Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker

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."

Image source, Pacemaker

Glentoran manager Declan Devine said his side "pressed self destruct" in Friday's 2-0 defeat by Larne in the Irish Premiership at Inver Park.

Andy Ryan scored a stoppage time penalty after Frankie Hvid brought the striker down in the area at the end of an even first half.

Matty Lusty doubled Larne's advantage soon after the restart to condemn the Glens to a third defeat in four matches.

"There's no dressing it up, we pressed self destruct," said Devine.

"I'm gutted because the goals we gave away are totally preventable."

The former Derry City manager said the game management from his side was "really poor" and he accepts responsibility for his side's current form.

The result leaves Glentoran fourth in the table, one point behind leaders Linfield but having played two matches more.

"We were comfortable right up to the penalty incident. To give away the goal the way we did, it's poor game management," Devine added.

"The blame fully sits at my door. I pick the team. We are giving away horrendous goals and it's come back to bite us again.

"We have to make sure we learn from this because it's not good enough."

Image source, Getty Images

Cliftonville have completed their 12th signing of the season by bringing in former Derby County goalkeeper Lewis Ridd.

The 20-year-old left the English side in the summer having spent the second half of last season on loan at Mickleover.

Ridd, a Welsh under-19 international, spent time in Swansea City and Ipswich Town's academies.

He also had loan spells with Sudbury, Bury Town and Brightlingsea before his move to Derby.

The Welshman will provide competition to David Odumosu and is eligible for the Reds' trip to the Showgrounds tomorrow, where they take on an in-form Ballymena United.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

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

The first of those streamed games sees Linfield travel to Lakeview Park to take on Loughgall on Friday 18 October.

The second north Belfast derby of the season between Cliftonville and Crusaders follows on Friday 1 November.

Two of Larne's home games - Sunday 10 November against Coleraine and Sunday 1 December against Cliftonville - will also be streamed.

The second Big Two derby of the season - Glentoran v Linfield - will be shown on 22 November and Glentoran's visit to Crusaders on Friday 13 December completes the set.

All games listed below will be available to watch on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport website & app.

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

Friday 18 October: Loughgall v Linfield

Friday 1 November: Cliftonville v Crusaders

Sunday 10 November: Larne v Coleraine (14:00)

Friday 22 November: Glentoran v Linfield

Sunday 1 December: Larne v Cliftonville (14:00)

Friday 13 December: Crusaders v Glentoran

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran manager Declan Devine was pleased with the response from his players in Tuesday's 2-0 win over Loughgall at the Oval.

Jay Donnelly and Danny Amos were on target for the east Belfast side, who had lost their previous two fixtures with Ballymena United and Dungannon Swifts.

"We were really, really disappointed in our last two results," Devine said.

"We needed to show character and the show the desire and hunger to go and get three points.

"There were still numerous chances in the first half where we could have put the game to bed, but that will come.

"When you have the quality players that took to the pitch then that will definitely come. Three points was all we asked for and it gets us back on the horse again."

Devine felt his side were "comfortable" for large parts of the game and his attentions now turn to Friday's game with Larne.

"The players deserve huge credit but we haven't got time for anything more than recovery now for Friday."

On Tuesday, the Glens announced the signing of Bermuda winger Djair Parfitt-Williams.

The 27-year-old was on the books of West Ham as an academy player and has had stints in Slovenia, Iceland, Finland and Greece.

Image source, Inpho

Loughgall manager Dean Smith says he is proud of the performance from his players in Tuesday's 2-0 defeat by Glentoran.

Jay Donnelly capitalised on an error to give Glentoran the lead after five minutes and summer recruit Danny Amos scored a second after the restart.

The result leaves Loughgall without a win in five matches and second from bottom in the Irish Premiership table.

"Disappointed? No, definitely not with the performance," Smith said.

"I thought we were really good in patches and we matched them in long periods of the game.

"It's an individual error for the first goal and the second one they get a wee bit lucky. I think it takes a deflection.

"Other than that I think we were really good. We were much, much better than what we have been over the past number of weeks."

Image source, Inpho

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell has said that Tuesday's 1-0 defeat by Dungannon Swifts was "very disappointing".

John McGovern scored the only goal of the game in the first half at Stangmore Park.

Crusaders dominated the game after the restart but could not breach the stubborn Dungannon defence.

"It's very disappointing," said Caddell, who replaced Stephen Baxter as the manager at Seaview.

"The first half was an evenly-matched contest. Both teams went and it and there was some great football on show.

"They had their chance and took it well.

"In the second half I thought we completely dominated in terms of possession and chances."

Swifts manager Rodney McAree admitted his side rode their luck against Crusaders, who have now lost their last two games in a row after a strong start to the season.

Despite the back-to-back defeats, Crusaders are just four points behind leaders Linfield and Cliftonville having played a game less.

"Sometimes you need that wee bit of luck for something to go in, but we didn't have that," Caddell added.

