Irish League Football

Image source, BBC Sport

Dungannon Swifts

Dungannon achieved a much improved league position of eighth last season after their former boss Rodney McAree took charge at the club for a second spell.

A number of players have left the club in the summer, while among the arrivals are experienced defender Dylan King and John McGovern from relegated Newry City, while former Glentoran player Gael Bigirimana has signed for the club on a permanent basis.

Another mid-table finish would represent satisfactory consolidation for the Stangmore Park club, who now have ex-Institute boss John Gregg as part of McAree's backroom team following his switch from Glentoran.

Transfers In: Bobby Jack McAleese, Dylan King, Gael Bigirimana, John McGovern, Patrick Solis Grogan.

Transfers Out: Chris Hegarty [retired], James Convie, Joe Moore, Kenny Ximenes [loan], Lewis Francis, Matthew Lusty [end of loan], Rhyss Campbell, Ryan Harpur [retired], Padraig Lynch [loan].

Joel Taggart's take: McAree has led a transformation at Stangmore Park with the Swifts moving from a relegation play off two seasons ago to being on the verge of the European play-off last season.

They took 15 points from games against the top six last season compared to just three points the previous campaign, and finished the season 17 points better off than they had done a year earlier.

That will be hard to replicate.

Opening fixtures: 10/8 - Coleraine (h); 17/8 - Linfield (a); 20/8 - Cliftonville (a); 24/8 - Dungannon Swifts (a)

Image source, BBC Sport

Glentoran

It's been a close season of great change at Glentoran as manager Declan Devine has set out to put his stamp on the club after being appointed to the position on a permanent basis after a spell in interim charge during the latter stages of the last campaign.

A tame Irish Cup semi-final defeat and a disappointing league finish, exacerbated by a timid exit to Coleraine at the semi-final stages of the European play-off semi-finals, precipitated major changes in playing personnel at the Oval.

A host of experienced players have left the east Belfast outfit as Devine seeks to rebuild a squad capable of challenging for honours and most specifically the league title. The ex-Derry City boss has also brought in former Northern Ireland international Pat McCourt as his assistant while Tim McCann returns as first team coach.

Transfers In: Andrew Mills, Charlie Lindsay, Daniel Gyollai, Dylan Connolly, Frankie Hvid, Wassim Aouachria.

Transfers Out: Aaron McCarey, Aidan Wilson, Bobby Burns, Daire O'Connor, George Feeney, Junior, Luke McCullough, Ollie Webber, Rhys Marshall, Rory Donnelly, Seanan Clucas, Shay McCartan, Sean Murray.

Joel Taggart's take: Where do you start?!

As far away from winning the league as ever despite recent financial investment. Given the massive turnover of players again this summer it’s easy to see why fans at the Oval are scratching their heads and asking serious questions about player recruitment and how the money has been spent.

Last season they dropped 45 points in games against the top seven so they need to start beating the teams around them in the table if they’re to make any significant progress.

Opening fixtures: 9/8 - Crusaders (h) - live on BBC Sport NI; 17/8 - Portadown (a); 20/8 - Coleraine (h); 23/8 - Carrick Rangers (a)

Image source, BBC Sport

Glenavon

Glenavon will hope for an improved league placing in 2024-25 after what at one stage looked a promising campaign last season ultimately petered out somewhat in the latter stages.

Summer departures have included the retired Sean Ward and experienced midfielders Robert Garrett and Conor McCloskey.

Among manager Stephen McDonnell's new recruits are much travelled strikers David McDaid and Michael O'Connor and Rhys Marshall, who begins a second stint at the club after re-joining the Lurgan Blues from Glentoran.

Transfers In: Barney McKeown, David McDaid, James Carroll, Michael O'Connor, Rhys Marshall, Keith Ward.

Transfers Out: Bobby Deane [loan], Cohan Henderson [loan], Conor Kerr, Conor McCloskey, Darren Clarke, Gavin Hodgins [end of loan], Lido Lotefa, Odhran Smyth, Robert Garrett, Sean Ward [retired].

Joel Taggart's take: A poor start and a poor finish last term with a brief positive spell mid season.

The harsh reality was that Glenavon finished in their worst league position since 2012. They lost six of their last seven league games and managed just 11 points after beating Newry City on Boxing Day until the end of the season.

