Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Portadown manager Niall Currie says he was "hugely disappointed" with both Glenavon goals in the 2-1 derby defeat on Saturday.

The visitors led at the break at Mourneview Park thanks to Ahu Obhakhan's goal, but Glenavon hit back with second-half strikes from Jack Malone and David McDaid.

"It's a tough one to take - you've got to come away with something, at least a point and I think we deserved a point," said Currie.

"I'm hugely disappointed with their goals. They were very, very preventable.

"We've a lot to learn but football's a very up and down game and we'll have our highs this season."

The defeat leaves the Ports a point behind Glenavon in 10th place.

"I think Glenavon's game management was better than ours," Currie continued.

"They were very clever and showed a lot of experience, the slightest touches [they were] going down and buying plenty of free-kicks.

"Fair play to them, we've got to maybe learn that side of the game as well. Sometimes we're a bit naive in situations."

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Glenavon boss Stephen McDonnell was delighted with his side's 2-1 comeback victory over Portadown in the Mid-Ulster derby.

Ahu Obhakhan put the Ports in front at Moureview Park and Jack Malone levelled before David McDaid netted a last-minute winner.

The dramatic win was Glenavon's first at home this season

"Better late than never and against our big rivals," said McDonnell.

"We were the far better side in the first half - their goal was a against the run of play and we shifted a few players at half-time.

"It was a fully deserved victory with two good finishes and we go home happy today."

Malone stroked into the bottom corner to make it 1-1 before McDaid fired home on the rebound for a late winner.

The win takes the Lurgan Blues up to ninth in the standings.

"We're making progress - we've gone under the radar and we're now a point off the top six.

"Jack has that ability, he's one of the best midfielders technically in the league and it was a great finish.

"That's why we took Davy to the club and he's scored two winners this week. He has pedigree, game understanding and quality."

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin praised his side's "very professional performance" in their 4-1 win against Loughgall at the Showgrounds.

Ben Kennedy opened the scoring from the penalty spot, with Kym Nelson adding a second soon after.

Jay Body pulled one back for the Villagers, before Andy Scott restored their two-goal advantage.

Joe Moore netted a fourth in the second half as the Sky Blues picked up their seventh successive league win.

"I'm delighted, we started really well, we knew we had to as we struggled on several occasions against Loughgall last season, and it was a very professional performance," Ervin said.

Whilst admitting his disappointment at the goal Ballymena conceded, the Sky Blues boss was pleased with their reaction and felt they should have scored more goals.

"We got the goal at a really good time, then we got a second. I'm disappointed with the goal we conceded, we were a bit naive, but the response after that was super and getting the third before half-time was really nice," he continued.

"Second half we were very professional, and we could have scored another few."

Despite sitting top of the Irish Premiership table for the first time in six years, Ervin says that his side are not getting carried away.

"It's fantastic to sit top of the league but it is only October, and we need to keep this winning run going as long as we can and keep getting points on the board.

"We have seen how quickly it has changed for the good, but we also know how quickly it can change for the worst."

Image source, Presseye

Glentoran defender James Singleton says his side will use Friday's 3-1 comeback win over Linfield as a "confidence booster".

Joel Cooper's goal had the Blues ahead at half-time but Jay Donnelly, Frankie Hvid and Cammy Palmer netted after the break to give the Glens the victory.

"We came in at half-time and Declan [Devine, Glentoran manager] said 'we'll just go for it now, go for it full press'. He asked me to press the centre-half and work as hard as I could.

"I think we did it really well in the second half and we were worthy winners in the end against a really good Linfield team on their own patch. We're all delighted.

"I thought we were really good in the second half, and being brutally honest I thought we could have scored another couple of goals near the end."

Glentoran host Carrick Rangers in the quarter-finals of the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday, then resume their Premiership campaign against Dungannon Swifts at the Oval on Saturday 11 October.

"It's important now that we carry it on into the next game," added Simgleton.

"There were boys in there who were disappointed to be left out of the squad. We've got a good squad and if we can keep everybody fit we will do well.

"The boys coming off the bench gave us a wee spark and a good bit of energy that was needed."

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.

Image source, Inpho

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.