Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin has been named as the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Manager of the month for September.

The Sky Blues won all six of their matches during the month, five of those victories in the Irish Premiership, plus a County Antrim Shield first-round success over Ballymacash Rangers.

In terms of their league campaign, United began the month with a headline-grabbing 1-0 win over back-to-back champions Larne at Inver Park and followed that up with a home triumph over Glentoran by the same scoreline.

The Braidmen then saw off Carrick Rangers 4-1 at Taylors Avenue, defeated Cliftonville 3-2 at the Showgrounds and edged out Portadown 1-0 at Shamrock Park.

That extended their winning sequence in the top flight to six games and elevated them to second spot in the Premiership table.

This just a matter of months after Ervin's team beat Institute 2-1 on aggregate in a play-off to preserve their status in the top division in his first season in charge.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Linfield manager David Healy described his side's second-half performance in Friday night's derby defeat to Glentoran as "rubbish", adding he "can't accept" how his side appeared to lack fighting spirit.

The hosts at Windsor Park had been markedly the better side in the first 45 minutes and should have led by more than the one-goal advantage they held through Joel Cooper's 8th minute strike.

But the second half was akin to a different game with Glentoran finding the net three times to secure a first Windsor Park win for two years.

"First half we were good, second half we were rubbish," Healy said.

"We can't accept that. We can't accept that level of performance.

"We were outworked and outfought and that's the disappointing thing."

If not for the performance of Glentoran goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai, Linfield could have had the three points wrapped up by the interval but Healy stressed he had warned the game was not won.

"Coming in at half-time, you're not thinking the game is safe, we always knew there was going to be a reaction. Glentoran got the reaction, we didn't.

"The second-half performance was a shock because we were so on top in the first half. This one leaves a sour taste because it's a derby game, we underperformed in the second half.

"We looked as if we lacked a real fighting spirit which is disappointing from a manager's point of view."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Glentoran boss Declan Devine believes Friday night's 3-1 victory over Linfield sets the "standard" for his side moving forward.

By far the best result since the former Derry City and Bohemians manager replaced Warren Feeney at the Oval last season, the derby victory at Windsor Park saw Glentoran make light of indifferent recent form and a poor first-half after which they deservedly trailed to Joel Cooper's opening strike.

They were a different side after the break with goals from Jay Donnelly, Frankie Hvid and Cameron Palmer securing a first away win over the Blues since October 2022.

"We showed them too much respect in the first-half," Devine said.

"We sat off them too much, invited pressure to come on us. We needed our goalkeeper to play well to keep us in the game.

"We needed a big performance in that second half and thankfully we were able to get it.

"It's a really strong performance but we won't get carried away. That's the standard set."

There was some dissent in the stands following last weekend's dour 0-0 home draw with Glenavon but Devine was delighted to be able to send the visiting fans home happy this time around.

"I've said it since I came in, we need unity, we need the players and fans to have that togetherness," he added.

"The fans stayed with us even when we were a goal down and I think we've rewarded them. They certainly enjoyed that.

"It's about when we're playing well, the fans staying with us, whenever we're playing poorly, the fans staying with us, and they've done that.

"When everyone is pulling in the one direction, it's an amazing football club."

Andrew Waterworth
Former Glentoran & Linfield striker

Image source, BBC Sport

For me at the minute, it's really clear going by Declan Devine's words that he feels Glentoran are in a rebuilding job. There's been a massive turnover of players.

It'll be very tough for them going to Windsor and scoring goals. Glentoran don't often go in as underdogs but I know from my time there, it takes the pressure off when you're going to Windsor compared to hosting the Blues at the Oval.

It's a cliché, but in these games form goes out the window.

The Glens will be looking to use it as a springboard to start their season and the Blues will be looking to be staying on top of the league by the end of the night but also having the bragging rights in south Belfast.

Any time I watch the Glens this year, Dylan Connolly, has been their outlet. He's very quick, very good on the counter, which they rely on quite a lot.

The form of David Fisher will prove critical. When he's on his game, on form and fit, he's one of the best forwards in the league, but what David Fisher turns up?

I've watched a lot of Linfield this year and there's times when [Joel] Cooper and [Kirk] Millar have been unplayable, not just their goals but their assists and all round play.

For Linfield, they seem to be the players that are taking on a lot of responsibility.

Join Michael Clarke with former Linfield and Glentoran striker Andy Waterworth on co-commentary for Linfield versus Glentoran live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website from 19:30 BST.

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Linfield v Glentoran - Friday 19:45 BST (Live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)

It all depends on who Linfield have available for this one tonight. If David Healy's side are missing some key players, then it could be tighter than everyone is expecting.

Prediction: 1-1

Ballymena United v Loughall - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Jim Ervin has Ballymena in a good place, they are on good run of form and I think that will continue this weekend.

Prediction: 3-1

Carrick Rangers v Cliftonville - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Cliftonville are a good side and I think they’ll prove to be a little too strong for Carrick on Saturday.

Predcition: 1-2

Crusaders v Coleraine - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

I think this will be an exciting game between two good sides. I'm expecting some goals but the honours to be shared.

Prediction: 2-2

Portadown v Glenavon - Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

This one will be a strong and feisty affair. A proper derby.

Prediction: 1-1

Larne v Dungannon Swifts - Sunday 14:00 BST (live text commentary with in-game clips on BBC Sport website & app)

All I can say on this one is that I'm hoping for a positive result!

Prediction: n/a

(We'll let Rodney off this one seeing as he's the Dungannon Swifts manager!)

Don't forget to join Rodney with Joel Taggart on Sportsound this week from 14:00 BST on Saturday for all the latest from the Irish Premiership. Available on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website.

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Holders Linfield have been drawn against their Belfast big two rivals Glentoran in the second round of BetMcLean Cup.

The Blues opened their defence of the competition by beating Dundela 2-0 on Tuesday night as the Glens saw off Dergview by the same scoreline.

Queen's University's reward for the surprise 1-0 win over Premiership strugglers Carrick Rangers is a home tie against Annagh United.

Carrick's defeat proved to be Stuart King's final match in charge as he parted company with the club after the game.

The only all-Premiership tie will be Crusaders' meeting with Coleraine while Cliftonville have been drawn away against Bangor.

2017-18 winners Dungannon Swifts will be at home to Dollingstown with Armagh City's reward for their 3-2 win over Premiership Loughgall another derby clash against Glenavon, where the Championship side will have home advantage.

Because of the club's Uefa Conference League campaign, Larne paraded an understrength team in Tuesday's 2-1 win over H&W Welders and the Inver Park club will face Institute in round two.

The other tie will see Ballymena United welcoming Ards.

Ties will take place on 5 and 6 November.

BetMcLean Cup Second Round

Crusaders v Coleraine

Linfield v Glentoran

Dungannon Swifts v Dollingstown

Bangor v Cliftonville

Ballymena United v Ards

Armagh City v Glenavon

Queen's University v Annagh United

Institute v Larne