Irish League Football

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.

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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."

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Marty McCann and Colin Coates have joined Glenavon as part of new manager Paddy McLaughlin's backroom team.

The former Cliftonville manager was appointed Lurgan Blues manager on Sunday after the departure of Stephen McDonnell 24 hours earlier.

Both appointments have previous working history with McLaughlin from his time at Solitude with McCann working as a first-team coach in north Belfast and Coates part of the playing squad.

All three were at Stangmore Park on Tuesday as McLaughlin took charge for the first time in Glenavon's 2-1 defeat to Dungannon Swifts in the Mid Ulster Cup semi-finals.

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Linfield manager David Healy says his club is "rebuilding the siege mentality" they previously had as they attempt to wrench the league title from the hands of Larne, who have been crowned champions for the past two seasons.

A Joel Cooper goal gave the Blues a rare win over their rivals on their home patch at Inver Park and put more daylight between themselves and the chasing pack at the summit of the table.

The 1-0 victory gives Linfield an eight-point cushion over their nearest pursuers and opens up a 14-point gap over Tiernan Lynch's side.

"We’re still in the process of trying to build a siege mentality. We had that a number of years ago when we were winning title after title and you sort of have that in and around the dressing room," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

“You can’t build that overnight but the process is underway."

Healy said "hard work" was the key to his team's success on Saturday evening.

"It’s a really tough place to come so to leave here with a win and three points is pleasing.

"Credit to the players, to a man I thought they went about their work very well.

"I could go through one to 11 individually and praise the roles that they all played and the collective outcome."

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Glenavon have parted company with manager Stephen McDonnell after their 2-0 defeat to Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Premiership on Saturday.

The Lurgan Blues have only won three league games this season and were beaten by Championship side Armagh City in the BetMcLean Cup earlier this month.

They are currently 11th in the Irish Premiership table, only four points from bottom place.

"Glenavon FC have tonight parted company with manager Stephen McDonnell," the club stated.

"The club wishes to place on record its thanks to Stephen for his efforts."

McDonnell, who previously managed Warrenpoint, was appointed in September 2023, replacing Gary Hamilton who had been in the post for 12 years.

In his first season in charge, he led the club to safety as they finished in 10th place.

But after a run of seven games without a win in all competitions, his time at Mourneview Park has come to an end.

Image source, Presseye

Portadown manager Niall Currie praised his side's "brilliant" performance in a 2-0 victory over Glentoran at the Oval.

The Ports moved above their opponents into sixth spot in the Premiership table after a late Shay McCartan penalty, followed by Ryan Mayse's goal deep into stoppage time, saw them overcome Declan Devine's team.

The mid-Ulster outfit were unable to convert a number of first-half chances and also hit the post.

"I thought we were brilliant today. I thought first half we were top drawer. We were really disappointed we didn’t come in at half-time ahead. We could have been a couple in front easily," Currie told BBC Sport NI.

"At half-time we were frustrated but we kept doing the same things and applied ourselves in the same ways.

"It’s a long time since I came to the Oval and had a team perform like that. We were sensational. Our midfield today was outstanding."

The visitors expected a better performance from the Glens in the second half but managed to come out on top in the end.

"Half-time I knew they would get a rocket from Deccie [Glentoran manager Declan Devine so we thought first 20 minutes of the second half would be about digging in, staying compact.

"We know we have the ability to hit teams on the counter – we’ve got great pace in the team, great quality in the final third too.

“It’s a really good day for the club. If we’re right we’re a very competitive team in this league."