Irish League Football

Image source, PACEMAKER

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton says the performance in the 2-1 comeback victory over Premiership leaders Linfield is the template for progress.

Matthew Fitzpatrick gave the Blues a first-half lead at Windsor Park before the Reds hit back with goals from Ryan Curran and teenager Ryan Corrigan.

"I'm delighted with the level of performance - they set the standard and the template moving forward," said Magilton.

"It's always a very difficult place to come to. To have to work your socks off, which we did. To have to show courage, which we did and you have to show quality, which we did.

"Ultimately there was a real determination from the players and substitutes that came on to get the result."

The win moves the north Belfast side up to fourth in the standings and five points behind the Blues.

It's back-to-back wins now for the Reds after beating Coleraine 2-1 on Tuesday night to end a five-match winless run.

"Tuesday night was an important win for us - we had periods of play when we were getting back to where we want to be be.

"Today there were more prolonged periods of real quality in our play without a cutting edge but I was delighted with the contribution of the players, they were so courageous."

Image source, Presseye

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said that he had mixed emotions after watching his side draw 1-1 with Glenavon in an eventful Irish Premiership encounter at Mourneview Park.

The visitors had goalkeeper Ross Glendinning sent-off in first-half stoppage time after he handled the ball outside the area.

Substitute keeper Ben McCauley saved Niall Quinn's penalty 15 minutes from time and then David Cushley's spot-kick in the 89th minute looked to have given Carrick three points.

David McDaid headed home in stoppage time to salvage a point for the Lurgan Blues however.

"In many ways you’re disappointed because when you get a goal in the 89th minute you’ve really got to see the game out and take all three," said Baxter.

"But in the balance of the game a draw is a very good result for us because we were up against it for such a long period of time.

"To go down to 10 men and see that through when Glenavon were coming at us in waves of attacks. We always had that little bit going forward as well."

“If you had offered me a point at half-time I would have been pleased with it and we’ll be very satisfied that we have come away with something."

Baxter had special praise for keeper McCauley.

“Young Ben came on and his first big moment was having to make a penalty save and what a brilliant save it was.

"If we had conceded at that moment it would have been more difficult but we held in there, waited for our moment, got it and we could have nicked it in the end.

“Credit to Glenavon though, they came up the pitch and got a goal.”

Image source, Pacemaker

Portadown forward Ahu Obhakhan says the physical part of his game has improved since he began playing in Irish Premiership following his summer move.

The former Drogheda and Institute player has scored four league goals to date to help the Ports win four and draw three of their top flight matches since being promoted as Championship winners.

"The physical part of my game probably wasn't the strongest part of my game until I came up here," said the 27-year-old.

"Some games it's a fight up there so it's just being in the right mindset to hold up the ball, take some hits and then sometimes leave a little something back as well.

"I'd say the best part of my game is linking up the play, bringing wingers into the game so if I can dominate the centre-backs I can start to do that. To get to that point you have to be physical."

Obhakhan says he is "enjoying every moment" of his time with the Shamrock Park club.

"As a striker when you're scoring goals you can't help but enjoy it.

"Niall [Currie, Portadown manager] played a big part in me joining Portadown.

"He expressed a lot of trust in me, believing I was a player who could lead the line for him and I've tried my best to repay that faith."

Portadown host Larne in their next Irish Premiership fixture on Sunday.

Image source, BBC Sport

Coleraine v Glentoran (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

The Glens are in a good place right now and have improved a lot in recent weeks while Dean Shiels' side are still in a bit of a transition.

I think it’ll be a tight one but the visitors will just nick it.

Prediction: 2-1 Glentoran

Crusaders v Ballymena United (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

Ballymena have been strong this season and Jim Ervin has them well organised and hard to break down. Crusaders have pulled together a couple good results so this will be a tight game at Seaview.

Prediction: 1-1

Dungannon Swifts v Loughgall (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

Rodney McAree's side are in a really good place, playing with a load of confidence and with a few smashing young players.

It's hard to see how Loughgall can get something out of this one.

Prediction: 2-1 Dungannon

Glenavon v Carrick Rangers (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

We've got two teams who are both in decent form right now.

Stephen Baxter has given Carrick a lift since coming in and Glenavon have steadied the ship in recent weeks.

Another close one for me!

Prediction: 2-2

Linfield v Cliftonville (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

Going to Windsor is always difficult. Cliftonville will want to get kicking on after beating Coleraine on Tuesday, but it's hard to see past David Healy's side in this one.

Prediction: 2-1 Linfield

Portadown v Larne (Sunday, 14:00 BST)

We welcome the champions with optimism and excitement. They’ve just come off the back of a tough European game and if we’re right we can give them a competitive match.

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

Don't forget to join Portadown manager Niall Currie with Michael McNamee on this weekend's Sportsound programme on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website from 14:00 BST on Saturday.

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI correspondent

Thousands of football fans from Larne and Dublin have started arriving in Belfast for this evening's Europa Conference League match at Windsor Park.

In total, more than 5,000 supporters of Larne FC and Shamrock Rovers are expected in the city for the all-island encounter.

The game brings together the reigning Irish Premiership champions and the defending League of Ireland Premier Division champions.

Among the fans to arrive in Belfast at lunchtime from Dublin were Shamrock Rovers fans Tiernan Stynes, Cian Hassett and Josh Ward.

Cian said: “We’re just here to watch the football and enjoy ourselves. I’m confident of a 2-1 win.”

His friend Josh said: “We’re here to take the three points for a win and then enjoy the journey back down the road from Belfast to Dublin.”

There is heavier traffic than usual in Belfast due to the game, particularly around the Donegall Road and Boucher Road areas.

Police warned motorists in advance that there could be disruption and delays, especially in the area around Boucher Road.

The match is being played in Belfast as Larne’s stadium, Inver Park, is not big enough to host Uefa Conference League matches.

Rovers fans have been arriving in Belfast since early morning by bus, train and car, plus coaches hired by supporters’ clubs.

Kick-off at Windsor Park is 17:45 BST.