Irish League Football

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Coleraine forward Jamie McGonigle said he was relieved to score his first goal of the season against Loughgall in the Bannsiders' 2-0 victory at the Showgrounds.

The striker has endured a frustrating start to the season due to various injuries, but emphatically finished from the penalty spot to open the scoring for Coleraine on Saturday.

Matthew Shevlin added a late second to seal a welcome return to winning ways for the hosts, and McGonigle was happy to contribute to the victory.

"It’s something I’m not used to [being injured] especially when it’s niggles, they’re more annoying but that was nice when Harky [Ciaron Harkin] won the penalty I was always putting my name forward and thankfully I converted it," he told BBC Sport NI.

McGonigle knew he had to hit his penalty with power and precision, having previously practiced spot kicks with Loughgall goalkeeper Nathan Gartside when both were together at Derry City.

"I played with Nathan Gartside before at Derry and I practiced penalties with him every day for six months," McGonigle explained.

"He is a really good penalty stopper and I had to smash it to have any chance of beating him. That’s me off the mark now and hopefully that’s the start."

Next up for Coleraine is a home game against leaders Linfield, a fixture which McGonigle is looking forward to.

"When Linfield come down here it’s always a big game. The league table sums up how tight it is and how anyone can beat anyone it’s so competitive, so we need to be at our best next week to beat Linfield."

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Cliftonville defender Jonny Addis admits that his side fell way below par in their 3-2 defeat against Ballymena United on Saturday.

Addis cancelled out Ben Kennedy's opener with a header before goals from Kym Nelson and Ethan Devine gave the Sky Blues their fifth consecutive league win.

Despite Joe Gormley scoring a late penalty to set up a tense finale, Addis acknowledged that Ballymena were worthy winners.

"I thought we weren’t anywhere near our best and we need to do a bit of soul searching ahead of next week to put things right," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I don’t think we can have any complaints we didn’t win the game, I think Ballymena were deserved winners."

Addis was particularly disappointed that the goals from Nelson and Devine both came from free-kicks.

"Two set pieces hurts even more that kills you and you can’t legislate for that so as players we need to hold our hands up and do better.

"Start of the second half we were hoping to start better, but the second goal changes things and the third kills it so at the end you’re just throwing bodies forward trying to get something."

The Reds will now host Larne at Solitude on Friday and Addis knows they must raise their game for the visit of the champions.

"I probably couldn’t ask for a better game, you have to respond otherwise you’re going to get a hiding from Larne," he added.

"They’ve been the best team in the league the last two years, and it might be good because we have a point to prove."

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Ballymena United defender Kym Nelson said he was "ecstatic" after their 3-2 victory against Cliftonville extended their recent winning streak.

Ben Kennedy opened the scoring for the Sky Blues from the spot before former defender Jonny Addis equalised for Cliftonville.

Nelson netted the second goal against his former club, with Ethan Devine adding a third as Joe Gormley pulled a goal back with a penalty.

The Sky Blues have now won five league games in a row and Nelson expressed his relief that they got over the line after a nervy finish to the game.

"It was a rollercoaster of a game near the end we made it hard for ourselves seeing it out but the run we’re on at the minute it’s just great to get three points again," Nelson told BBC Sport NI.

"It’s a very happy dressing room and it’s well deserved the way we train, we demand more of each other you can see it on the pitch we are reaping the rewards of it."

Nelson was also pleased to contribute with a goal after missing a number of opportunities in recent games.

"I knew the last few weeks I’ve been getting on the end of few and out there I just connected well with one so it’s great to win and chip in with a goal too."

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Portadown forward Ryan Mayse believes that his side "deserved the win" in their 3-0 victory against Crusaders on Saturday.

Mayse opened the scoring for the Ports with a composed finish in the first half, before Ahu Obhakhan and Lewis MacKinnon added further goals in the second half.

