Irish League Football

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Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin said that he was pleased with his side's "hard-earned" 2-0 win against Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

Goals from Peter Campbell and David McDaid helped the Lurgan Blues to their first away win under McLaughlin.

It also made it back-to-back victories as their march up the table continues under their new boss.

"To come here and get three points, I'm delighted, all our points had come at Mourneview, so it is good to get one away and get that off our backs, it is good to get back-to-back wins" he told BBC Sport NI.

"It is tough place to come, and the pitch wasn't great, but I thought our boys were excellent, they defended the box really well and when the chances came, we took them."

McLaughlin reserved praise for goalscorers McDaid and Campbell, with the latter enjoying an upturn in form since the manager arrived.

"Davy has been incredible for us in the last few weeks, so it is good to see him get his goal, he never stops working," McLaughlin explained.

"Peter is a top player, he got off to a slow enough start this season but you see now what he is all about, he is committed to the cause and if he keeps playing the way he is playing the sky is the limit."

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Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter said that his side's goalless draw with Crusaders "had a 0-0 written all over it".

Chances were at a premium in the game at Taylors Avenue but Kyle Cherry and Seanan Clucas went close in the second half for the hosts.

Baxter's side have now drawn three successive games and he was content with their performance.

"It was always going to be a difficult night with the wind and the conditions, Crusaders changed their shape because of the wind, bringing in Jordan Owens to win the high ball but we dealt with it really well," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Crusaders didn't threaten all night, I don't think there was a shot on our goal, we probably had the two better chances.

"It had a 0-0 written all over it at half-time, not one you'll want to watch back but you have to play the conditions."

Whilst pleased with the point, Baxter conceded that his side must start turning draws into wins in their quest to move up the table.

"One goal would have won the game as there was very little in it, he continued.

"Since I've come in it has been six draws, three wins and two defeats so it has been good from us.

"We have been pleased with the effort, but we need to turn some of draws into wins."

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Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said that the 0-0 draw with Carrick was a "good point" for his side given the number of players out with injury.

It was a game of few chances at Taylors Avenue and Caddell admitted that the absence of top scorer Kieran Offord with a knock was keenly felt.

"It was always going to be a game like that tonight, we had a patched-up squad, that's been the story of our season," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"We had four more players not available from Boxing Day, so it is a good point considering it was nine or 10 unavailable. we had injured players still playing so to be able to dig out a 0-0 draw is good."

Caddell believes conditions also played a factor, but that he was content that they produced a better display than their last away game there where they were beaten 3-0 by Carrick.

"It's a tough place to come, we were beaten 3-0 here last time and we wanted a response which we got," he added.

"The pitch wasn't great and there was the wind, it wasn't one for the purist it lacked that bit of quality, but work-rate and endeavour was there in abundance.

"We've got two clean sheets in a row now that is a foundation to build on and I'll be glad to get some of the injured players back."

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Monday night's Premiership programme has been reduced to four games following the tragic passing of Cliftonville defender Michael Newberry.

The 27-year-old English player, who also played for Linfield, died suddenly.

The Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts and Linfield v Larne matches have been postponed as a mark of respect.

It is fourth against third at Shamrock Park as Portadown host Glentoran.

The game will be live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

The Ports lost their Boxing Day derby at Glenavon and face a Glens side who have not lost since falling to a 2-0 reverse to Niall Currie's side on 16 November.

Elsewhere, Ballymena United will hope to strengthen their place inside the top six when they host Glenavon, Carrick Rangers welcome Crusaders to Taylors Avenue and strugglers Loughgall take on Coleraine at Lakeview Park.

Listen to the goals as they go in on BBC Sounds and Radio Ulster and follow live text updates and in-play clips on the BBC Sport website & app.

Image source, Glentoran

Glentoran have announced the signing of winger Christie Pattisson from Waterford on an 18-month contract.

Pattisson grabbed four goals and two assists for League of Ireland side Waterford last season.

Before joining Waterford, the 27-year-old played for Maidstone United, Welling United and Braintree Town.

