Irish League Football

Image source, Presseye

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin bemoaned a "dip in performance levels" by his players as they went down 2-1 at home to Larne in the Irish Premiership.

Jordan McMullan's early goal had the Sky Blues ahead but Tiarnan O'Connor and Paul O'Neill struck to ensure all three points went back to east Antrim.

"I thought the performance levels that we've had over the past number of weeks just weren't there and we gave away two soft goals," lamented the Ballymena boss.

"We fell short but the effort, endeavour and commitment the boys showed me was incredible.

"Jordan followed up from his goal on Saturday which was pleasing but you've got to keep going to the next level because when you're playing Larne you have to make sure that you're on your game. Unfortunately tonight we weren't. I'm extremely disappointed with the result."

Next up for United is the visit of League Cup winners Cliftonville to the Showgrounds.

"We now have to pick ourselves up with another huge game at home on Saturday against Cliftonville and we have to try and get back to winning ways," added Ervin.

Image source, Presseye

Larne manager Gary Haveron has praised the contributions of Tiarnan O'Connor and Paul O'Neill, who scored the goals which sealed a 2-1 comeback win for their side against Ballymena United in Tuesday's Irish Premiership game at the Showgrounds.

Jordan McMullan had given the Sky Blues the lead, before the visiting strikers found the net to secure a valuable three points for Haveron's men in their challenge to clinch the runner-up spot which would guarantee qualification for European football.

"When you take the step up the spotlight is on you and can you cope with it and he's answered it with goals," said Haveron of O'Connor, who joined the league champions from Championship outfit Harland and Wolff Welders in January.

"He's adding to his all-round game as well, He's realising how physical a league it is too, he has picked up a knock and had to come off at half-time."

Former Glentoran and Cliftonville forward O'Neill is also back in goalscoring form.

"You never ever question Paul O'Neill's heart and desire. The lad has got it in spades, he's a great character.

"He's really popular around the training ground and he's been so upbeat even at times when he was struggling with injury. It's been a long frustrating season for him.

"It's great to have him back and among the goals because it's reward for all the work you do behind the scenes."

The Larne boss praised his side's spirit and togetherness which he believes helped them get over the line against the Braidmen.

"We really tried to get the ball down and move it and I thought we did that really well tonight and especially in the first half played some lovely football. I'm delighted to get the three points as coming here is never easy.

"They're a great group of lads. They've taken some knocks this year, criticism by people, but they're playing two games every week relentlessly and they don't shirk it.

"It shows you how tight and galvanised they are as a group, the way they came out fighting. I'm absolutely delighted for them, really proud of them."

Watch highlights as Larne come from behind to beat Ballymena United 2-1 in the Irish premiership at the Showgrounds.

Image source, Getty Images

Linfield have announced the signing of Spanish midfielder Alex Rodriguez until the end of the 2025-26 season.

The 31-year-old came through Sunderland's academy and played for Wellington Pheonix in the A-League, Boavista in Portugal and Romanian side Spesi OSK.

From there he moved on to Motherwell in Scotland and had spells at Oxford United and Forest Green Rovers, but has been without a club since July.

Rodriguez said he was "excited" to join Linfield and "be part of such a historic and ambitious club".

"I can't wait to get started and contribute to the team's success on and off the pitch for the last seven games," he told the club's website.

Manager Healy said Rodruigez was a "fantastic addition" to Linfield's squad.

"His experience, leadership, and quality in midfield will be a huge asset for us as we push on this season.

"He has been training with us over the past few weeks and has already begun to settle into the squad. I am thrilled to welcome him to the club for the rest of this season and next."

Linfield are close to winning their first Irish Premiership title in three years and hold a 19-point advantage of Glentoran in second, who have two games in hand over the runaway leaders.

Image source, Press Eye

Niall Curneen has left his role as chief executive of Irish Premiership champions Larne to take up a new role outside of the club.

Curneen joined the club in 2018 as a youth development officer and became the club's general manager a year later.

He transitioned into the role as CEO as Larne won back-to-back Irish Premiership titles and created history with their run in the Uefa Conference League during his tenure.

Larne owner Kenny Bruce described Curneen as an "outstanding steward" of the club.

"As people grow in life, success naturally brings new opportunities, and while we are sad to see Niall step away from his day-to-day role, we are absolutely delighted to see him take on an exciting new challenge, one where we know he will thrive," he told the club's website.

"Niall's stamp is firmly imprinted on the club's journey so far and I have no doubt his influence will continue to be seen in many of our future achievements."

Curreen will remain on the executive board at the club and says he was in a "privileged position" as the club's CEO.

"I've been supported by tremendous staff and an army of volunteers from across our club, from our board to our fans, our stewards to our matchday volunteers. I'm so grateful for the support that they have given me," he said.

"I will stay active and support people the same way in which I have been supported throughout, and I feel I still have the energy and the passion to continue to have a positive influence on the club, just from a slightly different angle."

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran boss Declan Devine says his side switched off for Cliftonville's goal as they went down to a 1-0 extra-time defeat in the BetMcLean Cup final.

