Irish League Football

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Larne boss Tiernan Lynch praised his team's character after they ground out an Irish Premiership win over Coleraine three days on from another disappointing night in Europe.

The Inver Park side edged the Bannsiders 2-1 thanks to goals from Paul O'Neill and Conor McKendry to move on from Thursday's defeat by St Gallen in the Uefa Conference League.

"The last couple of games after European games we've been flat and lacked a bit of character which this team is renowned for," said Lynch.

"Today was about character. There were tired bodies out there physically and mentally. First half we were very good but as the game went on we knew we'd tire a bit.

"That's when the character kicked in and I thought it was a great performance."

Lynch also described Logan Wallace's performance as "superb" after the defender marked his 19th birthday with a vital stoppage-time interception to deny Matthew Shevlin a certain equaliser.

"We'll not put too much pressure on him. He came in against Glentoran last week and was maybe thrown into the mix a little bit unfairly because we had so many injuries.

"But he grabbed that opportunity and I thought he'd done so well last week that he deserved to keep the shirt. As long as he keeps putting performances in he'll keep the shirt."

Shay McCartan's late winner from inside his own half for Portadown against Larne has been named October's goal of the month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

McCartan's effort, which secured a 2-1 win over the reigning Irish Premiership champions, was selected ahead of superb strikes by Crusaders' Kieran Offord, Linfield's Joel Cooper and Chris Middleton of Queen's University.

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Glentoran goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai has been named October's player of the month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

Gyollai, 27, had a strong month for Declan Devine's side as he produced a strong performance in the 3-1 win over Irish Premiership leaders Linfield and kept a clean sheet against Dungannon Swifts.

The Hungarian goalkeeper, who was previously at Stoke City, Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United and Maidenhead United, said Glentoran are "one of the best clubs I've been at".

"I'm enjoying my time at the Oval. We're working hard, but results haven't always come our way. We need to change that," he said.

"On a personal level, it's nice to win an individual prize but as a goalkeeper you don't sign for a club to win awards, you sign to help the team win games. That's my aim for the rest of the season."

Glens defender Frankie Hvid, who is also Gyollai's house mate, was runner-up.

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Declan Caddell was pleased that his side "managed the end of the game" in their 3-1 win against Loughgall at Seaview.

Philip Lowry opened the scoring for the Crues with Harry Franklin and Jordan Stewart sealing the win.

The Crues are now up to fifth in the table and Caddell recognised that it was an important victory when they weren't at their best.

"I thought the game was a bit scrappy, both teams needed time to find their feet and get into the game, but I was happy to go in 2-0 ahead at half-time," he told BBC Sport NI.

"Loughgall had chances of their own and we asked for a response in the second half and the players gave me that with the third goal.

"To concede straight after is criminal, and we struggled as Loughgall threw everything at us, but we managed the end of the game well."

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Loughgall boss Dean Smith said that his side needed to "defend better" as they fell to a 3-1 defeat against Crusaders at Seaview.

Philip Lowry opened the scoring for the Crues, with Harry Franklin and Jordan Stewart adding further goals.

Robbie Norton pulled a goal back for Loughgall, but Smith conceded that he was disappointed with his side's output in both boxes.

"It was a game of fine margins, we have a few opportunities at 0-0, Tuffey makes some good saves, but we need to score when we get in the six-yard box because we get punished," he told BBC Sport NI.

"They score with their first shot on target, the marking was poor, Philip Lowry is free and does what he does and then the second goal, from our point of view is very sloppy to give away, especially at a poor time before half-time and it's a mountain to climb at 2-0."

Smith was particularly disappointed with the defending for the second goal on the stroke of half-time.

"It's a goal we can avoid, we can defend a bit better but it's a learning curve for our players that they have to defend better. We were a bit disappointed with our overall performance," he added.

"I think the second half is a bit of a non-event, Crusaders do well to score a third, we go up the other end and score, but it is probably too little too late."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said that he was "devastated" by Portadown's late equaliser at Shamrock Park.

A Shay McCartan own goal had given Carrick an early lead, which they held until the last kick of the game, with McCartan's deflected strike rescuing a point for the Ports.

But Baxter believed his side's performance deserved all three points as they were left to rue missed chances.

"I'm devastated, last kick of the game and we will blame ourselves in many regards because we should have been five to the good such as the chances we have missed here," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We should have been four up at half-time and we missed a few in the second half.

"We restricted Portadown to nothing until the shot at the end and it flicks off one of players' shoulders and flies the other way, you can't legislate for that, that is football."

Despite only picking up a point, Baxter said that his side's display was "the best it's been" since he arrived at the club.

"That is a cruel way to draw a game, but we'll take nothing away from our performance today," he continued.

"Everyone working so hard for each other, the quality, the movement, we were magnificent, and you can be pleased with that."

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Portadown boss Niall Currie said that he was "relieved" to come away with a 1-1 draw against Carrick Rangers at Shamrock Park.