"Having watched him closely at Waterford last season, I was impressed by his direct and dynamic style of play, his versatility on both wings and his tireless work ethic," said Glentoran manager Declan Devine.

"He's already trained with the team and demonstrated his determination to make an immediate impact."

Pattisson said the move to the Irish Premiership "immediately appealed to me".

"Once I visited the club, met the players and heard Declan's vision for Glentoran - particularly how he sees me contributing to the team - I knew this was the right move for me.

"Declan's style of play, along with the hunger, fight, and ambition I've seen from this squad, has made a strong impression on me."

Pattisson will join former Derry City duo Ciaron Coll and Shane McEleny in moving to the Oval when the transfer window opens on 1 January.

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says he was "relieved" to secure the 2-1 home win over basement side Loughgall on Boxing Day which propelled his side up to second place in the Premiership table.

Goals from Dean Curry and John McGovern had the Swifts 2-0 up at Stangmore Park, before Jay Boyd pulled a goal back for the Villagers, who pressed for an equaliser.

"Relieved that we got the three points. I thought we could have had the game dead and buried a lot sooner," McAree told BBC Sport NI after the game.

"Loughgall got back into the game and we rode our luck on a couple of occasions and missed a big chance ourselves.

"I think the players deserve great credit in terms of the fact that we played a difficult and challenging game against Larne on Monday night so it was a quick turnaround.

"They found that little bit of energy and something extra that got us over the line."

The Swifts boss praised his goalscorers for their key role in the victory.

"We created opportunities and looked a threat from set-pieces and Dean Curry gets on the end of one. He has done that for us in the past as well.

"Dean has been brilliant this last while. He has a bad knee but has been able to play through it. He's playing through the pain barrier so I'm delighted he scored.

"John has probably been unlucky this past few weeks that he hasn't scored more. He took his goal extremely well. It was a great finish from a very tight angle."

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Portadown boss Niall Currie says his team's forward play was "very, very average" in the 2-0 derby defeat by Glenavon on Boxing Day.

The visitors were 1-0 down through Peter Campbell's opener when they had keeper Aaron McCarey sent off.

Niall Quinn's excellent free-kick secured victory for the Lurgan Blues.

"It was a hugely disappointing day - I don't think we played," said Currie.

"Unfortunately offensively we were very, very average. We didn't cause a threat, we got very little going forward in the areas that we needed and have been so good for us all season."

Currie added that he had "no complaints" over McCarey's dismissal after he rushed out of the box to try to deny Michael O'Connor, who was through on goal.

Portadown started the day in second spot but the defeat sees them slip two places to fourth.

"Unfortunately when you come to games like this you can't carry players, so we ended up carrying four-five players. You will not get away with that as this level.

"I said to players in the changing room that we could've played to midnight and we wouldn't have scored.

"We got decisions wrong in the last third of the pitch - it was a really, really poor day for us."

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Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter praised his side's performance in their 0-0 draw with champions Larne in the east Antrim derby.

Cian Bolger, Matty Lusty and Andy Ryan had goals disallowed for the hosts as Carrick held on for a well-earned point.

The result moves Carrick to within two points of Glenavon and seven clear of bottom side Loughgall.

"I was extra pleased to come away with a point, I thought we were magnificent with our approach," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"We had to defend really well, and we knew there would be an onslaught second half, it was a very disciplined performance.

"I thought we deserved the point and there were a lot of excellent performances from my players."

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Coleraine boss Dean Shiels did not shed light on whether Joel Cooper will move to the club in January but said the club "have plans in place" for January.

The Linfield has signed a pre-contract agreement to join the Bannsiders at the end of the season.

But when pressed if he would be arriving in January and not the summer, Shiels remained tight-lipped.

"We're building for the future and we have plans in place for January and June and we're hoping to be in a much stronger position next year. We're working on improving the first team squad all the time," Shiels said.

The Bannsiders boss was speaking after his side came from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with rivals Ballymena United, a game he ultimately felt they should have taken all three points from.