The win means Niall Currie's side have now gone six games unbeaten in the league, and Mayse was full of praise for their display in north Belfast.

"The first 10 or 15 minutes we weathered the storm, then we got ourselves together, we started to play and pass, and we caused them problems," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Fortunately, I got in and got the goal that gives us a wee kick start, we had something to hang on to then and going into the second half we knew they were going to throw the kitchen sink at us and they did but we caught them on the counter.

"No one will begrudge us the result, we deserved the win."

Mayse, who has now scored five goals in the Irish Premiership this season, was also pleased Portadown could show a more controlled side to their game when going in front after their late comebacks in recent weeks.

"Last year in the Championship when we went 1-0 down, we struggled to beat teams, it’s been different this year and now we have shown when we go ahead, we can hold onto leads and we’re good going forward, so hopefully we can continue it."

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Loughgall manager Dean Smith says he "can't praise the players enough" despite Saturday's 2-0 defeat away to Coleraine.

Jamie McGonigle scored a penalty late in the first half after Ciaron Harkin was brought down in the area.

Matthew Shevlin netted a second late in the match for the Bannsiders as Loughgall pushed forward to try and force an equaliser at the Showgrounds.

"We're not too concerned about the goal at the end, you could see we were pushing forward," said Smith.

"I thought we were outstanding today. We limited Coleraine to very little and we were disappointed to give the penalty away.

"I can't praise the players enough."

The result leaves Loughgall 11th in the table but Smith believes it is only a matter of time before performances translate into results.

"We're just disappointed because we put so much into it not to get something from it. We deserved something from the game if you look at it as a whole.

"At the minute we're having nothing but bad luck. We also understand if we get performances like that then that will change."

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Coleraine manager Dean Shiels says he was pleased to end a "long, tough week" with a 2-0 win over Loughgall.

Jamie McGonigle and Matthew Shevlin scored goals at the end of each half to secure three points.

"We take the positives after a long, tough week with seven points out of nine," Shiels said after Coleraine moved up to fifth place in the table.

"I thought we were superb in the first half. I think we thoroughly deserved to go in at half-time 1-0 up.

"In the second half it became a little bit of a grind. At times you have to give the opposition credit, and I thought Loughgall turned the screw in terms of getting in our faces quicker and stopping us playing."

After throwing away a two-goal lead in Tuesday's draw with Portadown, Shiels admitted he was "happy to see it out" after Shevlin scored a late second.

"We didn't give Loughgall give any chances on goal and that was a collective.

"There are no easy games. Loughgall are a tough teams to beat and they will take points off top teams this year.

"We had to win ugly, but some of our football was really good at times.

"We showed character and togetherness."

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Glenavon manager Stephen McDonnell says a red card shown to Dungannon Swifts' Bobby-Jack McAleese was the "correct decision".

McAleese was shown a red card in the 68th minute for a tackle on Niall Owens while the Swifts were 1-0 up through Adam Glenny.

Glenavon responded through Barney McKeown's strike at Mourneview Park.

"I think the referee got it right," McDonnell said.

"A couple of years ago it would have been an acceptable tackle but in modern football you can't complain.

"He got the ball, but he had to come through the player in a scissor motion and that would be deemed a red card in modern football."

McDonnell said Glenavon were disappointed not to go on and win the match but he was pleased with his side, who move up to ninth in the table.

"We created the better chances in the first half but didn't capitalise," he added.

"The first half was very flat from both teams. We've reacted at half-time, we changed shape and personnel and I felt it worked.

"We're disappointed not to go on and win the game but the character the group have shown sine the 2-2 draw with Loughgall, it can't be questioned."

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree was pleased with how his players responded to Bobby-Jack McAleese's red card in Saturday's 1-1 draw away to Glenavon.

Adam Glenny had given the Swifts a first-half lead before substitute McAleese was dismissed with 22 minutes to play for a tackle on Niall Owens.

