Irish League Football

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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell has been awarded October's manager of the month by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

The Crues recorded victories over Coleraine and Ballymena United in the Irish Premiership, along with a draw with Larne at Inver Park.

Caddell's side also knocked Linfield out of the County Antrim Shield and defeated Championship side Ballyclare Comrades in the BetMcLean Cup.

"It was a good month even though we lost to Linfield in the league. It's always difficult when you play a team back-to-back like that," said Caddell, who replaced long-serving Stephen Baxter as the manager at Seaview

"But to take seven points in the league and to progress in both cup competitions means it was a good month. It was nice to put a run together.

"On a personal level, it's nice to be named Manager of the Month by the Football Writers', as I never managed to win the Player of the Month award!".

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine says his side are "desperate to get that consistency" as his team struggles for form this season.

The east Belfast side are seventh in the table eight points off leaders Linfield having played a game more.

Next up is a trip to Mourneview Park to face Glenavon, a team that has historically caused them a few headaches.

"We know that when we are at our levels, we’re more than a match for anyone. We’ve had a few wobbles here and there, as most teams have had as well, but we’re certainly looking to improve on our consistency," Devine said.

"I really don’t think we’re too far away, but we really have to go and demonstrate it now and make sure that those little inconsistencies that have cost us over the course of the opening phase of games, we can rectify and try and put to bed.

"I think coming up to Christmas, you will start to see a bit more consistency from teams. There’s been a lot of surprises and a lot of games where there’s really nothing in it."

Devine also spoke of the fact that missing three consecutive penalties at home in their last three games has been a huge source of frustration.

"We have had three consecutive [missed] penalties at home in three weeks and I’ve never in my life experienced anything like that," he conceded.

"It’s the fine margins. They weren’t penalties when you are two or three nil up, they were penalties that were really defining in the moment and if anything has probably been the biggest disappointment."

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Glenavon manager Stephen McDonnell says his side are "certainly doing good enough" despite back-to-back defeats in all competitions.

The Lurgan Blues suffered a disappointing BetMcLean League Cup exit at the hands of Armagh City which followed a 3-0 defeat at Loughgall in their last league outing.

They sit 10th in the table with just three wins from 15 games ahead of their meeting with Glentoran on Saturday, but McDonnell did not seem too perturbed.

"What’s done is done, but we also need to reflect in particular on the last two games, where we’ve dominated the football in terms of the chances created and we have missed some seriously easy opportunities to score goals," he said.

"In one way it’s a concern because we’re not putting the ball in the net, but on the other side of it, we’re creating multiple good opportunities, so that would suggest we’re certainly doing enough."

Whilst conceding that the last two games have been a "major disappointment", the manager is content with the progress his side are making.

“The reality is, we’re sitting on 15 points, which is nine points off second. There are four games in particular that we know we left points behind in, that we were extremely dominant in, and we picked up a draw," he explained.

"Four draws that we should’ve turned into four wins and those eight extra points means you’re two points off second. That’s how fine the margins are."

Speaking about this weekend’s fixture against a Glentoran side who are also desperate to put points on the board, McDonnell added that his side were going in with confidence.

"We drew 0-0 at The Oval in the reverse fixture and we should’ve taken all three points but, we take confidence from that.

"I think we’re in a better place from when we had to go to the Oval. We’ll be going to take full points and if we can do that, the whole complexion of the league table changes once again.”

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Ballymena United will host either holders Linfield or Glentoran in the tie of the round in the BetMcLean Cup quarter-finals.

The quarter-finals draw also pits Crusaders and Dungannon Swifts in another all-Irish Premiership tie.

Armagh City will take on Cliftonville with Annagh United, who beat Glenavon on penalties in the second round on Tuesday night, hosting either Institute or Irish Premiership champions Larne.

All quarter-final ties bar Ballymena's contest with Linfield or Glentoran will be played on 3 or 4 December.

Linfield's second-round contest against Glentoran will be played on Windsor Park on 3 December with the Institute v Larne game taking place on 19 November.

The semi-finals draw was also made on Wednesday with Annagh United, Institute or Larne taking on Armagh City or Cliftonville and Ballymena United, Linfield or Glentoran facing Crusaders or Dungannon in the other last-four tie.

The semi-finals will take place on 13/14 January.

BETMCLEAN CUP QUARTER-FINALS

Armagh City v Cliftonville

Annagh United v Institute or Larne

Ballymena United v Linfield or Glentoran

Crusaders v Dungannon Swifts

SEMI-FINALS

Annagh United or Institute or Larne v Armagh City or Cliftonville

Ballymena United or Linfield or Glentoran v Crusaders or Dungannon Swifts

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Manager Dean Shiels says Coleraine are taking Tuesday's BetMcLean Cup second-round tie away to Crusaders "very seriously".

