he believes helped them get over the line against the Braidmen.

"We really tried to get the ball down and move it and I thought we did that really well tonight and especially in the first half played some lovely football. I'm delighted to get the three points as coming here is never easy.

"They're a great group of lads. They've taken some knocks this year, criticism by people, but they're playing two games every week relentlessly and they don't shirk it.

"It shows you how tight and galvanised they are as a group, the way they came out fighting. I'm absolutely delighted for them, really proud of them."

Watch highlights as Larne come from behind to beat Ballymena United 2-1 in the Irish premiership at the Showgrounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Linfield have announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Alex Rodriguez until the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 31-year-old came through Sunderland's academy and played for Wellington Pheonix in the A-League, Boavista in Portugal and Romanian side Spesi OSK.

From there he moved on to Motherwell in Scotland and had spells at Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers, but has been without a club since July.

Rodriguez said he was "excited" to join Linfield and "be part of such a historic and ambitious club".

"I can't wait to get started and contribute to the team's success on and off the pitch for the last seven games," he told the club's website.

Manager Healy said Rodruigez was a "fantastic addition" to Linfield's squad.

"His experience, leadership, and quality in midfield will be a huge asset for us as we push on this season.

"He has been training with us over the past few weeks and has already begun to settle into the squad. I am thrilled to welcome him to the club for the rest of this season and next."

Linfield are close to winning their first Irish Premiership title in three years and hold a 19-point advantage of Glentoran in second, who have two games in hand over the runaway leaders.

Image source, Press Eye

Niall Curneen has left his role as chief executive of Irish Premiership champions Larne to take up a new role outside of the club.

Curneen joined the club in 2018 as a youth development officer and became the club's general manager a year later.

He transitioned into the role as CEO as Larne won back-to-back Irish Premiership titles and created history with their run in the Uefa Conference League during his tenure.

Larne owner Kenny Bruce described Curneen as an "outstanding steward" of the club.

"As people grow in life, success naturally brings new opportunities, and while we are sad to see Niall step away from his day-to-day role, we are absolutely delighted to see him take on an exciting new challenge, one where we know he will thrive," he told the club's website.

"Niall's stamp is firmly imprinted on the club's journey so far and I have no doubt his influence will continue to be seen in many of our future achievements."

Curreen will remain on the executive board at the club and says he was in a "privileged position" as the club's CEO.

"I've been supported by tremendous staff and an army of volunteers from across our club, from our board to our fans, our stewards to our matchday volunteers. I'm so grateful for the support that they have given me," he said.

"I will stay active and support people the same way in which I have been supported throughout, and I feel I still have the energy and the passion to continue to have a positive influence on the club, just from a slightly different angle."