Irish League Football

Image source, BBC Sport

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

I think this is going to be close. We have to factor in the Stephen Baxter factor and the bounce a new boss brings, but Coleraine have plenty of firepower and are capable of scoring goods.

Prediction: I'm expecting goals - 2-2.

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

This is such a hard one to call. Crusaders won in the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday, but I expect this to be a completely different affair. Linfield will have the Joel Cooper factor, which was sorely missing on Tuesday, but the Crues are now in a more confident place after a couple of good wins. However, it’s important that David Healy’s side get back on track and I think they will.

Prediction: 2-1 win for Linfield.

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

The seems obvious to call this one a Ballymena United win, but I don’t think it’ll be as clear cut as that. Glenavon had great 2-1 win in the mid-Ulster derby last week and they’ll be hoping to build on that. Ballymena United are on an incredible run and they’re in a great place. While that has to come to an end eventually, I don’t think it’ll end this weekend.

Prediction: Ballymena United to win 3-2.

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

Glentoran followed up their great victory against Linfield with a win in the Shield on Tuesday night. While it hasn’t always been free flowing football, the Glens have got some positive results. As for Dungannon Swifts, they have impressed me with their togetherness, both at home and away. John McGovern has been a great addition to Rodney McAree’s side.

Prediction: Too close to call so I’m going to sit on the fence – 1-1.

Portadown v Loughgall - Saturday 17:30 BST

I think this should be another great mid-Ulster Derby. I was at Lakeview Park when the sides shared four goals earlier in the season. At the minute Dean Smith’s side are struggling to replicate last season’s form. They had a good win against Annagh in midweek, but Portadown - with Ryan Mayse - will be a tough nut to crack.

Prediction: Given home advantage I’ll for a 2-1 Ports win.

Don't forget to join Harry and Eric White 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.

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Pacemaker

Glenavon striker David McDaid admits he had a "chip on his shoulder" after his move to Mourneview Park in the summer.

The 33-year-old struggled for minutes at Ballymena United and Coleraine in recent years, but is the Lurgan Blues' top scorer with four goals in all competition.

Glenavon are unbeaten in nine games in all competitions and take on Irish Premiership leaders Ballymena United at Mourneview Park on Saturday.

"It's been a breath of fresh air and I'm really enjoying being back on the pitch," said McDaid, who said the atmosphere in the changing room at club was "phenomenal".

"At times last year you would think in your head, 'I'm getting on a bit here, might I pack it in?'.

"At the same time you have that chip on your shoulder where you want to prove a point.

"That's what my aim was this year, to show I can still play at 33. I still feel like I have a bit left in me yet."

McDaid struck an injury-time winner on Saturday in the first Mid-Ulster derby of the season with Portadown.

Having played in the derby for the first time, McDaid admitted he was surprised by how fierce a rivalry it is.

"I didn't realise how big that derby was, or how important it was to both clubs and the fans.

"It was nearly like a cup final atmosphere."

Image source, Coleraine FC/David Cavan

Coleraine have revealed that a 24-year-old property developer has joined the club as its latest financial backer.

Henry Ross's support adds to the Irish Premiership club's list of investors, headed by current owners Ranald McGregor-Smith and Patrick Mitchell.

Coleraine adopted a full-time model from the start of this season as a result of the substantial investment commitment they have received.

"This partnership reflects Coleraine FC’s strategic vision of engaging local talent and community support, driving progress in all aspects of the club. Notably, Henry is now among the youngest owners of a football club worldwide," read a statement released by the club.

Henry commented: "Growing up in the local area, I’m thrilled to have the chance to contribute to the club. Even at this early stage, I’ve met incredible people and immediately connected with the values of the co-owners.

"It was a no-brainer for me. Football clubs are complex, with countless variables at play. With Coleraine’s transition to professional football, it’s a fascinating journey, full of challenges, but I love being part of it. I enjoy watching the team play, whether it’s a sold-out home game or a Tuesday night away win in Ballinamallard."

"Henry’s passion for Coleraine FC is clear, and we are thrilled to welcome him into the Coleraine family," said Simon Magee, CEO of Coleraine FC. "His involvement will be instrumental as we build on our rich heritage and pursue excellence."

Andy Gray
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho & Carrick Rangers FC

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell says he always knew his former manager Stephen Baxter would return to the Irish Premiership.

Baxter was announced as Carrick Rangers manager on Monday after the departure of Stuart King.

