Irish League Football

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After Cliftonville recorded a thumping 5-0 victory over Ballymena United at Solitude BBC Sport NI got the opinions of Reds boss Jim Magilton and Sky Blues manager Jim Ervin.

Magilton on the ruthless nature of the win: "Our record against Ballymena this year was played four, lost four so today was important to build momentum and it was an indication of the appetite the players have to win. First half I was slightly disappointed we weren't more clinical. Second half was different we were really clinical."

On finishing the season strongly ahead of the Irish Cup final: "The Irish Cup is secondary at the minute it is about winning league games and building consistency. We are on a run now which is important and there is competition for places. We have to finish with a real flourish and go galloping into an Irish Cup final."

Ervin on the defeat: "It was extremely poor. Second half, we absolutely fell to pieces. The last 15 minutes, for whatever reason, we gave up. At 2-0 you're still in the game but the goals we conceded in the last 15 minutes were so soft. It's a game we'll want to forget but we need to look at."

On the race for seventh and a potential European play-off: "I thought we needed to win the game to keep the fight for seventh going. They now have a six-point gap with nine games to play it is still mathematically doable and Cliftonville have a cup final to look towards too so who knows how they will prepare in the next couple of weeks. We have to do our own job and today we didn't do it."

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After a dramatic 2-2 draw at Seaview, where Crusaders fought back twice to claim a point against Larne, BBC Sport NI got the thoughts of Crues boss Declan Caddell and Larne manager Gary Haveron.

Caddell on the result: "At the end I was happy with a point considering we came from behind twice. The first half was a bit of a non-event, and we get done by a set-piece. Second half, we looked like the only team going to win it.

"We got the equaliser and then conceded straight after, but the boys showed a bit of character to get a goal back, so I'm proud of the performance."

On Stewart Nixon's late equaliser: "It's a great strike and I'm so pleased for him this season has been a bit stop start for him it seems to be injury after injury, but he's been back a few weeks contributed against Glentoran and today gets the equaliser, it's good to see him with a smile back in his face."

On Jordan Stewart's late red card: "I think it did warrant a red card, it was a bit reckless, but I have to see it back to see it clear."

Haveron on the draw: "Massively frustrated with the amount of chances we created. We got our noses in front and should have seen the game out. We should have killed the game off in the first half, but we allowed them to come back into it second half."

On the race for second place: "When that result comes in [second place Glentoran losing against Linfield] you think you want to take full advantage, we didn't manage to do that today but there are going to be more twists and turns and points dropped so we just turn to the next one."

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After Jamie Glackin scored a late winner to help Coleraine beat Dungannon Swifts 3-2, a result that moved the Bannsiders into contention for second place, BBC Sport NI caught up with Coleraine boss Dean Shiels and Swifts manager Rodney McAree.

Shiels on the victory: "We started the game so well going two goals up and we were really comfortable. Their goal was an exceptional goal from John McGovern which turned the game.

"We let them back into it second half and it was just about finding a way as it has been the last few weeks. We needed the goal at that stage, Dungannon were pressing really hard and our winner came against the run of play, but it's points over performance at this time of the season."

On pushing to finish second: "It's crazy we're only five points off second place again and we just want to finish the season as high as we can."

McAree on the defeat: "We give ourselves a mountain to climb with the goals we concede early on. It was a difficult start, but I thought we responded well. It's a wonderful strike from McGovern and second half I thought there was only one team that was going to win it and wanted to win it. We pushed and pushed, and we very nearly got there but we got hit by a sucker punch".

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Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin has emphasised that the club's ambitions for next season will be much higher than just Premiership survival after they banished any lingering relegation fears by picking up a point in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with mid Ulster derby rivals Portadown at Shamrock Park.

McLaughlin took over the reins at the Mourneview Park outfit in mid-November with the club languishing perilously close to the drop zone following Stephen McDonnell's departure from the club.

