Irish League Football

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran midfielder Fuad Sule says he will probably wait to the end of the season to determine if he will stay at the east Belfast club.

The 28-year-old moved from Premiership champions Larne to the Oval in the summer of 2023.

Sule has been a key figure in Glentoran's resurgence this season and they are currently on an unbeaten run of 15 games.

However, his contract expires at the end of the season and negotiations are continuing over a possible new deal.

"It's been very well documented, the situation with me at the moment - the people there are looking after the negotiations," said Sule.

"All I can do is try my best to perform at the best of my ability on a Friday or Saturday. I feel like I'm doing that at the moment.

"I don't tend to let these kind of things kind of influence me in how I play. It just depends on what happens and I'll probably wait until the end of the season to see what happens."

Declan Devine's team have already won the Co Antrim Shield this season and they continued their excellent form with a 2-1 victory at Coleraine on Friday night.

"You can't build a house on poor foundations and I think the manager has laid the foundations for us to build on since the pre-season.

"You can see the results of that now coming to the fore on a weekly basis [and we're] more consistent."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Glentoran boss Declan Devine said he was "delighted" for his players as they started a run of three away games in eight days with victory over Coleraine.

The east Belfast outfit, who are now unbeaten in 15 games in all competitions, won 2-1 after a goal in each half from Jordan Jenkins and Kodi Lyons-Foster.

Matthew Shevlin took advantage of a rare mistake from Glens skipper Marcus Kane to force a nervy finish but the visitors held on for the remainder of injury-time.

Glentoran were victorious despite the absence of David Fisher meaning they started with two full-backs in Jonny Russell and Danny Amos down their left side and Jenkins as the only recognised centre forward in their squad.

As a busy period continues, they travel to Ballymena United on Tuesday in a rearranged fixture before heading to Solitude to meet Cliftonville on Friday night, the latter a game streamed live on the BBC Sport NI website and iPlayer.

"They're fit, they're resilient, we've a good strength in depth," said Devine of his squad.

"We will have to make changes as the week goes by but I've full trust in everybody. 

"We still have a few important players to come back. We've Paddy McClean and Aaron Wightman, so there's good players to come into the mix, top players.

"That will only strengthen us over the coming weeks."

Glentoran's latest success cut Linfield's lead at the top of the Irish Premiership to 17 points and Devine's men have a pair of games in hand over their 'Big Two' rivals.

"We just have to concentrate on ourselves," he added.

"There'll be a lot of twists and turns, there's still a split to come, but all we have to concern ourselves with is, analyse tonight, enjoy tonight, and then over the weekend prepare and recover for a tough game down in Ballymena."

Glentoran cut Linfield's lead at the top of the Irish Premiership to 17 points as goals from Jordan Jenkins and Kodi Lyons-Foster earned a 2-1 win over Coleraine.

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Image source, Inpho

Irish Premiership: Coleraine v Glentoran

Date: Friday, 14 February Venue: Coleraine Showgrounds Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

Coleraine boss Dean Shiels said that his side are "feeling good about themselves" after their recent upturn in league form.

The Bannsiders have picked up four points from their last two games and host high-flying Glentoran on Friday night in a game which will be live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

And Shiels believes there is more to come from his side as they look to put together a run of good results that can take them into the top six.

"There's a good feeling in the camp; I think over the last few weeks, performances have been pretty good and we're starting to get points on the board," he said.

"Every team bar Linfield and now Glentoran are searching for momentum, and we feel like we have some and we can build on that.

"We want to finish as high as we can, one or two wins gets you amongst the European spots and every club will be looking at that, not just us."

Coleraine strengthened significantly in the January window, bringing in Charles Dunne, Declan McManus, Levi Ives, Ronan Doherty and Paddy Burns.

Shiels was delighted with the acquisitions of the quintet and hopes their arrivals can propel the Bannsiders into European contention after an indifferent start to the campaign which sees them sitting eighth in the table.