Stephen McDonnell will hope to see an improvement after having a first pre-season with the players.

Opening fixtures: 10/8 - Carrick Rangers (a); 17/8 - Cliftonville (h); 20/8 - Linfield (h) - live on BBC Sport NI; 24/8 - Coleraine (a)

Image source, BBC Sport

Larne

Larne will set out to make it three Gibson Cup successes in a row as they begin the defence of the title they have won in each of the last two seasons - their first league championships in their history.

Manager Tiernan Lynch's forays into the transfer market have seen the champions acquire the services of defender Baris Altintop after his release from Braintree Town and goalkeeper Dylan Graham following his departure from Everton.

Livewire winger Conor McKendry begins a second spell at the club after making the move from Coleraine.

Transfers In: Baris Altintop, Conor McKendry, Dylan Graham.

Transfers Out: Aidan McAdams, Caolan Donnelly [loan], Daniel Kearns, Isaac Westendorf, Jaziel Orozco, Odhran McCart, Ro-Shaun Williams, Scott Allan.

Joel Taggart's take: Larne have the chance to become just the third Irish League club to win three top flight titles in a row, joining Linfield and Belfast Celtic.

However it seems they’ll have to do that without talisman Lee Bonis who appears to be on the verge of completing a switch to the Netherlands.

If and how they replace him could determine if they make it a treble of league titles. They had the best defensive stats in the league by far last season and a repeat of that will make them hard to catch.

Opening fixtures: 18/8 - Crusaders (a) - live on BBC Sport NI; 24/8 - Portadown (h); 27/8- Carrick Rangers (a); 30 August - Coleraine (a)

Image source, BBC Sport

Linfield

Linfield will again begin the season with their focus set on regaining the Irish League title which has eluded them in both of the last two seasons, the Blues having to give second best to Larne in the two most recent campaigns.

With that target in mind, manager David Healy has signed Scottish attacking midfielder Cammy Ballantyne from St Johnstone and defender Scot Whiteside from Ballymena United, while 17-year-old Charlie Chapman has signed his first professional contract with the club.

Another defender, Sam Roscoe, returns to the club for a second spell while Euan East's availability after injury will have the feel of a new signing after his lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Transfers In: Cammy Ballantyne, Charlie Chapman, Sam Roscoe, Scot Whiteside.

Transfers Out: Aodhan Doherty, Braiden Graham, Daniel Finlayson, Jordan Stewart, Matthew Clarke, Michael Newberry.

Joel Taggart's take: Linfield conceded almost twice as many league goals as Larne last season so it's no surprise to see them bringing Roscoe back.

Joel Cooper was the only Linfield player to hit double figures for league goals last season (11) so that also has to change. David Healy will also hope that Robbie McDaid and Stephen Fallon can stay injury free and make a difference this campaign.

Opening fixtures: 10/8 - Ballymena United (a); 17/8 - Dungannon Swifts (h); 20/8 - Glenavon (a) - Live on BBC Sport NI; 24/8 - Loughgall (h)

Image source, BBC Sport

Loughgall

Loughgall secured a creditable ninth position in their first season back in the leading division.

Under boss Dean Smith, who was named Manager of the Year at the NI Football Awards, the Villagers will be looking to secure their place as a top flight side once again with at least a similar finish this time out.

For now, they've managed to keep hold of Young Player of the Year Benji Magee, who scored 16 league goals in an impressive season, whilst signing experienced Irish League players in the form of Conor McDermott and Conor McCloskey, plus ex-Derry City goalkeeper Nathan Gartside from Cliftonville.

Transfers In: Conor Kerr, Conor McCloskey, Conor McDermott, Lewis Francis, Nathan Gartside.

Transfers Out: Ally Teggart [retired], Caolan Loughran, Daniel Devine, James Carroll, Mark Carson.

Joel Taggart's take: Last season Loughgall had banked 20 points by November so manager Smith will be looking for a repeat of that flying start once again.

If Benji Magee is still at Lakeview Park when the transfer window closes then their chances of survival for another season are pretty good with him and Nathaniel Ferris scoring over 30 goals between them last season.

Opening fixtures: 17/8 - Carrick Rangers (h); 20/8 - Portadown (h); 24/8 - Linfield (a); 31/8 - Dungannon Swifts (h)

Image source, BBC Sport

Portadown

Portadown have been very active in the transfer market since their elevation to the Premiership was confirmed when they were crowned Championship winners in April.