"I said to the players after Tuesday night, congratulated them on getting themselves out of trouble, on getting us out of the relegation zone and securing our status but it wasn't something to be celebrated.

"We patted them on the back for that but it's not a position we want to be in year on year. You want to climb the division, you want to compete against the top sides.

"There's no reason why not, the potential at Glenavon is incredible and it's up to us to deliver more on the pitch."

McLaughlin explained that top flight survival had been his primary objective when he took charge of the club but expectations would be raised for next term.

"We always aim high, we are ambitious as a club. But when we came to the club our first mission was to survive because Glenavon were in a bad place," reflected the former Cliftonville boss.

"They had three wins from 18 league games and were four points off the bottom of the league.

"We were definitely in a relegation fight and we have pulled away from that. From being four points ahead of them we're now 21 points ahead of Loughgall.

"Carrick were ahead of us on goal difference with a game in hand and we're now 13 points ahead of them. That swing is incredible and the players deserve all the credit in the world."

McLaughlin added that his side had shown themselves capable of competing with the top teams in the league in individual games but "it was not good enough to be fighting for survival".

"The club and the supporters deserve more and it's up to me and the players and the staff to improve that.

"Next year we don't want to be fighting for our lives come the run-in, we want to be in the top six, challenging for Europe and getting into cup finals.

"We're more than capable of doing it, it's maybe just that bit of belief."

Richard Petrie
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin says he has been pleased with the impact made by January transfer window recruit Success Edogun but has been encouraging the forward to get himself into more goalscoring positions.

The 23-year-old joined the Sky Blues from Finn Harps at the end of January and has scored three goals in 10 league outings, including two in Tuesday's 5-2 win over Loughgall at the Showgrounds.

Ervin, who signed a new full-time contract with the club until 2028 on Friday, said Edogun's physical presence had made him "very effective" for the side.

"We'd spoken to him before about getting in the right areas as he does so much hard work outside of the box," Ervin said.

"He's a big powerful runner but in order for him to score goals we want him to stay closer to the goal and in and around the penalty area where he's going to score his goals."

'Training levels have gone through the roof'

The striker's double against the league's basement side in midweek keeps his club in contention for the seventh place which could book them a berth in the end-of-season European play-offs.

The Braidmen lie ninth in the table, three points behind Cliftonville and one adrift of Portadown above them in the race to top the bottom half of the table.

"His [Edogun's] two goals that he scored the other evening weren't spectacular but with his presence and his pace and his power he frightened the defenders and forced them into mistakes. He was in the right areas at the right times.

"No-one really cares what sort of goals you score as long as you score, especially when you are a centre forward.

"I'm frustrated that he hasn't scored more goals than he has but he's looking to add more in the four remaining league games. He's been a big plus for us and he's done extremely well since he came in."

Ervin hailed the impact made by Kian Corbally, Patrick McEleney and on-loan Conor Barr, who were also added to the Ballymena ranks in January.

"I'm really pleased with how they have all done but it has also driven the other boys in the squad to make sure that they're on the ball.

"The training levels have gone through the roof, everyone is competing not just for a place on the starting XI but also to get onto the bench. As a manager it gives you a headache but it's a nice headache to have."

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While there is still plenty left to play for in the Irish Premiership this season, the destination of the Gibson Cup has already been decided.

Linfield's imperious season saw them crowned champions with six games remaining and they will be presented with the league title trophy after Saturday's game with Glentoran live on BBC Two NI, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

We'll bring you live coverage of the final 'Big Two' game of the season from 12:45 BST with the trophy presentation to follow after full-time.

Gavin Andrews will be joined by former Linfield manager David Jeffrey and former Glentoran captain Paul Leeman at Windsor Park with Derry City manager Tiernan Lynch alongside Thomas Kane in the commentary box.

If you can't get to the screen to watch, Sportsound will be on from the earlier time of 13:00 BST on Radio Ulster and BBC Sounds with live audio commentary of Linfield against Glentoran followed by the rest of the day's games.