Barney McKeown equalised for Glenavon but Dungannon held on for a point.

"At the time, I thought Bobby had maybe followed through, or continued through," McAree said.

"But when I've watched it back, I don't think he has. I think it's just a firm challenge. He won the ball and I don't think his leg goes through afterwards.

"It happens, you have to get on with it and find a way of adapting to it and getting a result."

The draw continues Dungannon's strong start to the season and the Stangmore Park side are fourth in the Irish Premiership table.

"I thought we started the game quite well and were the better team until we scored," McAree added.

"After that I thought we took our foot off it a little bit. We stopped passing the ball and Glenavon came into it.

"The red card puts you on the back foot. At that stage it is about getting out of here with something.

"I've to give the lads huge credit. They've stood up for each other and ground out a good point."

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Niall Currie says that he is "over the moon" for his players after their impressive 3-0 away victory against Crusaders.

Goals from Ryan Mayse, Ahu Obhakhan and Lewis MacKinnon sealed the win for the Ports at Seaview.

They are now unbeaten in their last six games since their agonising late defeat against Glentoran last month, and Currie was delighted with their display in north Belfast.

"I thought we were magnificent today, for periods we managed the game really well, we had that constant break away attack," he explained.

"I was really pleased with our possession, we kept the ball well and we stretched them big time, great movement in our front three and everyone had a good day today, we were really on it.

"From that Glentoran game we have shown resilience and a wee bit of quality. I'm over the moon for the players and there is a long way to go so we aren't getting carried away, but we can be competitive in this league, and we showed that today."

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Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said that the performance from his side in their 3-0 defeat against Portadown "wasn't good enough".

Ryan Mayse opened the scoring for the Ports with a cool finish before Ahu Obhakhan and Lewis MacKinnon completed the scoring for the impressive away side.

It is now three defeats on the bounce for the Crues after their positive start to the season and Caddell admits they will look within to find solutions.

"I have praised the players for how they have played the last couple of weeks, but today we looked leggy, we looked tired and a wee bit off it," he told BBC Sport NI.

"That is something we have to look at as a coaching staff, maybe we are working them too hard in training because we weren't at it today.

"We started well, conceded a goal and after half-time we didn't get into the game and Portadown were deserved winners."

Caddell was disappointed that the Crues were unable to muster a response to Mayse's first half goal.

"We didn't look like ourselves, half an hour in we were dead on our feet. We didn't recover from the first goal, didn't recover from the second and never looked like getting back into the game," Caddell explained.

"Portadown got three goals, but it could have been more, so for us, we need to dust ourselves down and go again."

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Carrick Rangers boss Stuart King praised the "outstanding" display from his side despite their agonising 1-0 defeat against Linfield at Windsor Park.

The visitors frustrated Linfield for most of the game before Kirk Millar scored a stunning 97th minute free-kick to give the Blues all three points.

Carrick have now suffered seven successive league defeats, but King was keen to take the positives after a heartbreaking late defeat.

"I thought my lads were superb, it's another kick when we didn't need one, it was another tough one to take," King told BBC Sport NI.

"We limited them to very little and a bit of magic in the 97th minute wins it. For 96 out of 97 minutes I thought my lads were outstanding and for us to concede at the end was devastating."

King, who was critical of his side after their 4-1 home defeat against Ballymena United on Tuesday, has challenged his players to deliver similar performances in future games as they look to turn their fortunes around.

"I thought the game plan worked a treat and they gave me absolutely everything," he continued.

"I can be down and disappointed or I can be really positive and if they give me that every week there will be no problems."

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Linfield boss David Healy admitted that whilst he was underwhelmed with his side's performance, he was delighted they "found a way to win" against Carrick Rangers.

Kirk Millar scored a 97th minute winner with a curling free-kick as the Blues got back to winning ways at Windsor Park.

"We were frustrated for large parts, there were a lot of stoppages and slowing down the play, which I had no issues with, Stuart wanted his team to come and be competitive and they were," said Healy.