A Shay McCartan own goal had given Carrick an early first half lead, with the same player's late deflected strike rescuing a point for the Ports with the last kick of the game.

And Currie was satisfied with a point and his side's ability to push to the end after a below-par performance.

"I think we huffed and puffed, had plenty of the ball and if we played to midnight, we wouldn't have scored but thankfully we had a moment of magic and a bit of luck," he told BBC Sport NI.

"In moments like that you take the point and I'm relieved to get that so I don't think we can be disappointed today."

Currie also praised Carrick for their approach to the game which helped to frustrate the hosts for large periods.

"Credit goes to Carrick, they were resilient and really hard to break down and limited us to very few chances," he continued.

"We need to be better playing against teams with low blocks, but I'm proud of the boys you need to dig in and go to the end and we did."

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Glentoran assistant manager Tim McCann said that his side were "outstanding" in the second half of their 3-0 victory against Glenavon at Mourneview Park.

Finley Thorndike and Dylan Connolly added to Danny Amos' opener to help Glentoran get back to winning ways.

And McCann was pleased with his team's ruthless streak in front of goal and their ability to keep a clean sheet.

"It's been difficult the last couple of weeks there have been games we have gone in 1-0 up at half-time when we are well on top, but we couldn't get the killer goals and lucky enough we did that in the second half," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We're happy enough with the clean sheet and three goals."

McCann also explained how Declan Devine's half-time team talk inspired a much improved second half display after an even first half.

"I thought Glenavon were outstanding in the first half they gave us a real game and goals change games, and luckily we got the first goal," he continued.

"We knew we could have played a bit better in the first half, but we got them in at half time and Decky had a few words with them saying 'let's go after it and get that second goal' and kill the game off and play on the front foot.

"I thought second half the boys were outstanding we got the second goal and then the third."

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Glenavon boss Stephen McDonnell said that he was "extremely disappointed" by his side's display in their 3-0 defeat by Glentoran.

Goals from Danny Amos, Finley Thorndike and Dylan Connolly secured the victory for the Glens and extended Glenavon's winless run in the league to five games.

And McDonnell was frustrated by the manner of the goals they conceded at Mourneview Park.

"Glentoran came here today and scored three goals and didn't have to work for it, we have gifted them three goals," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I have no complaints with the result, we simply haven't been good enough and individual errors have cost us in this game."

McDonnell said that Thorndike's second goal so quickly into the second half turned the tide.

"You go in at half-time and do the usual ranting and raving saying 'let's get going for the second half and have a positive start' and then you concede after 45 seconds after a poor clearance and not being in a position to deal with the second ball, it sets you back," he added.

"You try to make positive changes and then third goal is criminal and kills off the contest."

Despite their recent winless run, McDonnell is confident that the Lurgan Blues' fortunes will turn soon, if they start taking their chances.

"It's a tough period, we have shown we can come through it before, and we'll keep working hard.

"We're not scoring enough goals and that is what is affecting us at the minute and we're not getting that bit of luck, but it will turn."

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree felt that his side were denied a penalty and that Cliftonville's spot kick should not have stood in their 4-1 defeat by the Reds.

Andy Mitchell went down under a challenge from Michael Newberry in the box in the first half, but Jamie Robinson waved away penalty appeals.

Then on the stroke of half-time, Rory Hale took a tumble after a challenge from goalkeeper Declan Dunne, with Robinson awarding a spot kick, which Joe Gormley converted.

"The one against us is not a penalty, we watched it on video and all Decky did was stand up and get a foot on it, he certainly hasn't used force," McAree told BBC Sport NI.

"The challenge on Andy was a decision that went against us. We have to be careful; we can't be too critical, we know we won't get every decision, but I think we're the only team in the league that haven't had a penalty, and we could have had one today."

McAree was also disappointed with the nature of the goals that the Swifts conceded.

"We take the lead then concede straight away which is disappointing, Gormley is unmarked in the six-yard box, and he does what he does," McAree added.

"We watched set pieces all week and we know they try things, but we let Taylor Steven come inside and we find ourselves 2-1 down and at that stage Cliftonville are in control.

"We were thinking get in at 2-1 and we're still in the game but a penalty goes against us."

McAree has also challenged his side to improve defensively as they look to get back to winning ways.

"We're not doing enough defensively; we conceded 10 goals in the opening 13 game and 11 in the last three so as a unit we have to have a look at that and be harder to beat."

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Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin praised the efforts of his team in Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Linfield at Windsor Park.

The visitors were well in the match until they had central defender Stephen O'Donnell shown a red card for two yellow card offences in the 70th minute.

Goals from substitute Rhys Annett and Kirk Millar condemned the Sky Blues to a fourth consecutive league reverse without scoring a goal.

"I thought to a man we were absolutely brilliant. I thought we kept the ball well and if our crosses in the final third had been a bit better we may have created a lot more but we didn’t," Ervin told BBC Sport NI.