And we'll have every game covered on the BBC Sport website too with all the goals and updates from every game in the Irish Premiership.

Saturday 5 April - Irish Premiership fixtures

Linfield v Glentoran (13:00) - live on BBC Two NI, iPlayer & BBC Sport website

Carrick Rangers v Portadown (15:00) - listen on Sportsound on Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds

Cliftonville v Ballymena United (15:00) - listen on Sportsound on Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds

Coleraine v Dungannon Swifts (15:00) - listen on Sportsound on Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds

Crusaders v Larne (15:00) - listen on Sportsound on Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds

Glenavon v Loughgall (15:00) - listen on Sportsound on Radio Ulster & BBC Sounds

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Larne head coach Gary Haveron says he will be happy to fulfil whatever role the club want him to do in the future.

Haveron was elevated to the top job from his previous position as part of the backroom coaching staff at the Irish Premiership club in mid-December after newly appointed manager Nathan Rooney switched to become head of football because he did not possess a Uefa Pro Licence.

Rooney has since successfully enrolled to undergo his Pro Licence training and is expected to resume his place as manager of the Invermen in the future.

"I'm more than happy to fulfil any role that Larne Football Club want me to fulfil," said Haveron.

"It's maybe difficult when you have to make tough awkward decisions [as head coach] but that comes part and parcel with the job.

"Nathan is obviously on the Pro Licence and I hope it all goes according to plan with him and I'll do whatever role Larne FC want me to do."

Larne's domestic season to date has seen them lose to Glentoran in the County Antrim Shield final, exit the BetMcLean Cup at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Cliftonville and suffer a disappointing Irish Cup fifth-round defeat to Limavady United.

Their European exploits in qualifying for the league phase of the Uefa Conference League have hindered their domestic progress as they have been forced to play catch-up with their Premiership fixtures.

Despite failing to mount a significant challenge for a third successive Irish League title however, the east Antrim outfit remain well in contention for the runner-up spot which would secure automatic European qualification for next season

Haveron's side are two points behind second-placed Glentoran with four rounds of matches still to play.

"This season has been full of positives. So many people have written us off over the course of the season and we still find ourselves in the mix for second place in the league," added Haveron, whose side are away to Crusaders on Saturday.

"Some people are saying it's been a disastrous season for Larne and we maybe didn't put enough pressure on Linfield, but we had so many games to catch up on it obviously ended up being detrimental to us.

"At the same time our season, if you offered it to any other team in the Irish League, they would have taken it."

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Glentoran moved back into second place in the Irish Premiership thanks to a 2-1 victory over Coleraine at the Oval on Tuesday night.

BBC Sport NI caught up with both managers after the first post-split fixture for the top six sides.

Glentoran boss Declan Devine on ending a run of five games without a win in all competitions: "Our guys, even though there was a bit of anxiety over recent performances and results, we needed to stand up and be counted.

"I felt every single player that went on that pitch really gave a shift and really worked hard.

"That's testimony to the players, there's been nobody hurting more than them over the last couple of weeks."

On finishing the season with four away games: "We're playing potentially at home for the last time this year.

"Our fans have been incredible right throughout the year in good times and bad times.

"They've stuck by us and really got behind us. The message tonight was to please send them home happy with three points."

Coleraine manager Dean Shiels on missed chances in the second half: "It was unbelievable that we didn't come away scoring three or four. 

"When you come to the Oval, it's very difficult to create as many clear cut chances as we did.

"It's very disappointing to come away with nothing."

On the fight for European play-off seeding in the top six: "This is a year we're trying to finish as high up the table as we can.

"Every game is important, because it's so congested with ourselves and Dungannon and Crusaders.

"We know that one win can take you up one or two places. Every game is going to be difficult.

"We've four left, three at home, one away, and we'll keep fighting to the end."