Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Coleraine manager Dean Shiels said that his side's 3-0 defeat against Linfield was "a wake-up call".

The Bannsiders were three goals down at half-time after a strike from Joel Cooper, a Rory Brown own goal and a Kyle McClean effort.

And Shiels expressed his frustration that Coleraine were the architects of their own donwfall in front of a big crowd at the Showgrounds.

"It's really disappointing, it's a big game and we want to put on a good performance and get a good result, it just didn't go for us today," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Individual errors cost us today, we didn't handle Cooper, who was exceptional, so we have to learn and that was a wakeup call to a lot of us."

Shiels admitted that after such a bruising first period, the second half was merely about stopping Linfield scoring again.

"They [the players] were damaged and shell-shocked at half-time," Shiels continued.

"It is difficult when you're trailing, you could expose yourself to more goals, but we had to stop the bleeding and we did have some good chances, but we weren't good enough in both boxes.

"It's not good enough but it is going to happen, and it is a learning curve of how to deal with teams like Linfield."

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Linfield boss David Healy said his side produced a "strong performance" as they beat Coleraine 3-0 at the Showgrounds.

Joel Cooper opened the scoring with a fine goal before a Rory Brown own goal extended their advantage.

Kyle McClean added a third in a ruthless first half from the Blues, and Healy was delighted with their display.

"I thought we were good today, from start to finish, we did what was required to get the early breakthrough," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We had all week this week to work and look at Coleraine and the way they play.

"We got what we desired with a strong performance and clean sheet and at the end we had chances to be a bit more handsome with the result."

Healy, whose side returned to the top of the table with the win, reserved praise for captain Jamie Mulgrew, who impressed in midfield.

"Jamie epitomises everything I want in a player, and he understands what he needs to do," Healy added.

"I thought his performance along with others, was outstanding."

Image source, Presseye

Larne first team coach Gary Haveron praised how the Invermen "came out fighting and got what we deserved in the end" in Friday's 3-1 win over Cliftonville at Solitude.

The back-to-back champions trailed 1-0 at the break as a result of Rory Donnelly's goal but battled back after the interval with Tomas Cosgrove's equaliser, an Andy Ryan penalty and Paul O'Neill's goal.

"At half-time the gaffer didn't miss them. He made it clear that the first half was nothing like us, but the second half, that first 15 minutes, was exactly what he asked for - that hunger, that desire, getting forward and getting after them and we blew them away in that first 15 minutes," said Haveron.

The former Carrick Rangers and Glentoran manager found it difficult to provide an explanation for Larne's under-par showing in the first 45 minutes.

"It’s hard to put your finger on it, we have played a lot of games in a short period of time and there were big changes made from Tuesday night but we were lacklustre, they were hungrier and first to every ball and caused us problems.

"But that is why we are champions - we picked ourselves up off the canvass, came out fighting and got what we deserved in the end."

Image source, BBC Sport

This is a game I’m really looking forward too. Two good sides who like to get the ball down and pass it about and on the 4G at Solitude should make for a good game of football.

It’s two teams who are still searching for their top form at this early stage of the season. It’s a big game from the point of view that if either team can go and get the victory, the confidence that will give them moving forward in the future games.

So I’m expecting a really tight cagey affair, as these games tend to be between two of last season's top three.

I’m hoping for a good game of football, I don’t think we’ll get plenty of goals though I’m hoping for it, but it should be a good game for the neutral to tune into.

Image source, Inpho

There are some good players on show, particularly Ronan Doherty for Cliftonville.

I think he’s always worth the entrance fee and technically he’s a very very talented footballer.

On the Larne side of it, they’re littered with top quality.

I’m looking forward to seeing Matty Lusty in action after his good start to the season.

He’s had a couple of loan spells recently over the last couple of years at Dungannon and he’s really kicked on. With Lee Bonis moving on, is he going to be the man for Larne to step up and fill those big boots."

Join Thomas Kane with Colin Coates on co-commentary for Cliftonville versus Larne live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website from 19:30 BST.

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree is remaining realistic about what his side can achieve this season despite their current lofty position of fourth in the Irish Premiership table.

The Swifts are only three points behind leaders Linfield - albeit having played a game more - and will be favourites to beat bottom-placed Carrick Rangers at Stangmore Park on Saturday.

However, McAree expects to become more focused on the bottom of the table - rather than the top - as the campaign goes on.

"We’ve had a good start to the season and we probably have had more highs than lows. I don’t expect at the end of the season to have more highs than lows," says the Swifts boss.

"I expect us to be competitive and hopefully at the end of the season, we’ll have enough. Whenever you talk about league tables, I’ll know what the team at the bottom has got rather than what the team at the top has got."