An impressive array of signings include former Glentoran players Aaron McCarey and Shay McCartan, Steven McCullough and Jamie McDonagh.

The Ports' ambition will be to re-establish themselves as a major Irish League force, although retaining their top division status will be the most immediate priority for the forthcoming season.

Transfers In: Aaron McCarey, Cathair Friel, Eamon Fyfe, Jamie McDonagh, Jamie Ray, Lewis MacKinnon, Shay McCartan, Steven McCullough, Jack Duncan, Liam Mullan, Abu Obhakhan.

Transfers Out: Aaron Hogg, Caolin Coyle, Dale Montgomery, Gareth Buchanan, Igor Rutkowski, Joe Williamson, Kenny Kane, Mark Russell, Patrick McNally, Zach Barr.

Joel Taggart's take: In the past Niall Currie has maybe let his heart rule his head after promotions and given chances to players that helped get his sides up.

But players that get you up are often not good enough to keep you up and this time he’s been pretty ruthless.

Departures and arrivals are both in double figures and Ports fans will be hoping their Premiership adventure will be much more enjoyable than last time when they had just one point after their opening 18 league games.

Opening fixtures: 11/8 - Cliftonville (a) - Live on BBC Sport NI; 17/8 - Glentoran (h); 20/8 - Loughgall (a); 24/8 - Larne (a)

Image source, Damien Toolan

The three-way battle at the top of the NIFL Women's Premiership continued as Glentoran Women, Cliftonville Ladies and Lisburn Rangers all clinched big wins.

Two goals apiece from Rachel Rogan and Demi Vance helped champions Glentoran hammer Crusaders Strikers 6-0 at Seaview, with Jenna McKearney and debutant Kelly Crompton also on target.

Carla Devine's hat-trick contributed to Cliftonville's 5-0 home win over Mid Ulster Ladies. Caitlin McGuinness and Toni-Leigh Finnegan notched the Reds' other goals.

Lisburn Rangers, meanwhile, secured a 6-1 home win over Derry City Women as all the goals came in the second half at Crewe Park.

Substitute Amy Burden scored two of Rangers' goals with Molly Loughran, Sophie Kelly-Bradley, Gracie Conway and Caoimhe Gelston Mulholland, from a penalty, also on target, before Tara O'Connor-Farren bagged a late goal for the Candystripes.

Glentoran's victory keeps them ahead of Cliftonville on goal difference but the Reds have a game in hand, having won all their nine fixtures.

Lisburn Rangers remain three points off the pace but also have played a game less than the Glens.

In Friday's other game, Stacey Murdough's 84th-minute goal earned Lisburn Ladies a 2-1 home win over Larne Women.

Abbie Burnett's 13th-minute goal put Lisburn ahead with Larne's Kirsty Cameron chipping an equaliser over keeper Jessica Poots midway through the second half.

Image source, Carrick Rangers FC

Former Crusaders winger Paul Heatley has signed for Irish Premiership club Carrick Rangers.

The 37-year-old picked up three Irish League winners' medals and was part of the Crusaders squad which won three Irish Cups during a 12-year spell with the north Belfast club which ended at the end of last season.

He made 486 appearances for the Seaview side, scoring 214 goals.

Having initially decided to retire at the end of the last campaign, Heatley returns to the club for whom he played for two years, before making the move to the Crues.

"I am delighted to come back to where it all started and hopefully see out my career here, which would be really special for me personally," said Heatley.

"The club were perseverant but respectful in their approach and they were very keen from the start for me to comer on board and return to where it all started - it's fantastic for me to be able to do that full loop."

Carrick manager Stuart King commented: "“Paul is a massive signing that I’m sure will excite everyone at the Club. We were in the market for a winger and Paul has been the best winger in the Irish League for the last ten years.

“I know a lot of clubs were chasing him after the news broke that he was reconsidering his retirement, so those from our club who worked really hard behind the scenes to make this happen deserve massive credit.

“He has trained with us already and really enjoyed it. He will add goals and excitement to our team and I know the squad will thrive off his arrival and raise their standards.”

Meanwhile Glenavon have confirmed the signing of 33-year-old midfielder Keith Ward.