"Eventually we found the way with a little bit of quality from Kirk Millar, probably the only bit of quality on show today.

"Disappointing performance but pleased we found a way to win."

Healy was keen to reserve praise for Millar, who once again produced a moment of magic when it mattered.

"This free-kick was a little further out and Kirk has that quality and ability to do that [score].

"You're always thinking is it too late, but Kirk found a way and he has done over nine years, he is selfless, works his socks off. Give me a Kirk Millar any day of the week, he doesn't let the doubters affect him," continued Healy.

"We knew Carrick would empty the tank, but we didn't do enough in the early part of the game to break them down and we found it difficult to deal, with so we will need to improve and be better."

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton admitted that his side "didn't do enough to win the game" as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

Jonny Addis cancelled out Ben Kennedy's early penalty for the hosts, before two headers from set pieces from Kym Nelson and Ethan Devine gave the Sky Blues a comfortable advantage.

Joe Gormley pulled a goal back for the Reds from the penalty spot, but Magilton expressed his disappointment with his side's performance.

"The scoreline flattered us, we didn't do enough to win the game and Ballymena deserved to win," he said.

"We didn't make the goalkeeper make enough saves, the quality in the final third was really poor and it was a really lethargic display.

"We set standards, and the players fell well below those today, I do not want a repeat."

A rare positive on a tough day for Cliftonville was that Rory Hale managed 30 minutes from the bench as he continues to build up fitness on his return from an ankle injury sustained in the Charity Shield against Larne.

"He is an important player for us, he is a catalyst for a lot of good things that we do, and he had an outstanding season for us last year," Magilton added.

"It is going to take a little bit more time to get him back up to speed but we are delighted to have him back."

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Jim Ervin expressed his relief that his side were able to continue their winning run with a 3-2 victory against Cliftonville at the Showgrounds.

Ben Kennedy gave the Sky Blues the lead from the penalty spot before Jonny Addis equalised for the Reds.

Two headers from Kym Nelson and Ethan Devine gave Ballymena a comfortable cushion, but a late penalty from Joe Gormley provided a nervy end to the game for the hosts.

"We don't half know how to make it difficult for ourselves. At 3-1 you're hoping to see the game out and be professional, but they got the penalty, and it was a nerve-racking five minutes of injury time," Ervin told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought the boys stood up and they were excellent and saw the game through and we're delighted with another three points."

The victory was Ballymena's fifth in a row in the league and Ervin was delighted that two of the goals came from set-pieces, with Nelson and Devine getting on the end of free-kick and corner deliveries from Josh Carson.

"We're not the biggest team in the league but we are probably disappointed we don't score more from set plays, but it is something we have worked on and we have encouraged the boys to get goals from set pieces," Ervine explained.

"It is brilliant to get three goals at home again, I thought the supporters were outstanding, turned out in big numbers again and I'm delighted we give them something to cheer."

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Larne manager Tiernan Lynch says the margin of victory for his side could have been more in Friday's 2-0 win over Glentoran at Inver Park.

Andy Ryan fired home a penalty in first-half stoppage time, with Matty Lusty drilling a low shot into the net soon after the interval.

“If I’m going to be hyper-critical of them [his team], the one thing they didn’t do was score more goals. Great credit to the Glens for that, they dug in right until the end," Lynch told BBC Sport NI after the game.

“There were good opportunities there that we probably should have taken but two goals, three points, clean sheet, we move on. We’re delighted with three clean sheets in a row now."

The match sparked into life somewhat in the second half after an uneventful first period in which Lusty made his mark.

“It was a lucklustre first half. Half-time we probably knew we hadn’t really done enough and second half I thought it was a much better performance, a more comprehensive performance.

“Matty did really well for his goal, showed great strength and great pace and great determination to make sure he got in there before Paddy. He finished really well, delighted for him."