The Bannsiders last won the League Cup in 2020, which was the club's last trophy.

Coleraine defeated Ballinamallard United 4-0 in the first round while Crusaders edged past Ballyclare Comrades 3-2.

"We want to go there and try to progress to get a cup run," said Shiels.

"You are only three or four games away from a cup final. That's the way of looking at it."

Shiels admits it is a "very difficult draw" for his side, but he wants his team to carry their recent momentum into the match.

After a difficult run of form, Coleraine have responded to win three of their last four league matches to sit fifth in the Irish Premiership table.

Crusaders won the only encounter between the sides earlier in the season but Shiels was delighted with the performance, despite the defeat.

"We played so well and created so many chances when we played them in the league.

"If we can go and replicate that performance then I'd be very happy.

"It's a tough game but we do feel good about ourselves at the moment. We look like a team that is motivated and we will go there hungry to try and progress."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter hailed a "monumental effort" by his players even though they ultimately lost 3-1 to leaders Linfield in Sunday's Irish Premiership clash at Taylors Avenue.

Baxter said Joe Crowe's early Carrick goal "probably hindered us a bit because Linfield then came at us in waves".

Carrick led up until Kyle McClean's 77th-minute equaliser with Joel Cooper putting the Blues ahead two minutes later before Chris Shields' injury-time penalty.

"I was always fearful that once one goal went in, you might see one or two following after that because it’s very hard to sustain that pressure and defend the way you have to defend when you are up against a team like Linfield," said Baxter.

"I said before the match, it’s like a juggernaut coming at you and that’s exactly what it is. And you have to credit Linfield for hanging in there and finding the solution which they did."

It was Baxter's first defeat since taking the Carrick job last month.

"The last four weeks this team have worked exceptionally hard. I’ve very proud of what they’ve achieved thus far.

"We have a very limited squad right now in player availability etc. You work with what you have and I’m proud of the effort."

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Linfield manager David Healy insisted he and his players "won't get carried away" after moving five points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table following Sunday's 3-1 comeback win at Carrick Rangers.

Joe Crowe's third-minute goal put the hosts ahead but Kyle McClean levelled for Linfield on 77 minutes, with Joel Cooper immediately adding a second before Chris Shields' injury-time penalty.

"There's a long way to go," said Healy of the title race, with the Blues now five points clear of second-placed Cliftonville.

"We don’t get too high. We don’t get too low even though sometimes at Linfield, you want to get low because everybody, everything goes a little too negative."

Healy was pleased with his team's response to going behind.

"I don’t think we did an awful lot wrong in the first half. We found ourselves behind. We pushed but didn’t quite get the golden opportunities but we found a way, we stuck together in the second half.

"We certainly deserved to win the game in the end. We had enough ball. We had enough chances and then ultimately we scored the right amount of goals."

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Larne captain Cian Bolger said that he hopes his side can "kick on" in the Irish Premiership after their 2-0 win against Glentoran.

Goals from Andy Ryan and Bolger secured the win at the Oval as Larne got back to winning ways after a stuttering start to their title defence.

And Bolger was pleased that the Inver Reds were able to grind out the win as they aim to climb the table.

"We've been disappointed the last few weeks with our league form so we're happy with the three points, he told BBC Sport NI.

"Glentoran started well and we had our backs against the wall the first 15-20 minutes, but I thought the lads defended well and we stood up to it."

Whilst happy to contribute with a goal, Bolger was more satisfied that Larne managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in five league games.

"We spoke all week about getting back to keeping clean sheets, that is what we pride ourselves on the last couple of years and we've come away from that recently," he continued.

"To get the clean sheet was the most pleasing thing, the goal was a bonus."

Bolger was also keen to praise centre back partner Logan Wallace, who was making his debut.

"I thought he was outstanding, it's not an easy place to come for a senior player never mind your debut but I thought he was excellent, and he should be proud of himself."

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Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin believes his side are only going to go "from strength to strength" after beating Dungannon Swifts 4-1.

Shevlin netted a hat-trick as the Bannsiders recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time this season.

And the forward thinks that things are finally starting to click under Dean Shiels.

"We’re only going to go from strength to strength that is back-to-back wins and we’ve bought into what Dean wants to do," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We’re a brand new team and we’re new to full-time football so it was never going to click straight away.

"Dungannon are a quality side, so we knew it was going to be a tough test. Thankfully we got ahead and then they pegged us back with a quick goal, but we responded with great character and put the game to bed."

The 25-year-old was also pleased to contribute to the win with a treble, that he admitted was a long time coming.