Ward has spent 16 years in senior football around the League of Ireland, most recently at Shelbourne.

Image source, Coleraine FC/David Cavan

Coleraine have announced the signing of winger Kyle Spence, who had become a free agent after most recently playing for Gzira United FC in Malta.

The 27-year-old former Crystal Palace and Coventry City academy player has previously played in Spain and Germany and will now ply his trade in the Irish Premiership.

"This move has come at a brilliant time in my career and I couldn’t think of a better club to be signing for," said Spence.

"Coleraine Football Club are clearly on the up and Dean has explained to me his plans and I am very grateful to be apart of them. I just can’t wait to get out there and show the fans what I can do.”

Coleraine head coach Dean Shiels commented: "Everyone here at Coleraine is delighted to have Kyle on board.

"If you’ve seen him play you will know what he is bringing to the club and that he is very dangerous on and off the ball. He brings something different in attack and I am confident he will quickly become a fan favourite.”

The news comes a day after it was confirmed that Derry City midfielder Ciaron Harkin has joined his former club on loan until Christmas.

Harkin joined the Bannsiders in 2017 after impressing at Institute and went on to help the Showgrounds club win the Irish Cup in 2018, before leaving to return to boyhood club Derry City.

The 28-year-old's time at the Brandywell club has been severely hampered by twice rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

Shiels described Harkin as "an incredibly gifted footballer who knows what it takes to win trophies at this club and compete at a high level".

Harkin told the Coleraine FC website: "What a pleasure it is to be back at Coleraine. Some of my best footballing memories are of playing in front of the Coleraine faithful and I’m over the moon to be able to pull on the shirt once again.

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United have clinched the signing of midfielder Ben Kennedy from Crusaders on a three-year deal.

Kennedy was made available to other clubs by Crusaders after failing to sign a contract extension.

The 27-year-old spent four seasons with the north Belfast outfit, winning the Irish Cup in 2022 and in 2023 against the Sky Blues.

He played for Northern Ireland at U21, U19 and U17 level.

Announcing the signing on X, external, Ballymena said that Kennedy is "a tremendous talent in the league and his addition to the team represents a significant milestone for us. This signing is a clear indication of our ambitions."

He becomes the ninth arrival at the Showgrounds, in what has been a busy summer for Jim Ervin.

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran Women have completed the signing of Kelly Crompton from Sligo Rovers.

The 28-year old joined the Premier Division side in December last year from hometown club Sion Swifts.

She made 84 appearances for the Swifts after coming through their academy, scoring 14 goals and helping them win the Women's League Cup in 2022.

She follows striker Ellie Butler in making the move to the reigning Women's Premiership champions this month.

Butler has previously played for English sides Wolves, Coventry and Bournemouth.

Both players have been brought in to strengthen a Glentoran side that lost key duo and Northern Ireland internationals Joely Andrews and Kerry Beattie to Hearts earlier this month.

Image source, Press Eye

Ballymena United have signed former Larne midfielder John Herron on a one-year deal.

The 30-year old was previously with Gibraltar side Manchester 1962 and becomes Jim Ervin's eighth signing of the summer window.

Herron made 44 appearances for Larne during a three-year spell before his contract was "terminated by mutual agreement".

It came after images of Herron at a concert wearing a T-shirt with a pro-IRA slogan appeared on social media.

Herron was handed a 10-match suspension by the Irish Football Association (IFA) for bringing the game into disrepute, which he will now serve, ruling him out of the start of the season with Ballymena.

The Scottish midfielder began his professional football career at Celtic.

He moved to the Irish Premiership in 2018 when he joined Glentoran, before signing for Larne in 2020.

Ballymena also confirmed that striker Noah Stewart has been placed on the transfer list after rejecting the offer of a new two-year contract at the club.

The forward scored 10 goals in 32 games last season for the Sky Blues.

Coleraine have also signed goalkeeper Max Little from Dunfermline after a successful trial at the club.

Image source, Coleraine FC

Coleraine have signed Rhyss Campbell from Dungannon Swifts on a three-year deal.

The 25-year-old scored 23 goals in 138 appearances at Stangmore Park.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for me to take the next step in my career and contribute to a team with such great ambition and history," Campbell said after the move was confirmed on Thursday.

The winger spent seven seasons with the Swifts having progressed through their academy and played under new Bannsiders boss Dean Shiels.

