Irish League Football

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."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

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."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

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."

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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."

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The Irish Premiership game between Ballymena United and Larne has been postponed after the pitch at Ballymena Showgrounds failed a Saturday morning pitch inspection.

The playing surface on Warden Street fell victim of the heavy overnight rain.

The pitch at Shamrock Park was reviewed at 11:00 GMT before the scheduled mid Ulster derby between Portadown and Glenavon at 15:00 and was deemed playable.

There was also an inspection of the pitch at Taylors Avenue at 10:30 GMT on Saturday morning ahead of Carrick Rangers' meeting with Dungannon Swifts, when the playing surface was also found to be playable, so that match goes ahead.

Saturday's other 15:00 game sees Cliftonville face Loughgall at Solitude.

The weekend's top flight action began on Friday night as Glentoran defeated Linfield 1-0 at the Oval, while Coleraine host Crusaders on Sunday at 12:30 GMT.

Image source, Inpho

Linfield manager David Healy felt his side lacked the necessary "composure" in front of goal during their 1-0 defeat to Glentoran at the Oval on Friday night.

The hosts' captain Marcus Kane had smashed in the opener just before half-time but Declan Devine's side were reduced to 10 men with more than half an hour to play when James Douglas was shown a second yellow card.

The Blues piled on the pressure but could not make the most of their dominance in the second half.

"We didn't show enough composure, enough understanding of what type of finish was needed in the final third," Healy said.

"That's the frustration. There were more than enough opportunities to at least get level.

"The players, I feel as if there's enough quality in the final third of the pitch. 

"But when it gets to moments like tonight, it's about that split-second decision - do you go hard? Low? High? Whatever type of finish was needed, we didn't get it right tonight."

Healy said his side "lacked the intensity" and gave up a "really soft goal" in the first half.

After his side's second below-par derby showing of the season - the Glens were 3-1 victors at Windsor Park last month - Healy refused to make any excuses for the result despite a number of penalty claims waved away in the second half.

"Ifs and buts. I don't want to make excuses, I won't," he said of the potential spot-kicks.

"We had enough ball and we had enough time in the final third [to equalise] and we didn't do that."

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran boss Declan Devine praised the character of his team as they held on for 1-0 win over leaders Linfield despite playing for much of the second half with 10 men.

Marcus Kane put the Oval hosts in front late in the first half before teenager James Douglas was dismissed on 58 minutes for two yellow cards.

Linfield pressed for an equaliser but the Glens held firm to earn three points and move up to third.

"It's massively pleasing - we showed great character and a great willingness to dig in," said Devine.

"A really good Linfield team threw everything at us so to keep that clean sheet was massive."

It completed a double over their Big Two rivals after the Glens won at Windsor Park last month.

Friday night's victory was also a major boost after last weekend's 2-0 home defeat by Portadown.

"I said before the game that we needed to give the fans something to shout about on the back of the disappointing result last week.

"When the players are giving everything the fans will get behind us and when the fans get behind us in difficult moments it's a very difficult place to play.

"I think it was a massive effort from the club, not just the team, to get across the line with 10 men and that was the most pleasing thing about it."

Image source, Inpho

Irish Premiership side Coleraine are at risk of having their stadium closed, although the club has said the Showgrounds will be open "as normal" for Sunday's game against Crusaders.

Causeway Coast and Glens Council is preparing to issue legal proceedings and shut down the stands and social club facilities at the club's home ground on Ballycastle Road.

In a letter seen by BBC Sport NI, the council say that the club have failed to provide a structural integrity report since June 2022, which is a requirement under the terms of their safety certificate issued by the council.

BBC Sport NI has also been told that the council has written to the club, and engaged in person, but every deadline to achieve compliance has not been met.

Without a structural appraisal the council say they cannot be satisfied the stadium is structurally safe, and are considering instigating legal proceedings.

In response Coleraine FC said in a statement that they take such matters "very seriously".

"We acknowledge the recent article published by the BBC regarding the structural appraisal involving our organisation.

"Coleraine takes matters of structural integrity and public safety very seriously. We can confirm that we remain in dialogue with Causeway Coast & Glens Council to ensure compliance with all relevant safety standards and the Showgrounds remains open as usual.

"The club looks forward to welcoming fans to The Showgrounds this Sunday as normal."

Image source, Presseye

Glentoran v Linfield (Friday, 19:45 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport NI website & app)

We know it's always a tight game between the 'Big Two'. There's never an inch given by either team really. We go out to win every game and given how difficult this is, we want to rectify the result earlier in the season [Glentoran won 3-1 when the sides met at Windsor Park in October].

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

Ballymena United v Larne (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)

There's a feelgood factor about Ballymena at the moment, and with the signing of Patrick McEleney announced, Jim Ervin will look to build on a good result from last week.

Prediction: 1-1

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

Taylors Avenue is one of the most difficult places to go in the league, and with Stephen Baxter coming in and turning them right around, Carrick seem to have found their feet. Dungannon are certainly worthy of their league place but the conditions and pitch might suit Carrick's experienced players on the day.

Prediction: 2-1

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

Jim Magilton's team have been very good at home this season, backed by Joe Gormley in free-scoring form. You've got to wonder when the tide might turn for Loughgall. This is the last place they want to be going.

Prediction: 3-0

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

Paddy McLaughlin hasn't had enough time with players on the pitch to have an overall turnaround at Glenavon. With it being a derby, just like ours on the Friday, it's very hard to call.

Prediction: 2-2

Coleraine v Crusaders (Sunday, 12:30 GMT, live text commentary and report on the BBC Sport website)

Fair to say both sides have struggled for consistency in the league. Both teams would be happy with a draw.

Prediction: 1-1

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

Image source, Inpho

Linfield manager David Healy is aiming for a more rounded performance from his side when they face Glentoran at the Oval on Friday.

In their last meeting in October, Declan Devine's side came from behind to beat the Blues 3-1 at Windsor Park.

"We let ourselves down against Glentoran at Windsor," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought we were so good and so dominant in the first half, and then disappeared out of it in the second half after the Glentoran equaliser.

"They lost against Portadown [at the weekend] so it'll be an easy one for Deccy [Devine] and their supporters to pick themselves up for."

Healy's side beat reigning champions Larne 1-0 on Saturday and currently sit top of the Irish Premiership with an eight-point lead over nearest rivals Cliftonville.

In a condensed league table though a victory for seventh-placed Glentoran on Friday would take them up to second in the table.

"We're coming off the back of our biggest result so far this season so we'll look forward to the game," Healy continued.

"When you play Glentoran - or any derby game - form goes out the window. I think it went out the window last time because we were in really good form and we underperformed.

"We know the rivalry, I know the history so it's important that the players get themselves ready this week - and we will."