"I had a good performance last week with two goals and I just wanted to come in today and keep the momentum going so delighted with the three points and three goals is always a bonus," he continued.

"I said to my girlfriend recently that it’s been two years since I scored a hat-trick, so I put that right today."

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Dean Smith said his Loughgall side were "super from start to finish" and showed "real togetherness" during their 3-0 victory against Glenavon at Lakeview Park.

Jordan Gibson and Nathaniel Ferris netted in the first half before Jamie Rea scored in additional time for the bottom-of-the-table side.

“There was a real togetherness in the team performance today,” Smith told BBC Sport NI.

“Over the game we probably edged it in terms of chances and the clinical side that we probably have been missing at the start of the season.

“The players gave everything. As a manager that’s all you want is for the players to give everything, and I think you can see that, and the crowd buy into that and they just feed off one another.

The victory over Glenavon was Loughgall's second of the season after defeating Dungannon Swifts last weekend at Stangmore Park and Dean Smith's side are now level on points with 11th-placed Carrick Rangers.

"It gives us momentum; we talk about it all the time," Smith added.

"It takes something for momentum to turn and we got that last week, and we have built on it this week and we just want to keep building on it and moving forward."

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Glenavon manager Stephen McDonnell said it was "a frustrating day" after his side were defeated 3-0 by bottom-of-the-table Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

Goals from Jordan Gibson, Nathaniel Ferris and Jamie Rea mean that Dean Smith's side are now level on points with Carrick Rangers, with Glenavon four points ahead in 10th position.

"We created an awful lot and just on the day we weren’t able to capitalise," McDonnell told BBC Sport NI.

"They’ve broken off a couple of mistakes and we have been really punished and punished hard.

“You lose the game, you lose it well in the end, but it was never a 3-0 game."

Glenavon are now four games without a victory after drawing with Carrick Rangers and Cliftonville and being beaten by Ballymena United and will look to get back to winning ways on Tuesday night when they face Armagh City in the League Cup.

“We have had an honest and frank conversation, and we will analyse what went wrong and what we need to do better ultimately which is putting the ball in the back of the net," McDonnell continued.

“The beauty of football is you get another chance and we get another chance on Tuesday to rewrite a lot of the wrongs from today."

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Coleraine manager Dean Shiels said he has noticed "a massive change in the mentality" as his side made it back-to-back victories after defeating Dungannon Swifts 4-1.

A hat-trick from Matthew Shevlin along with an own-goal from Danny Wallace secured the win for the home side, who move up to fifth in the table.

"We are delighted with the win," Shiels told BBC Sport NI.

"There seems to be a really good momentum with the performances and results at the moment. We knew it would be very difficult, Dungannon haven’t been conceding goals.

"I have noticed a massive change in the mentality of the players and that’s what’s getting us points at the moment," Shiels continued.

"We have loads of quality and there are loads of patterns we are working on at the moment but the main thing that wins games is mentality in both boxes and we had that today."

Striker Shevlin has now netted 10 times in this campaign and is the second highest goalscorer in the league.

"We have to play to Shevlin’s strengths, and I think you have seen that in the last two games with his goals against Glentoran and his three today," Shiels added.

"If we keep putting the ball in the box, there is no better striker in the league for being in the right place and having that desire and quality to score.

"He is a manager's dream to have in his team and I’m talking about when the other team has the ball.

"If people focus on Shevlin when the other team has he ball, his work rate is phenomenal."

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree said his side "imploded" and "conceded poor goals" during their 4-1 defeat against Coleraine at the Showgrounds.

James Knowles' effort cancelled out Matthew Shevlin's first half strike. However Danny Wallace's own-goal put the home side back in front before Shevlin netted twice more to complete his hat-trick and secure the three points for Dean Shiels' side.

"I thought up to an hour we were very good without creating an awful lot," McAree told BBC Sport NI.

“We didn’t do enough in the final third to create opportunities or to get shots off and asked enough questions. We have imploded a bit; we conceded poor goals.

“The second goal, the ball that comes into the box is maybe a lack of communication from a defender’s point of view, Wallace has put a foot out and it’s ended up in the back of the net.

"I think we can deal with the third one a little bit better as well and the fourth one, a wee bit of laziness has crept in by that stage, and we give a penalty kick away."

After an impressive start to the season, during which they were only beaten once in eight games, Dungannon have now suffered back-to-back defeats after being beaten by basement side Loughgall last weekend.

“Listen we have picked up our first back-to-back losses in our 15th game and I think that shows we have done extremely well," McAree added.

"We are not naive to think we are going to finish third or fourth at the end of the season. We are going to finish as high as we possibly can but to do that we have to get back on track as soon as we can."