"I'm pleased with the boys' performance and their work ethic. If we keep playing like that then results will come."

Image source, Inpho

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree admits his side "rode our luck at times" in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Crusaders at Stangmore Park.

John McGovern scored the only goal of the game in the first half as the Swifts moved up to fourth place in the Irish Premiership table.

"It was possibly a tale of two halves, to be honest. I thought we were very good in the first half," said McAree.

"I thought we were more dominant in the first half. We played some good stuff and scored a great goal."

While McAree accepted his side were fortunate that Crusaders were not more clinical, he said his side were "brave" against the Seaview outfit.

"Coming in at half time you are looking for more of the same but Deccy [Declan Caddell, Crusaders manager] was looking a reaction in the second half and I think he got it," he added.

"We rode our luck on occasions in the second half. We could have conceded, but we stood up and we were brave.

"Listen, you need a wee bit of fortune in this game and a wee bit of luck. We got that in the second half and it's got us the three points."

Image source, Pacemaker

Ballymena United midfielder Aaron Jarvis says his team-mates "stood up to the challenge" as their strong form continued with a 4-1 win away to Carrick Rangers.

Jarvis netted the opener inside two minutes before doubled Ballymena's lead.

Steven Gordon responded for Carrick but two late penalties by Ben Kennedy fired Jim Ervin's side to a fourth league win in a row.

"We started really well and we dominated the first 10 or 15 minutes," Jarvis said.

"To be fair to Carrick, they came out of the blocks in the second half and scored.

"They put us under a lot of pressure, but credit to the boys. They stood up to the challenge and thankfully we got the third and fourth goals."

Ballymena will face a stern test against front runners Cliftonville on Saturday but Jarvis is hopeful that the Sky Blues can build upon their momentum.

"You don't get too high and you don't get too low," added the 27-year-old.

"We won but we move on to Saturday. It means nothing if we don't back it up.

"Cliftonville are a cracking side. I've played them numerous times and they are always a tough side to play against.

"We have a bit of momentum behind us and we can go and get a result."

Image source, Pacemaker

Gleavon manager Stephen McDonnell says any of his players could have been named man of the match in Tuesday's 0-0 draw with Larne.

Larne scored 19 goals against Glenavon in four matches last season on their way to winning the Irish Premiership title.

McDonnell admitted that had played on his mind and his focus was to keep Larne at bay at Mourneview Park.

"You have to show respect to the league champions and they scored quite a lot of goals against us last season," he said.

"We had to rectify that and we set up more defensively.

"I thought we executed it to the letter. I think you could have given the man of the match to anybody."

Glenavon are on a strong run of form with just one defeat in their last five matches and they welcome in-form Mid-Ulster rivals Dunagannon Swifts on Saturday.

"One defeat in five is momentum," McDonnell added.

"They are absolutely flying. Rod [Rodney McAree, Dungannon manager] is a hell of a guy and a hell of a coach.

"Every game in this league is going to be difficult but we are on home turf so we have to back ourselves."

Image source, Inpho

Coleraine manager Dean Shiels says his players need to be smarter in how they see out games after a dramatic 2-2 draw with Portadown on Tuesday.

Rhyss Campbell and Matthew Shevlin gave Coleraine a two-goal lead but Ryan Mayse pulled one back before Dougie Wilson netted a 96th-minute equaliser at Shamrock Park.

"When you concede in the last second it is massively disappointing," said Shiels.

"Especially when we had a free-kick high up the pitch with one minute to go. It's disappointing but it's one game and we have to learn from it and learn quickly.

"When you are 2-0 up away from you have to be smarter and we have to manage the game better."

The result leaves Coleraine sixth in the Irish Premiership table and Shiels says there are positives to take despite the manner of the draw.

"I think we showed really good, positive play when we passed the ball. We shifted Portadown around and we found spaces," added Shiels, who is in his first season in charge at Coleraine.

"We stopped doing that when they scored their first goal. We're young, naive and we dropped deep.

"We invited Portadown onto us, which was the wrong thing to do. We kept giving it back and it's a tough place to come.

"They made it really difficult for us in that last period and we didn't deal with it in the correct way."

Image source, Pacemaker

Portadown assistant manager Clifford Adams says his players showed a "never say die" attitude in Tuesday's dramatic 2-2 draw with Coleraine.

Substitute Dougie Wilson grabbed a 96th-minute equaliser at Shamrock Park as the Ports fought back from two goals down.

Rhyss Campbell and Matthew Shevlin put Coleraine ahead before Ryan Mayse pulled one back with 15 minutes to play and Wilson poked home deep into injury time.

It is the third time in four matches that Niall Currie's side have grabbed an equaliser or winning goal deep into stoppage time.

"It's always nice to get a 96th-minute goal. It's something we have been getting used to over the past number of weeks," said Adams.

"It just shows the desire, fight and never give up attitude. They are a fantastic group and they just keep going to the end."

Adams added he was "very pleased" with how Portadown, who were promoted from the Championship, handled playing against full-time Coleraine.