"We were brilliant first half, created so many chances, they had two moments and scored from them which was disappointing, the scoreline had no reflection on the game," Shiels explained.

"We could have panicked and changed things, but we kept doing what we were doing and we deserved to win the game."

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Larne boss Gary Haveron said that he was "angry" that his side had three goals disallowed in their 0-0 draw with Carrick Rangers.

Cian Bolger had an early goal chalked off for a foul in the build-up before Matty Lusty saw his strike disallowed for offside.

Andy Ryan's shot from close range was also ruled out for offside and Haveron was disappointed with the performance of the officials.

"Frustrated isn't the word, it's angry, three times we have the ball in the net and not a person here can tell me why they were disallowed," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It's a mystery how we have not won this game, we have scored three perfectly good goals and it's hard to say what more the players could have done."

The draw leaves the champions 22 points behind leaders Linfield with six games in hand and Haveron knows they must put a winning run together to keep hold of the Gibson Cup.

"If there was any justice today, we would have three points, but we haven't and it's two points dropped, and we can't be affording to be dropping too many more if we want to chase Linfield down."

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Glenavon boss Paddy McLaughlin says he was pleased with his team at both ends of pitch after the 2-0 win over Portadown in the Mid-Ulster derby.

Peter Campbell put the Mourneview Park hosts ahead in the first half with Niall Quinn's superb free-kick sealing the points against a Ports side who had goalkeeper Aaron McCarey sent off.

"I thought we were really great going forward, we broke really well when we got the opportunity and defended really well in parts of the second half," said McLaughlin.

"Our back four as a block was excellent in the second half and it needed to be because Portadown threw everything at us as you would expect being one down.

"On the break our boys were excellent, created a couple of chances, scored two and maybe could have had a third."

McLaughlin also praised the Mourneview fans after a win which saw Glenavon move two points clear of the relegation zone.

"We're delighted with the overall performance but particularly for our fans at Christmas - we understand how important the Boxing Day fixture is.

"I know it's bragging rights but the three points are the most important thing and sending the fans home happy.

"It's a good day for the club. [The fans] were brilliant, they were out in their numbers, Portadown were here in their numbers as well. They made it a great atmosphere - our fans were fantastic."

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Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin said that Coleraine's second goal in their 2-2 draw was "never a penalty".

The Sky Blues led their rivals 2-0 at half-time following an Ethan Devine double, but they were pegged back by goals from Cameron Stewart and Matthew Shevlin.

Shevlin's second goal came from the penalty spot after a handball in the box and Ervin was disappointed that it was awarded.

"My view and the fourth official's view was that it wasn't a penalty but we're not the man in the middle," he told BBC Sport NI.

"If he gives that one, he has to give the second one for us, a blatant one which he doesn't give."

The Sky Blues boss was ultimately left frustrated that his side only came away with a point after leading, although they did have an inspired Sean O'Neill to thank for persevering the point.

"I'm disappointed as we were 2-0 up, first half the game plan worked a treat we knew we would be out under pressure second half, but we stopped doing what we troubled them first half," Ervin continued.

"We have to take the positives away from today, Sean O'Neill was excellent, and he deserves the credit for his performance because it was incredible. "

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Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said that his side "thoroughly deserved" their 2-0 derby victory against Cliftonville at Seaview.

Kieran Offord scored twice early in the second half as the Crues ended a run of three successive league losses.

And Caddell was pleased with his side's display in the home win.

"Great result, the last three games have been difficult, so we were looking for a response, it was nice to get out of the rut and we thoroughly deserved the win," he told BBC Sport NI.

Caddell was particularly pleased with his side's attitude in seeing out the victory as Cliftonville piled on the pressure in the second half looking for a route back into the game.

"They're a good footballing side so it was about stopping them building on that first half and then we needed to build on that going into the second half which we did," Caddell added.

"Cliftonville threw everything at us, so it was up to the players to show some character and dig in which I think they did extremely well."