“Having worked with Rhyss, I know the sort of player he is and one that I am delighted has signed for Coleraine," said Shiels.

"He has been one of the best players in the league and by signing him on a three year deal we feel we will get him at his peak. I know he will be a popular player with the fans."

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton felt his side performed well in their Uefa Conference League second round qualifier against FK Auda beyond the two goals conceded in the 2-1 first-leg defeat at Solitude.

The Irish Cup winners will travel to Latvia needing victory next week after Abiodun Ogunniyi and Abdulraham Taiwo netted for the visitors either side of debutant Luke Conlan's goal.

"Two poor goals that would cost you at any level," reflected Magilton.

"Regardless of the opposition you can't concede goals like that. We're very, very disappointed.

"In terms of our organisation, in terms of our structure, the team, how we set up, I thought we were excellent other than the two goals."

Despite the losses of strikers Ronan Hale, Ben Wilson and Sam Ashford over the summer, the Reds did create chances of their own with Jonny Addis drawing a save from visiting goalkeeper Krisjanis Zviedris, while Shaun Leppard's late header fell just wide.

"Courage," said Magilton when asked what his side needed in order to overturn the deficit away from home next week.

"Take the opportunities presented to us and still play with the same intensity, the same concentration, play within the shape and play with the belief to really go and get a result."

Image source, Presseye

Crusaders have confirmed that attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy has been made available to other clubs ahead of the start of the 2024-25 Irish Premiership season.

"Both parties were unable to agree on a new contract extension and mutually agree that Ben pursues new opportunities away from Crusaders FC," read a statement from the club.

The 27-year-old has spent four seasons with the north Belfast outfit after being released by Stevenage in the summer of 2020.

Kennedy scored 15 goals and contributed 13 assists in his second campaign with the Seaview side but missed the 2022-23 campaign after sustaining a knee injury against Glentoran.

He picked up Irish Cup winners' medals with the Crues in 2022 and in 2023, when he came off the bench in his side's win over Ballymena United after sitting out the rest of the season.

Kennedy played for Northern Ireland at U21, U19 and U17 level.

Image source, Inpho

Details of the first 11 Irish Premiership matches of the upcoming season that will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website have been announced.

Coverage of the 2024-25 Irish Premiership campaign kicks off on Friday, 9 August with Glentoran v Crusaders.

Irish Cup winners Cliftonville hosting Portadown and Crusaders taking on champions Larne - both Sunday fixtures - are among the early streams.

Linfield and Cliftonville's first meeting since the Irish Cup final in May will be streamed on 17 September, while the first Big Two derby of the season - Linfield v Glentoran - will be shown on 4 October.

All games listed below will be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app, with Larne v Glentoran also on BBC Two NI.

BBC Irish Premiership streams (19:45 BST kick-off unless stated)

Friday 9 August: Glentoran v Crusaders

Sunday 11 August: Cliftonville v Portadown (15:00)

Friday 16 August: Coleraine v Ballymena

Sunday 18 August: Crusaders v Larne (14:00)

Tuesday 20 August: Glenavon v Linfield

Friday 23 August: Carrick v Glentoran

Friday 30 August: Coleraine v Larne

Tuesday 17 September: Cliftonville v Linfield

Friday 20 September: Larne v Glentoran

Friday 27 September: Cliftonville v Larne

Friday 4 October: Linfield v Glentoran

Image source, Inpho

David Healy admitted that Linfield's 4-3 aggregate defeat to Stjarnan in the first qualifying round of the Uefa Conference League could impact his transfer plans ahead of the new season.

The Blues were 2-0 behind after the first-leg but took an early lead in Thursday night's return at Windsor Park through Joel Cooper's strike in the seventh minute.

Stjarnan equalised on the night just before the hour mark but goals from teenage debutant Matthew Orr and Matthew Fitzpatrick levelled the tie.

The visitors, however, would score in the 87th minute to progress.

"Financially for the football club, it's a huge dent," said Healy.

"I've been here long enough to know the importance of the financial status that European progression can give the football club.

"First and foremost, that's disappointing for me because sometimes that can, and usually does, open the door for one or two players to come in.

"I'll speak to the club and see where we're at.

"The frustrating thing is that we haven't capitalised on a good opportunity for us."