"Declan McManus and Charles Dunne, we tried to sign in the summer," he explained.

"There's always been an admiration for Doherty and if Levi becomes available you bring him in. We're lucky that our long-term targets we have got in the door in January.

"We knew the first part of the season would be difficult and now it's about getting stability and improving."

Image source, Inpho

Irish Premiership: Coleraine v Glentoran

Date: Friday, 14 February Venue: Coleraine Showgrounds Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website

Glentoran boss Declan Devine believes midfielder Fuad Sule's impressive performances have been "overlooked" by everyone outside of the club.

The 28-year-old has been a key figure in the Glens' upturn in form this season, contributing to a County Antrim Shield success and helping them climb to second in the league table.

And Devine is hopeful that Sule will commit his future to the club beyond the end of the season when his contract expires.

"He has gone completely unnoticed outside of the club, he hasn't been in any team of the weeks or player of the month nominations, but anyone who comes to the Oval sees how important he is to us," he said.

"We know exactly what he brings, he said himself the conversations have been had [about a new contract] but he wants to discuss his future closer to the end of the season and that's fine because we trust him, and we are extremely lucky to have him."

Glentoran go into their meeting with Coleraine at the Showgrounds on Friday on a 14-game unbeaten streak in all competitions and Devine thinks a combination of factors have contributed to their good run.

"Players have been working hard, everyone is pulling in the one direction and there is real competition for places. It's also a testimony to the players for their appetite to keep going," he added.

The Glens suffered a 2-1 loss earlier in the season at the Showgrounds, a defeat that Devine admitted still "irks" him.

"We were leading 1-0 and we lost our concentration, didn't pick up from two set pieces and it cost us, and there was a lot of frustration after that game," he explained.

"There is no doubt Friday night is going to be a huge game. We know they have brought good players in, but we need to make sure we are right first and foremost and if we bring our A game, we give ourselves a chance."

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Carrick Rangers boss Stephen Baxter said Kyle Cherry's disallowed goal in their 3-0 defeat against Cliftonville was "three or four yards over the line".

Cherry thought he had cancelled out Rory Hale's opener after his effort bounced on the line before it was gathered by Reds goalkeeper Lewis Ridd.

Referee Jamie Robinson and his assistant ruled the goal out as they believed the ball didn't fully cross the line, a decision that frustrated Baxter, as goals from Alex Parsons and Stephen McGuinness eased Cliftonville to victory.

"I thought we competed in the game pretty well, there was a lot of good stuff, we'll be disappointed we didn't get the goal that was three or four yards over the line," he told BBC Sport NI.

"When the Cliftonville players are telling you it is over the line, our players thought it was over the line as did the 100 Carrick fans behind the goal, but the only opinion that matters is the linesman, who didn't think it was in, so no fuss from me.

"Make no mistake Cliftonville, particularly in the last 20 minutes were well on top and they scored a couple of good goals, I thought they were very good."

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Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton praised the impact of Australian winger Alex Parsons as he scored in the Reds' 3-0 win against Carrick Rangers.

Parsons opened his account for the club on his first start when he rifled home a second in the first half after Rory Hale had broke the deadlock in the first half.

Stephen McGuinness added a late third for the Reds and Magilton was pleased by what he saw from Parsons, who arrived from Brisbane Roar in January.

"It was a great finish he showed real glimpses tonight of his quality and had one or two other opportunities," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"He's only really in the door but we thought it was time to get him on the pitch and he got 70 minutes which will stand him in good stead and hopefully that goal will get him off to a flying start."

The victory halted a run of three games without a win in the league for the Reds and moves them up to sixth in the table.

"We know Carrick will always carry a massive threat and they did, but I thought we controlled large parts of the game and took our goals really well," he added.

Watch the highlights as Cliftonville ease to a comfortable 3-0 win against Carrick Rangers at Solitude.

Read the report here.

Watch as Larne striker Andy Ryan is sent off for a tackle on Kyle McClean in Larne's 1-0 defeat against leaders Linfield.