"I couldn’t have asked for much more. They gave me everything that they could but we came away with no goals and no points."

The Ballymena boss believes his side should have been awarded a penalty late in the game for a possible handball by Linfield defender Scot Whiteside.

"It’s extremely frustrating. I thought we had a stonewall penalty not given but for what the players gave me I can’t ask for much more."

Ervin added that O'Donnell's dismissal was "the changing point in the game".

“After that we did well – we had to adjust to a new shape but we let too many crosses come in and when you give Kirk Millar that amount of time and space he’s always going to hurt you. Disappointed from the marking point of view [for Annett's opening headed goal], it’s a free header inside the box."

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Linfield manager David Healy commended his players for achieving "the required outcome" in Saturday's 2-0 win over Ballymena United in the Irish Premiership.

Sky Blues defender Stephen O'Donnell was dismissed with 20 minutes remaining for a handball, his second bookable offence, before substitute Rhys Annett and Kirk Millar scored the goals which ensured the Blues maintained their five-point advantage at the top of the table.

"I'm pleased with the three points and a clean sheet. It was hard fought, as I knew it would be, but we came out the end of it," said Healy after the game.

"We huffed and puffed without creating much in the first half.

"We settled down, we spoke. We got a little bit better in the second half – the required outcome was that we win today and we did that."

O'Donnell's sending-off saw the Blues play the final part of the game with a one-man advantage and Annett's headed goal was vital.

"We were pushing in and around that time to break the deadlock and when it did come it was at an important stage and at an important time.

“They’re down to 10 men, we threatened to open the door and thankfully we did.

“Rhys is a goalscorer. He’s not the biggest in terms of physicality but he’s in the right area, that’s where you want your number nine in front of the goalkeeper and he got an important touch on it."

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Crusaders v Loughgall (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Pre-match thoughts: Declan Caddell's team are going into the game off the back of a last-minute cup win and I think he'll want to push on in the league now. Loughgall will carry some confidence from their win over Dungannon, but Seaview has been a tough venue to get a result at this season.

Prediction: 2-0 (result 3-1)

Dungannon Swifts v Cliftonville (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Pre-match thoughts: This one is going to be close. Rodney McAree's team have started the season very well and are always tough to break down at home. Cliftonville are on a bit of a bounce, but always seem to struggle down in Dungannon. There's little to separate the two in this one.

Prediction: 1-1 (result 1-4)

Glenavon v Glentoran (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Pre-match thoughts: Glenavon are tough to break down, especially at home. They've had plenty of clean sheets this season and the longer they can stay in the game the more they'll frustrate Glentoran. Declan Devine will be looking to bounce back after a mixed bag of results recently.

Prediction: 0-1 (result 0-3)

Linfield v Ballymena United (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Pre-match thoughts: I think Ballymena have been struggling at the minute and to play away at Windsor is as tough a challenge as it gets. Linfield will do what they always do at home. David Healy will know they need a big performance, and I think they'll get it.

Prediction: 3-0 (result 2-0)

Portadown v Carrick Rangers (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound)

Pre-match thoughts: This could be a close one at Shamrock Park. Portadown are in good form, coming off the back of some big wins. Carrick on the other hand, are having a hard time at the minute, but with new manager Stephen Baxter in charge, they could pull something out of the bag.

Prediction: 2-1 (result 1-1)

Larne v Coleraine (Sunday, 14:00 GMT, live on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website)

Pre-match thoughts: Anytime we play Coleraine, they're tight games either decided by narrow score lines or ended in draws. We needed the win last week and want to come back and get another. We've got a lot of fixtures coming up and we want to push on and get a few points on the board.

Prediction: N/A (We'll let Tomas off with predicting this one!)

Don't forget to join Larne defender Tomas Cosgrove with Michael McNamee on this weekend's Sportsound programme on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport Website from 14:00 GMT on Saturday

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said that his side's 4-1 away win against Dungannon Swifts was "very pleasing".

A Joe Gormley hat-trick and a fine curling strike from Taylor Steven secured the victory, which was the Reds' fourth successive league win.

And Magilton was pleased with his side's resilience as they levelled a minute after Gael Bigirimana had scored the opener for the Swifts.

"I'm chuffed, it is always a very difficult place to come with the way they play and pass the ball so to come here and score four goals it is very pleasing," he told BBC Sport NI.

"I felt we took a little bit to get going, it was important to score soon after they did and thankfully, we did and that gave us the impetus to go on and win."

The Reds boss also said that he was running out of superlatives to describe Gormley, who moved to 10 league goals with his treble.

"He is just phenomenal in the box; he is one of those special players that creates his own space, and his technical ability is special, so we are very lucky to have him," Magilton added.

"A lot was made of the forwards that left the club in the summer, but I always had great faith in those that remained, and Joe Gormley has proved over many years that he is a goal scorer and today was case in point."