McAree adds that it's inevitable his side will suffer a "blip" and that the key to the campaign will be how the players and staff respond to that.

"We’re going alright at the moment. We are playing well but it’s massively important we pick up points while we are playing well.

"We will go through a run of bad results. I’ve no doubt about that. But I believe that the people around me and the players will be able to pick themselves up whenever that happens."

McAree insists that Carrick's current position - after seven straight defeats - is not reflective of the squad Stuart King has assembled.

"I don’t expect Carrick to be in that position come the end of the season. We certainly won’t be taking Carrick lightly on Saturday."

Image source, Press Eye

Cliftonville v Larne - Friday 19:45 BST (watch live on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website)

This is a massive game for both sides. Larne started the season slowly, but victory here for will see them level on points with the Reds with two games in hand. For two teams who expect to be in the title mix, it’s a huge early-season game and Cliftonville really cannot afford to lose it.

Prediction – 2-2 (result 1-3)

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

Another big game for both sides. Linfield have had a bit of a stutter, but they got back to winning ways last weekend. It’s a massive challenge for Coleraine and one that they must stand up to.

The pressure is on the hosts having gone full-time, but they’ve often made it difficult for the Blues at the Showgrounds. Linfield will not be over-confident, but I expect them to scrape a victory.

Prediction – 1-2

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

Dungannon are flying at the minute. They’ve lost just one of their last five and they’re in the top four for the first time in a long time. It’s been a difficult season for Carrick, and it’ll be a big challenge for them, but it’s time for the more established players at the club to stand up and be counted.

Prediction – 3-1

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

Glenavon have stabilised somewhat over the past few games, winning one and drawing three.

Glentoran have lost three of their last four, but no-one seems to know what to expect from them in recent weeks.

Prediction – 2-0

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

Dean Smith’s side are having a bit of second season syndrome, losing four of their last five.

As for Crusaders, they started well and then the wheels fell off as they’ve lost their last three. That said, I think Declan Caddell’s side will get back to winning ways at Lakeview Park.

Prediction – 0-2

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

Portadown have started the season really well and are unbeaten in five. However, they’re coming up against the in-form team in the league in Ballymena, who have won their last five.

The Ports are a challenge for anyone at the moment and it’ll be another test for Ballymena but I think they’ll get over the line again.

Prediction – 2-3

Image source, Presseye

Loughgall manager Dean Smith says he was "really proud" of his players' performance in their 2-0 Irish Premiership defeat by Larne at Inver Park on Tuesday night.

Goals from Villagers' old boy Benji Magee and Andy Ryan condemned Smith's charges to a sixth league defeat of the season.

“Really proud of the players. Another game, another performance where I thought we were excellent from start to finish," Smith told BBC Sport NI.

“They gave everything, we stayed in the game and we were probably unlucky not to make it one each.

“Obviously as the game goes on we’re trying to push forward and maybe get caught out late on but I thought we were outstanding."

Despite sitting 11th in the table on five points, two above bottom side Carrick Rangers, Smith is confident his side will be safe from relegation worries if they continue their present standard of performance.

“I don’t think there will be many teams will create as many opportunities and create as many openings as what we did in the 90 minutes against Larne. So from that point of view we have to take the positives out of it.

“If we can keep those levels, we’ll be fine, no doubt about it.”

Image source, Press Eye

Larne assistant Gary Haveron believes Inver Park boss Tiernan Lynch wants to continue the job of turning the club into "something very special" despite links to the vacant position at St Johnstone.

The Scottish Premiership side have been searching for a new boss after Craig Levein was sacked five games into the campaign last week with former Northern Ireland striker Andy Kirk presently in interim charge.

Lynch has been reported to be in the frame for the permanent job at the Perth club, along with Ayr United boss Scott Brown and Aberdeen assistant Peter Leven.

The former Glentoran assistant has led Larne to back-to-back Irish Premiership titles and made history this season by making it through the qualifying rounds of the Uefa Conference League.

After watching their side beat Loughgall 2-0 at Inver Park on Tuesday evening, Haveron said of the St Johnstone links: "I can't say I'm surprised. My only surprise is that he's not linked with more clubs.

"What he has done at this football club and what he does on a daily basis is phenomenal. He's a great manager."

But former Carrick and Glens boss Haveron added that he does not think Lynch is finished with Larne "by any stretch".

"I've been lucky to work with some great managers and he's right up there at the very top," he said.

"He's relentless in his pursuit of getting this club where we are and that's had a lot to do with him.

"Yes, he's had the backing of the owner, but he's had the vision and the drive to take us to where we are now and I don't think he's finished by any stretch.

"I think he wants to continue to make this club into something very special."