Baxter, 59, left Crusaders in the summer after 19 years in charge at Seaview.

"I knew after a month or two off that he would miss it dearly. It's such a big part of his life," said Caddell, who spent his entire playing career under Baxter before replacing him in the Seaview dugout.

"It's probably fine over the summer where he could get away and play some golf and relax, which was well deserved.

"But when the nitty gritty starts when the season starts, and league starts, then he'd start to miss it."

Caddell added that Irish League management is in Baxter "DNA" and he expects him to turn the club's fortunes around.

"He has so much to give the Irish League," added Caddell.

"I think Carrick is a great place for him with a good squad and good players.

"They have that ambition for the future. It's a new project for him. He's refreshed and recharged, and he's ready to go again.

"He has so much to give the Irish League and it's good to see him on board again.

"He still has that hunger and that never goes away. I expect him to have a big impact there."

Watch as strikes from Seanan Clucas, John McGovern, Joel Cooper and Jay Donnelly make up our pick of the goals from the Irish Premiership weekend.

Image source, Inpho

Darren Mullen has returned to Newry City as manager, replacing the outgoing Barry Gray who was relieved of his duties on Sunday.

Gray last season stepped away from his role as manager to focus on recovery from cancer treatment.

He left Warrenpoint to take over at Newry in January but failed to prevent them from relegation to the Championship.

Newry have endured a tough start to the season in the second tier, sitting 11th in the table having won just two of their 10 league games.

They were also knocked out of the BetMcLean Cup last week, suffering a 5-1 defeat against Premier Intermediate side Dollingstown.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Barry for all of his hard work at the club during a very difficult time on and off the pitch. Barry leaves with our best wishes," said a statement on the club's website announcing his dismissal.

Mullen initially stepped down as Newry boss after 10 years in charge in April 2023 and has not managed since.

He twice led the club to promotion to the top flight and kept them in the Irish Premiership in his final season in charge.

“This all happened very quickly but I had no hesitation in agreeing to help the club. They say you should never go back in football, but I have a huge emotional attachment to this club," Mullen told the club website.

“Results haven’t been good, but I believe the squad that’s there is a lot better than the current league position shows. As a group we will be working hard to get Newry City back where they belong.”

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Dungannon Swifts boss Rodney McAree says that his side are "riding the crest of a wave" after their 3-0 win against Larne at Inver Park.

James Knowles opened the scoring for the Swifts with John McGovern adding a fine second.

Adam Glenny's header secured the victory which moves McAree's team up to third in the table, a point behind leader Ballymena United.

"For Dungannon Swifts, we can't get too carried away, but we have to enjoy this we come to Larne on a Sunday afternoon and win 3-0," he told BBC Sport NI.

"They're a wonderful group, we are punching a bit above our weight at the minute and are riding a crest of a wave, let's hope that continues."

McAree was particularly pleased with the Swifts' display in the second half and praised McGovern for his curling strike.

"I thought first half we could have been better on the ball but when we had the opportunity in the second half to pass it, we did and out of possession we were very good," McAree continued.

"John McGovern's second goal is probably a big difference in the game it is a wonder strike, and the boys deserve big credit.

"We have played everyone in the league now and we've been competitive in all games, I think we can still improve, and we can try to but we have to enjoy this."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch said that his side's performance in their 3-0 defeat against Dungannon Swifts "was not acceptable".

Goals from James Knowles, John McGovern and Adam Glenny gave the superb Swifts a deserved win at Inver Park.

The defeat was Larne's third in the league this season, but Lynch refused to blame their involvement in the Uefa Conference League against Molde on Thursday as an excuse for their sub-par performance.

"I'm not accepting that [his side suffered from a European hangover], for what this team have delivered over the last number of months and seasons that wasn't acceptable today," he told BBC Sport NI.

Lynch admits that his side must work quickly to improve as they sit sixth in the league table, albeit with three games in hand over the sides around them.

"It's not something I want to sit and talk to the media about; we will deal with it internally go away now and reflect and we'll take the bones of this," he continued.

"We have to lick our wounds and work out where we went wrong and how we put it right."

The Larne boss is also anxious to discover the extent of Aaron Donnelly's injury, after he limped off just a few minutes after coming on as a substitute.

"Aaron has been nursing an ankle injury now for a couple of weeks, today it was the other ankle so very unfortunate for him, but it will probably take a day or two to understand where he is at.