Irish League Football

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Northern Ireland U-17 international Chris Atherton has signed his first professional contract with Chelsea.

The 17-year-old made headlines in 2022 when he became the youngest senior footballer in the United Kingdom aged 13 years and 329 days.

He came on as a second-half substitute in Irish Premiership side Glenavon's 6-0 win over Dollingstown in the League Cup.

Atherton was courted by Premier League clubs after his breakthrough in Northern Ireland before signing for Chelsea's academy in July, where he has been a regular in the side's U18 and U17 teams.

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A "disappointed" Linfield manager David Healy felt his team "lost control of the game" in Tuesday's 2-2 draw away to Coleraine.

The Blues were two goals to the good at half-time, but failed to push home their advantage in the second half as the Bannsiders fought back to claim a share of the spoils.

Healy felt the loss of Kirk Millar to injury early in the second half was was a contributing factor, but still felt his side ought to have had enough to see it out.

"We're disappointed we didn't find a momentum in the second half," the Linfield manager told BBC Sport NI.

"We gave away too many cheap balls and again, part of that was probably down to we lost Kirk Millar early in the second half. We lost a little bit of experience, a bit of know-how.

"I thought our first half performance was very good. They changed their shape (but) we spoke to the players at half-time as we knew when you're the home team and you're down 2-0 it's easy to have a go and we knew that they would come us a little bit more which they did, so there's a tinge of disappointment that we haven't found a way to win the game."

Sam Roscoe scored Linfield's second and had an opportunity for another before the break, but fired over when Coleraine goalkeeper Aidan Harris spilled a cross.

"We don't normally talk about missed opportunities but we talk about big moments in the dressing room and that was a big moment and an opportunity," Healy lamented.

"We knew that they were gonna come at us and we didn't manage to see it through.

"Some people may think it feels like a defeat but I look at it as glass half full and try and move on very quickly."

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins hailed his side's "resilience" as they battled back from two down at half-time to salvage a 2-2 draw at home to Linfield on Tuesday.

First half goals from Matthew Fitzpatrick and Sam Roscoe put the Blues in an advantageous position at the break, but Coleraine battled back as Matthew Shevlin netted his 100th goal for the club before Charles Dunne struck with eight minutes to go.

The Bannsiders' boss said he "felt we deserved to possibly win the game in the end" but was happy with his team's fighting qualities to secure the draw.

"The fact that we were 2-0 down at half-time and came back to 2-2, hopefully we've sent people home reasonably pleased," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"We were a wee bit timid in the first half in terms of defending long balls and defending set plays, timid defending long throw-ins.

"They physically dominated us for periods in the first half but we showed real resilience and great reaction. I actually felt we deserved to possibly win the game in the end.

"We've been better than what we were tonight, there's no doubt about that, but we showed a certain amount of resilience that you need, especially against teams like Linfield, in the second half. We take our point and we move on."

Higgins admitted that he "possibly got it wrong in relation to how we went about it in the first half", but switches at the break helped turn things around.

He also paid tribute to the "outstanding" Shevlin whose goal helped spark the league leaders to life and reach a personal milestone.

"We had to make changes, we had to get leadership on the pitch and I thought Kodi and Lyndon came in and showed that. Lewis McGregor I thought carried a real attacking threat and we got ourselves a point," he added.

"I love Shevy's attitude, how he goes about it. He's brilliant in the dressing room. He's been a fantastic signing for this club for a number of years now.

"One hundred goals is a brilliant achievement and there'll be many more to come I'm sure."

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Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins said his side's rearranged home fixture against Linfield on Tuesday night is a "mouth-watering game".

The Bannsiders top the table and are nine points ahead of the reigning champions, who have three games in hand.

Tuesday's game at the Showgrounds will be first meeting of the season between two teams aiming to challenge for the Gibson Cup as it was rearranged from August due to Linfield's European commitments.

Higgins insisted the pressure is firmly on Linfield to win as they look to retain the title this season.

"It's a mouth-watering game, it is a great game to look forward to and we'll be ready for it," he told BBC Sport NI.

"It's very early, they had a good win Saturday and they're still the favourites to win the league and all the pressure will be on them to retain the title.

"We are at the start of a journey, but we will go there and try win the game."

Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin netted his 99th goal for the club in Saturday's 2-0 win over 10-man Portadown, their third successive league win.

That was his sixth league goal in this campaign and the forward is hoping to bring up a century for the Bannsiders against the Blues on Tuesday.

"It would be a nice time to get it [100th goal] but I'm just looking for us to keep up the momentum and get the three points again," he explained.

"If it comes it comes but if it doesn't, I'm not too worried. There are goals all over our team.

"Maybe in the last few seasons there's not been anyone else helping me out but it's good there's someone else contributing every week, Coops [Joel Cooper] is doing a good job."

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Linfield boss David Healy said his side's game against Coleraine on Tuesday night will be a "stern test".

The game at the Showgrounds was rearranged from August due to the Blues' European commitments and will be the first time the two sides vying for the Gibson Cup will meet this season.

Healy's side currently trail the table-topping Bannsiders by nine points, but they have three games in hand and got back to winning ways in the league against Ballymena United on Saturday.

And the Blues boss is prepared for a tough assessment on the north coast, where his team were beaten 1-0 by Coleraine on their last visit in April.

"I have huge respect for Ruaidhri, I think he has done a brilliant job there," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"They have recruited very well, they have a top squad of players, so we look forward to the challenge.

"In years gone by anytime you went to Coleraine you were always in for a stern test and I'm sure that won't change on Tuesday night."

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine said that he is "delighted" after his side's dramatic 3-2 comeback win over Crusaders at Seaview, but acknowledged that they "have to be a lot better" going forward.

Glentoran took the lead in the 24th minute when Jordan Jenkins found the back of the net before Fraser Bryden levelled the match before the hour mark.

Elliot Dunlop fired the home side ahead, but Ryan Cooney's 88th minute goal and David Fisher's stoppage time strike sealed the three points in a dramatic fashion for the Glens.

"I thought we didn't play to our levels and were a bit off it, especially when we went a goal up, but I'm absolutely delighted," Devine told BBC Sport NI.

"When you're 2-1 down with seven or eight minutes to go and come away with three points, it's a testament to the players as they never gave in.

"It's a huge three points. The character and fitness to keep going to the end and the mental strength not to throw the towel in. Huge credit to the players, but we know we have to be a lot better than that."

Crusaders 'were robbed' - Caddell

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell said his side "crumbled" in the final five minutes of the match.

The Crues have now registered just one win in their last five league games.

It has been a challenging start to the season for the north Belfast side, who sit in 10th position. However, they are seven points clear of the Lurgan Blues at the bottom of the table.

"I am speechless and gutted with the way the game panned out," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"I think as a team we were robbed today if I am being honest.

"I thought the first half was scrappy from both teams and the difference was that we fell asleep for a set play, an unmarked man in the box cost us.

"The second half we were by far the better side and thoroughly deserved the two goals, could have been more, and then we crumbled and fell asleep in the last five minutes, and it has cost us."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said his side "didn't do enough in the first half" din their 1-0 loss against Cliftonville at Taylors Avenue.

Shaun Leppard's early header gave the away side the lead and, despite the home side upping the tempo in the second half, they couldn't find a way past Peter Morrison.

The result puts to an end the Reds' run of three-game losing run in the league with Carrick now without a win in two games.

"We just didn't do enough in the first half and by putting yourself on the back foot, you are chasing the game," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"I am thrilled with how we came into the game in the second half. We were a big match for Cliftonville here today, but the disappointment is you don't go away with anything in your pocket."

It has been a challenging month for Carrick in the league as they have registered just three points in four games.

Stephen Baxter's side will try to get back to winning ways next weekend against Bangor. However, the 60-year-old said their next opponents have been "the surprise package in the league" this year.

"Bangor have been the surprise package in the league and sometimes coming in from a different league, the Championship, you play with a little bit of freedom and have a go at it," Baxter continued.

"They have done exceptionally well, signed some very good players, have a style of play that is their own and they play really well.

"They have been a handful for everyone they have played this year, so we know we have a tough game for us."

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Linfield manager David Healy said his side showed "character" during their 2-1 victory over Ballymena at Windsor Park.

Euan East's 25th minute goal gave the home side the lead, but was cancelled out by Matthew Clarke's header on 62 minutes.

