Watch highlights as Larne and Linfield play out a 1-1 draw at Inver Park.

BBC Radio Ulster

You can hear reaction to the decision about Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used for the first time in Northern Ireland domestic football on Sportsound now.

Gerard Lawlor, David Jeffrey, Paul Leeman and Stephen Lowry will all give their thoughts.

We will bring you reaction here, but you can also listen to Sportsound by clicking 'Listen live' at the top of the page.

Image source, Getty Images

The Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) has confirmed that the upcoming BetMcLean Cup final between Linfield and Glentoran will see Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology used for the first time in Northern Ireland domestic football.

The decider between Belfast rivals Linfield and Glentoran will be played at Windsor Park on Sunday, 15 March at 15:00 GMT.

"This milestone represents a significant step forward for domestic football, aligning the league more closely with European competition standards," read a statement released by NIFL on Friday.

"While VAR will not replace the authority or judgement of the on-field referee, it will serve as a technological support mechanism aimed at enhancing decision-making accuracy, fairness, and transparency in key match incidents.

"The fixture will be officiated by Irish FA match officials on the field of play. However, VAR operations for this match will be managed by experienced referees from outside Northern Ireland using the Hawk-Eye system, as used in Fifa and Uefa competitions, ensuring technical proficiency during this introductory phase."

The statement explained that the cup final would "provide an ideal controlled environment to evaluate operational procedures, communication protocols, and overall integration of VAR into the domestic matchday framework".

The experience gained is set to inform any future decisions the governing body will make regarding potential broader implementation of VAR across NIFL competitions.

Read the full article here.

Image source, Inpho

Not only do we have all the action from today for you to enjoy but, tomorrow, we will have a live stream of Cliftonville v Linfield at Solitude.

Larne extended their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership but by just one point as they played out a 1-1 draw with Linfield at Inver Park.

Leroy Millar gave the leaders a first-half lead, but the Blues hit back after the break through Adam Frizzell with Millar later shown a red card.

The result means Gary Haveron's side, without a win in four league games, hold a three-point advantage on Coleraine with Linfield five behind.

Glentoran made ground on the leaders as Pat Hoban and Jordan Stewart hit two goals apiece in a 4-0 win at Cliftonville to move to within eight points of Larne with two games in hands.

Bottom-of-the-table Glenavon claimed a 2-2 draw away to Ballymena United with Kian Corbally giving the hosts the lead late in the first half before Paul McGovern levelled minutes later.

Nathaniel Ferris gave the Lurgan Blues the advantage in the second period, but they were pegged back by Sean Murray with the game ending level.

Catch up on the midweek action here, external.

A reminder of the exciting fixtures ahead today.

Image source, BBC Sport

Hello and welcome to our coverage of today's five Irish Premiership games.

For the first hour of our live page, we will bring you reaction to the decision that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) technology will be used for the first time in Northern Ireland domestic football in the BetMcLean Cup final.

Today, top of the table Larne will aim to end their four-game run without a win against Ballymena at the Showgrounds.

Carrick Rangers, who are unbeaten in eight league games, host Bangor as Dungannon welcome second in the table Coleraine.

Bottom of the table Glenavon face rivals Portadown at Mourneview Park.

In today's final game, at the Oval, Crusaders, who have won their last two league visits there, will attempt to end their challenging run.

Tomorrow we will have a stream of this weekend's final match, Cliftonville vs Linfield.

This afternoon we will have live text commentary and in-play clips of the matches as well as radio coverage on Sportsound with highlights and reaction to follow.

Thanks for joining us. Enjoy!