Joe Gormey fired home from Ryan Corrigan's cross to put the Reds in front on 99 minutes before Jonathan Russell shot over the bar with a late chance to equalise.

"I'm really disappointed with the manner that we lost it, we switched off," said Devine.

"We just had made a substitution because of an injury and within a minute or two we're caught napping at the back post. But that's what Joe Gormley does and has done for all of his career - that really was the difference.

"The game was calling out for someone to put the ball in the back of the net. We had a great opportunity at the end but weren't able to take it.

Glentoran secured their first silverware in five years by winning the County Antrim Shield in January.

Devine praised his team's effort despite falling short in Sunday's decider at Windsor Park.

"I'm extremely proud of my players - each and every one absolutely emptied the tank but it's not something we want to be experiencing too often [losing a cup final].

"The first goal was always going to be really important. We were just missing that one bit of quality in the opposition box."

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley said he was "ready when called upon" as he netted the winner for Cliftonville in the BetMcLean Cup final.

Gormley struck in the 99th minute to help the Reds to a 1-0 extra-time victory against Glentoran at Windsor Park.

The substitute met Ryan Corrigan's cross to prod the ball beyond Daniel Gyollai for his seventh goal in five BetMcLean Cup finals.

"It's amazing - my family are in the stand so to score the winner, it means a lot," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I was ready when I was called upon and with scoring the goal I think it paid off why Jim put me on."

Gormley was pleased to have contributed to the cup victory after being an unused substitute in the Irish Cup final victory last May.

"I thought the team were outstanding and it was only a matter of time before we scored, we just needed a little bit of luck," he continued.

"Thankfully Ryan Corrigan plays a ball like that into the box, and I was just glad to get on the end of it."

The 35-year-old admitted that the BetMcLean Cup is a special competition to him as he picked up his fifth winner's medal.

"It's my fifth League Cup and I've scored seven goals in five finals so it's a good record to have and a cup that has been kind to me over the years."

Image source, Inpho

A series of consistent performances by Jarlath O'Rourke have been recognised by the Crusaders defender receiving the Northern Ireland Football Writers' player of the month prize for February.

O'Rourke helped his side keep three clean sheets as they won all four of their matches during the month.

The former Dungannon Swifts player also chipped in with a goal in stoppage time as the Crues beat Ballymena United 3-1 at Seaview in a Premiership game on 15 February.

O'Rourke's award made it a double for the Seaview outfit after Declan Caddell was named manager of the month for February.

"We had the perfect month with the cup win over Limavady United followed by the league wins over Larne, Ballymena United and Glenavon," said O'Rourke.

"It was nice to chip in with a goal against Ballymena as I don't score too many," he added.

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Linfield manager David Healy says it is "another game ticked off" after a 2-0 victory at Crusaders saw the Blues edge closer to winning the Premiership title.

Teenager Matthew Orr headed the visitors in front at Seaview on 72 minutes and Matthew Fitzpatrick drilled home to double the advantage with six minutes remaining.

It stretched Linfield's lead at the top to 19 points with seven games remaining for the Windsor Park team.

"It's another game ticked off - it's a big win," said Healy.

"Performance wise, I thought we were good, certainly in the second half and we were deserved winners.

"We created some good opportunities and good moments in the game."

Crues defender Jimmy Callacher headed against the bar in a tight first half before Linfield gained the upper hand in the second half.

Orr's looping header broke the deadlock before Fitzpatrick fired in at the nearpost to seal another three points.

Healy's side got back to winning ways after losing 2-0 last time out to Coleraine a fortnight ago.

"We knew when you come to Seaview you have to sure you're in the game and physically match them up.

"The team selection raised a few eyebrows but we got the job done."

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton acknowledges the result is the only thing that matters in Sunday's BetMcLean Cup final against Glentoran, with the means of achieving the desired outcome much less significant.

The 52-times capped Northern Ireland international aims to guide his side to a second trophy success of his tenure after the Reds beat Linfield to lift the Irish Cup at Windsor Park 10 months ago.

"Sometimes it's not about how you win it, it's just about winning it," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"Declan [Devine, Glentoran manager] will be desperate to bring more silverware to the Oval and I'm desperate to bring more silverware to Solitude and to our fans who have been magnificent this season.

"The final comes and goes so quickly in the blink of an eye and it's about focus, a real focus of attention on our opponents, who are going to provide really tough opposition, and of course on ourselves, how we are going to win."

Magilton believes the club's long-serving striker Joe Gormley will have a key role to play in the decider.

"He's had an incredible season for us - his goals have kept us within touching distance, his goals have always helped this football club. He's a wonderful player.

"We've played him probably a little too much at times, which has resulted in him having to be rested.

"But it's Joe Gormley, it's a cup final, and I'm sure he'll be ready.

The Reds boss has great respect for Glentoran manager Devine, having previously worked with the former Derry City boss while working for the Irish Football Association.

"I've had the absolute pleasure of working beside him at the IFA and he's done an incredible job at Glentoran," said Magilton.

"He's brought his own character and personality and determination to that team and they've had a great season thus far."