However, just seven minutes later, Ben Hall restored Linfield's lead with his goal proving to be the winner.

"It was important," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"The players showed character and reacted to the goal against us to go and put ourselves in front again.

"I am pleased with that and the effort. I thought some of our play was better today."

The Blues were keen to get back to winning ways after being defeated by Portadown last weekend in the league and by Cliftonville mid-week in the County Antrim Shield.

Healy added that he was also pleased with how his players responded to their last two defeats against the Sky Blues.

"A week in football can be a long time, a week here can be even longer," Healy continued.

"One thing that I have always tried to do is provide and show a bit of resilience and we've done that today.

"The players reacted to the disappointments and the privilege with this job is you don't get leniency with new players; it is just expected that players hit the ground running."

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Larne manager Gary Haveron said the 1-1 draw with Bangor at Inver Park was "bitterly disappointing".

Bangor broke the deadlock after just nine minutes when Ben Arthurs converted the rebound off Michael Morgan's shot.

The Inver Reds dominated the match, but it took until the 63rd minute for them to level in style through Conor McKendry.

"Two points dropped, very much so," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

"We gave them a foothold in the game. We gave them an early goal, which was bitterly disappointing because we talked about what they were going to do all week.

"We changed it a little bit early in the second half, and we had enough chances today to win plenty of games. So, coming away with a point, that feels bitterly disappointing."

The Larne native was unhappy that his side weren't awarded a penalty during the clash at Inver Park.

Sean Graham appeared to have been brought down in the box in the 20th minute before Paul O'Neill and Tomas Cosgrove both thought they should have been awarded a spot-kick in the second half.

Haveron added that despite his side having "three really big penalty shouts", they had enough chances to secure the three points anyway, but failed to convert them.

"I need to watch them all back again, but I thought we had three really big penalty shouts," Haveron continued.

"You can see for yourself and judge for yourself, but in my view, they were penalties all day long.

"I just hope they look back at it and have a serious look and ask themselves if they made the right decisions in those moments."

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Bangor manager Lee Feeney said his side earned a "deserved" point in their 1-1 draw with Larne at Inver Park.

It was a great start to the game for Lee Feeney's side, who took the lead on nine minutes when Ben Arthurs reacted quickest and fired home the rebound of Michael Morgan's effort.

However, the Inver Reds pushed for an equaliser and levelled the game through Conor McKendry's half-volley in the second half.

"We fought hard for that point," Feeney told BBC Sport NI.

"I felt through our effort, our desire and teamwork that we deserved a draw.

"In the first half we battled really well and got ourselves in front, probably against the run of play, and in the second half we had to defend well, which we enjoy, but we were hanging on in the end."

Bangor are now unbeaten in their last four games and had defeated Coleraine, Glenavon and Crusaders in the league this month before Saturday's draw.

However, despite the Seasiders adapting well to life in the Premiership, Feeney added that there "is a long way to go" and that his side are not getting ahead of themselves.

"The men work so hard in training, and they want to do well," Feeney continued.

"They care for each other, the club and the team so they deserve all the plaudits that they get as they put the work in, but we know there is a long way to go.

"If we can pick up points here and there and keep our heads above water, we will be happy."

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says he was satisfied that his team "found a way" to win their Irish Premiership game against Portadown at Shamrock Park on Saturday.

Aaron McCarey was sent-off at half-time and second-half goals from Matthew Shevlin and Joel Cooper ensured that the league leaders maintained their two-point lead at the top of the table.

"We weren't at our best but we found a way to win so there's some satisfaction in that," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"I liked the way we stuck at it and we kept moving the ball.

"Our two goals came from set plays which we'll take but given some of the goals we've scored this season I don't think we were as inventive today as we normally have been. We'll take it though and we have to be delighted.

The Bannsiders boss believes the dismissal of McCarey on a straight red card for retaliating to a challenge inside the penalty area from Shevlin was a significant turning point in the game.

"They had a very good shape about them in the first half and we had one or two opportunities but not as many as we would have liked.

"I thought we got into good areas at times but our final ball was lacking in the first half.

"Aaron got sent-off on the stroke of half-time and we knew we would have all of the ball in the second half."