"We had our good spells of football and I thought we broke them down a lot.

"They are a good footballing side and they are full time, so they have a lot more time on their hands than we do.

"You can see their patterns of play but I thought we dealt with it. We didn't look any less fit than them for guys who train an hour and a half, twice a week."

Image source, Inpho

Jim Magilton says his Cliftonville side showed some "really encouraging signs" in Tuesday's goalless draw with Linfield.

The result keeps both teams tied at the top of the table on 14 points.

Chances were at a premium at Solitude, as Joel Cooper had a goal ruled out for Linfield while Kris Lowe and Ryan Curran had second-half efforts for the hosts.

"I thought it was a really competitive game and there was a big-game feel to it," said Magilton.

"Overall, I have to be happy with our display because we showed courage. You have to stand up to that test because of the outstanding team that Linfield are.

"I'm more encouraged by our display, in terms of the way we played. We're building momentum."

The Reds travel to a revitalised Ballymena United on Saturday, who have started the season well with four wins in their opening eight matches.

The Sky Blues only won eight matches in the entire 38-game campaign last season.

"We know we face a really difficult task on Saturday against Ballymena," Magilton added.

"They are bang on from and have momentum. I'm happy we are going to go in there and hopefully stand up to whatever they throw at us."

Image source, Inpho

Carrick Rangers manager Stuart King has admitted he has not "slept for weeks" due to his side's run of form.

The Taylors' Avenue outfit are bottom of the table after a 4-1 defeat by Ballymena on Tuesday extended their winless run in the league to six.

"I'm getting it tight. I'm trying to hold down a family and a career.

"I'm not stupid. We have to win games of football and that's what I'm going to be judged on."

Aaron Jarvis netted the opener for Ballymena inside two minutes and Daniel Lafferty doubled their advantage.

Steven Gordon pulled a goal back for Carrick, and both sides hit the woodwork before Ben Kennedy scored two late penalties to secure the win for Ballymena.

"At the minute, we're not getting any rub of the green and things are going against us," King said after the defeat.

"Someone has a voodoo doll against us - probably me - but I can look myself in the mirror and say I'm giving it everything, probably to the detriment to my family but it's not going away.

"It all falls on me. I'm the manager. I'm a proud man. I'm big and strong enough to deal with anything that comes my way but I need to look after myself, my family and the people who are important to me.

"When the chips are down, you see who your mates are and I need to look after myself a bit."

King's side travel to face title challengers Linfield on Saturday and he has reiterated his belief that his team are stronger than their form suggests.

"I genuinely believe when we have everyone fit and available, we are a top seven team. I genuinely believe that.

"We showed that last year but at the minute it's not happening and I take responsibility for that."

Image source, Inpho

David Healy praised the defensive effort of his side in their 0-0 draw with Cliftonville at Solitude.

Chances were at a premium at Solitude in the top of the table clash, with Joel Cooper having a goal disallowed for offside and Ryan Curran having a low effort saved by Chris Johns.

And Healy saluted his defenders for marshalling a potent Cliftonville frontline that included the likes of Joe Gormley and Curran.

"Cliftonville were direct in dragging us into areas we didn't want to go, Gormley and Curran were trying to spin into channels, but we limited them to very little, which is credit to our back three," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I thought our wingbacks tonight were good, Charlie Allen was really good in and out of possession.

"It was hard-fought, two good teams going at it."

Healy was also delighted that his side showed a response after a disappointing defeat against Linfield on Saturday.

"There wasn't much in the game, chance wise. We scored an offside goal which I'm not quite sure was offside," he added.

"I asked the players to be resilient after Saturday, because when you come into an atmosphere like this it is important to stay composed and not give up too many opportunities."

The former Northern Ireland striker did concede that he was slightly perturbed that they could not score a late winner in north Belfast.

"Slightly disappointed we didn't pinch the three points. We had the fight so you can't be too disappointed coming to a team like Cliftonville who won 5-1 on Saturday."

Image source, Inpho

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch says his side must find "ways and means" to break down opponents setting up defensively against them.

After Tuesday night's 0-0 draw with Glenavon, the back-to-back champions have scored just twice in their opening four games of the league season, winning only once.

"We have to find that little bit of rhythm," said Lynch.

"They've been difficult games just because of how teams have played.

"We're not going to make excuses. We're going to work harder and try and find ways and means to make sure we can break teams down when they play that way against us."

Lynch praised Glenavon's organisation and work-rate, but added he was "disappointed" his side did not force more goal-scoring opportunities in the draw with Matty Lusty's effort off the bar from distance the closest they came to finding the net.

"Frustrating for us but great credit to them," he said.

"We have to get better at breaking those teams down. It was a frustrating night, there's a lot of disappointed heads.

"We've got to learn from that. We know what we're getting and we have to get better in those areas."

Larne are back in action against Glentoran at Inver Park on Friday night in a game shown live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport NI website.