Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker

Portadown forward Ahu Obhakhan says the physical part of his game has improved since he began playing in Irish Premiership following his summer move.

The former Drogheda and Institute player has scored four league goals to date to help the Ports win four and draw three of their top flight matches since being promoted as Championship winners.

"The physical part of my game probably wasn't the strongest part of my game until I came up here," said the 27-year-old.

"Some games it's a fight up there so it's just being in the right mindset to hold up the ball, take some hits and then sometimes leave a little something back as well.

"I'd say the best part of my game is linking up the play, bringing wingers into the game so if I can dominate the centre-backs I can start to do that. To get to that point you have to be physical."

Obhakhan says he is "enjoying every moment" of his time with the Shamrock Park club.

"As a striker when you're scoring goals you can't help but enjoy it.

"Niall [Currie, Portadown manager] played a big part in me joining Portadown.

"He expressed a lot of trust in me, believing I was a player who could lead the line for him and I've tried my best to repay that faith."

Portadown host Larne in their next Irish Premiership fixture on Sunday.

Image source, BBC Sport

Coleraine v Glentoran (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

The Glens are in a good place right now and have improved a lot in recent weeks while Dean Shiels' side are still in a bit of a transition.

I think it’ll be a tight one but the visitors will just nick it.

Prediction: 2-1 Glentoran

Crusaders v Ballymena United (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

Ballymena have been strong this season and Jim Ervin has them well organised and hard to break down. Crusaders have pulled together a couple good results so this will be a tight game at Seaview.

Prediction: 1-1

Dungannon Swifts v Loughgall (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

Rodney McAree's side are in a really good place, playing with a load of confidence and with a few smashing young players.

It's hard to see how Loughgall can get something out of this one.

Prediction: 2-1 Dungannon

Glenavon v Carrick Rangers (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

We've got two teams who are both in decent form right now.

Stephen Baxter has given Carrick a lift since coming in and Glenavon have steadied the ship in recent weeks.

Another close one for me!

Prediction: 2-2

Linfield v Cliftonville (Saturday, 15:00 BST, coverage on Sportsound)

Going to Windsor is always difficult. Cliftonville will want to get kicking on after beating Coleraine on Tuesday, but it's hard to see past David Healy's side in this one.

Prediction: 2-1 Linfield

Portadown v Larne (Sunday, 14:00 BST)

We welcome the champions with optimism and excitement. They’ve just come off the back of a tough European game and if we’re right we can give them a competitive match.

Prediction: N/A (We'll let him off this one!)

Don't forget to join Portadown manager Niall Currie with Michael McNamee on this weekend's Sportsound programme on BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website from 14:00 BST on Saturday.

Mark Simpson
BBC News NI correspondent

Thousands of football fans from Larne and Dublin have started arriving in Belfast for this evening's Europa Conference League match at Windsor Park.

In total, more than 5,000 supporters of Larne FC and Shamrock Rovers are expected in the city for the all-island encounter.

The game brings together the reigning Irish Premiership champions and the defending League of Ireland Premier Division champions.

Among the fans to arrive in Belfast at lunchtime from Dublin were Shamrock Rovers fans Tiernan Stynes, Cian Hassett and Josh Ward.

Cian said: “We’re just here to watch the football and enjoy ourselves. I’m confident of a 2-1 win.”

His friend Josh said: “We’re here to take the three points for a win and then enjoy the journey back down the road from Belfast to Dublin.”

There is heavier traffic than usual in Belfast due to the game, particularly around the Donegall Road and Boucher Road areas.

Police warned motorists in advance that there could be disruption and delays, especially in the area around Boucher Road.

The match is being played in Belfast as Larne’s stadium, Inver Park, is not big enough to host Uefa Conference League matches.

Rovers fans have been arriving in Belfast since early morning by bus, train and car, plus coaches hired by supporters’ clubs.

Kick-off at Windsor Park is 17:45 BST.

Image source, Inpho

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton described his side's 2-1 Irish Premiership home success over Coleraine as an "important" win as they secured a first victory in six games.

The Reds went into Tuesday's game having dropped to the bottom half of the table after a five-game winless run which included defeats by Ballymena United, Larne and Carrick Rangers.