Read more here.

Larne boss Gary Haveron said that the club have already launched an appeal against the red card shown to Andy Ryan in their 1-0 loss against Linfield.

Ryan was controversially dismissed by referee Shane Andrews before half-time for a challenge on Kyle McClean.

Haveron also believed that the officials missed a foul on Ryan Nolan in the build-up to Kieran Offord scoring the winner for the Blues.

"I think some of the big decisions did go against us and we have launched an appeal which is a clear indication of how we feel about it," he said.

"The decisions made change the outcome of the game. I felt it was a clear and obvious foul for the goal, you can see Offord steps across the line of the defender, he bumps him [Nolan] and then Offord scores from it."

The Larne boss has called for an improvement across the board from officials in the league.

"I understand it is an incredibly difficult job, but with the amount of money the clubs are paying for referees, it is a hell of an expense, so you expect a certain standard."

The defeat against the Blues left the back-to-back Irish Premiership champions with a mountain to climb in their quest for third successive Gibson Cup.

They are now 25 points behind leaders Linfield, with five games in hand, but Haveron insists they will keep pushing to at least seal European qualification

"It is not over, so until it is we will keep fighting for what we want."

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Linfield boss David Healy said beating 10-man Larne at Windsor Park was "crucial" to their hopes of winning the Irish Premiership title.

In a game of few chances, Kieran Offord scored the winner with his first goal for the Blues to move them 20 points clear of nearest challengers Glentoran, who have three games in hand.

And despite his dissatisfaction with their performance, Healy was pleased that they were able to extend the gap between them and champions Larne to 25 points, albeit the Inver side have five games in hand.

"Delighted with the three points, the red card was the game changing moment. I don't think there was too much in the game," he told BBC Sport NI.

"To win the game of this magnitude is crucial at this stage. We spoke about playing on the front foot and wanting to make an impression. Did we do that? We eventually got there."

The Blues boss said it was "not my decision" when asked his view on Ryan's red card for a challenge on Kyle McClean.

He praised the contribution of Offord, who has now scored 11 Irish Premiership goals this season, after netting 10 during his loan spell at Crusaders.

"We won it with a moment of Kieran switching on. He has scored so many of those goals at Crusaders in and around the six-yard box and that is what I enjoy about his goal tonight," Healy added.

"I thought he could have been better, but he is only new. He is a huge talent, and he has energy to burn."

Despite their substantial lead, Healy is keen to keep his players grounded as they look to win the Gibson Cup for the first time since the 2021-2022 season.

"We keep them focused by telling them there are 10 games left. There are 30 points up for grabs and we need to maximise the number of points we get.

"We're in a strong position; it moves us a bit further away [from Larne] which is the main thing tonight."

Watch highlights as Kieran Offord opens his account for Linfield with a cool finish to help them beat 10-man Larne 1-0 at Windsor Park.

Read the report here.

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Linfield boss David Healy says the Premiership leaders have to improve for Tuesday night's meeting with champions Larne at Windsor Park.

Healy was disappointed with his side's display in the 2-2 away draw against Ballymena United on Friday night.

The Blues sit 22 points clear of Larne although the Inver Reds have five games in hand going into a match which will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

"We're at home and we want to beat Larne - we'll need to be better that's for sure," said Healy.

"Two good teams will go head-to-head and go at it. We know the importance of it and there's a lot still to play for.

"The message is - be better than we were [at Ballymena], improve on some of the things we weren't so good at, go and try to force yourselves on Larne and make it a good game."

Larne failed to capitalise on Linfield dropping points when they lost 1-0 to Crusaders at Inver Park a day later.

It was a big blow to their hopes of a third straight title but manager Gary Haveron is now focusing on narrowing the gap to the pacesetters.

"You've got to look forward going to Windsor, it's another challenge and another three points that's up for grabs.

"It's a big ask - I was at their game on Friday night and they were missing a few players.

"We'll go there, like we do every game and prepare as best we can to get three points out of the match."