Joe Gormley's two goals - a first-half penalty and 66th-minute strike - earned Magilton's side the victory that moved them up to fifth spot in the table.

"Tonight was important for us. It was the game in hand if you like. We had to produce," said the Cliftonville boss.

Magilton acknowledged that his side's efforts in recent weeks had been "under par" but was delighted with the return to form, adding that his players had performed "really well".

The Reds won despite being without defender Shaun Leppard, who Magilton says is likely to undergo surgery later this week after suffering a broken fibula and dislocated ankle which will rule him out for the remainder of this season.

Coleraine boss Dean Shiels felt his side should have taken at least a point, which would have built on the momentum of Saturday's win over high-flying derby rivals Ballymena United.

"I thought the lads were brilliant. I thought we came here and dominated large parts of the game and created chances," said the Coleraine boss.

"It’s hard to accept coming away with nothing even though Solitude is always tough."

Shiels described Cliftonville's penalty as a "gift" after Graham Kelly was slow to clear and then clearly clipped Rory Hale and also felt Gormley's second goal came after a fortunate ricochet.

"That’s just a wee bit of bad luck. We didn’t get that luck around the box. We missed big chances in big moments," added Shiels of opportunities which included Matthew Shevlin heading over a glorious late chance.

Manchester United legend Patrice Evra is visiting Larne FC in the build-up to their Uefa Conference League contest with Shamrock Rovers on Thursday night and the Irish Premiership champions' newest fan says he has not made the journey to watch the Inver Reds lose.

Read more.

Image source, Inpho

Larne manager Tiernan Lynch believes that Saturday's 1-1 draw with Crusaders was "two points dropped" but is confident the goals will come.

After a goalless first half, Kieran Offord capitalised on an error from Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson to open the scoring.

The reigning Irish Premiership champions hit back when Benji Magee netted with 10 minutes to play.

"It's definitely two [points] dropped from our end," Lynch said.

"It's really frustrating because I thought we were superb today. It was a really dominant performance and we played some really good football.

"One of the critical things was we didn't put the ball in the net.

"I thought we created a lot of good chances but just didn't finish them. That's part and parcel of it.

"We understand now that we're going through a wee period where we aren't scoring free-flowing goals, but I've no doubt that they'll come."

The draw leaves Larne 11 points behind leaders Linfield, however Lynch's side have three games in hand due to a backlog of fixtures with their historic Uefa Conference League qualification.

After defeat in Norway by Molde, Larne are back in European action on Thursday when they taken on League of Ireland title challengers Shamrock Rovers at Windsor Park in Belfast.

Image source, Inpho

Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin says he wants his players to respond after their eight-game unbeaten run came to an end against Coleraine.

Rhyss Campbell scored the winning goal in the second half as the Bannsiders picked up their first win in three matches.

Ballymena are still second in the table despite the defeat and Ervin was full of praise for a team who were in a relegation fight last season.

"The boys have been absolutely incredible for the run that we have been on," said Ervin.

"We knew at some stage that it would come to an end. Credit to our boys for the run that we have been on, but it's now all about the reaction.

"It's now all about us bouncing back."

Ervin felt there "wasn't much in the game" and said the derby was "flat".

"There was a lot of direct long balls from both sides.

"It probably wasn't a great game for the spectators.

"I'm not going to dig the boys out because the run they have been on has been incredible.

"I'll back them 100% but it's all about responding next Saturday [away to Crusaders]."

Image source, Inpho

Coleraine manager Dean Shiels says his side were in "full control" of their 1-0 derby win away to Ballymena United.

Rhyss Campbell scored the only goal of the game as the Bannsiders ended a run of three consecutive defeats.

"We started the game brightly and had loads of good moments. We dominated territory and dominated possession," Shiels said.

"There is always the worry when it's still 0-0 at half-time that we didn't capitalise on the pressure.

"We were street-wise in how we were able to see out the game and how to get the goal."

Shiels was pleased with the character from his side after a difficult run of form, against a Ballymena side who were flying at the top of the table after eight wins in a row.

"I'm proud of the players. For Coleraine, there is no better place to win than Ballymena away.

"The crowd were fantastic and we thoroughly deserved the win.

"It was a difficult period in terms of the three games we lost in a row. We didn't panic and we remained calm.

"We have a good changing room of young boys who are learning."