Irish League Football

Image source, Presseye

The BetMcLean Cup semi-final between Linfield and Ballymena United at Windsor Park has been rescheduled for Wednesday 28 January because of an amber weather warning for strong winds.

The last-four tie had been scheduled to take place on Tuesday 27 January, but has been put back 24 hours because of the weather alert which takes effect from 05:00 GMT until 21:00 on Tuesday.

The game will kick-off at 19:45 GMT.

A statement released by NIFL on Monday afternoon explained that the decision to switch the game to Wednesday had been made "in accordance with NIFL protocols and with the agreement of both clubs".

The other semi-final in this year's competition will also be played on Wednesday evening, as originally scheduled, with Glentoran facing Coleraine at the Oval for a place in this year's final on 22 March.

Linfield are also scheduled to host Ballymena in an Irish Premiership fixture on Saturday.

The Irish Cup fifth round tie between Loughgall and Knockbreda, which was scheduled for Tuesday, has also been impacted and will now be played on Tuesday, 3 February.

Image source, Glentoran FC

Glentoran have signed midfielder Aaron McEneff from Shamrock Rovers for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old was part of two Premier Division winning squads and enjoyed two FAI Cup triumphs during two spells at Shamrock Rovers.

McEneff also played for Derry City, scoring 25 goals in 102 appearances for the Candystripes.

The versatile midfielder's brother, Jordan, plays for Larne and has made 15 league appearances for the Irish Premiership leaders this season.

"For me, it feels like the perfect fresh start," McEneff said after the announcement.

"Once I spoke with Declan [Devine] and Paddy [McCourt] and heard about the standards they expect every day and where they believe this club is going, it was something I couldn't say no to.

"The Irish Premiership is a league that's going from strength to strength and it is one I'm really looking forward to competing in. This team has huge potential, but it only matters if you deliver. I've come here to win, nothing else. I can't wait to get in, meet everyone properly and get started."

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran's Irish Premiership game with Cliftonville which was to be played on Sunday afternoon has been postponed because of a waterlogged pitch.

The game was set for a 14:00 GMT kick-off and was to be shown live across BBC Northern Ireland but, after heavy rain in Belfast on Saturday and Sunday morning, the surface at the Oval failed a pitch inspection at 09:00.

A Glentoran statement said: "A new date for the match will be confirmed in due course and we will communicate updated arrangements to supporters as soon as they are available."

It is the second time a fixture between the pair has fallen victim to the weather this season. In October, an Irish Premiership meeting at Solitude was postponed because of Storm Amy.

Image source, Press Eye

Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says Adam Lecky "has brought a breath of fresh air" to his side after scoring four goals in a week.

Lecky netted a hat-trick against Dungannon Swifts to continue Carrick's impressive week after scoring the equaliser against Cliftonville in the County Antrim Shield final, which they went on to lift for the first time in 33 years.

The 5-1 victory over Dungannon means that Baxter's side move up to ninth position in the Irish Premiership and 14 points clear of bottom-of-the-table Glenavon.

"Lecky was sensational," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"He is a quality guy, not just a quality footballer. He has brought a breath of fresh air into the dressing room.

"He has helped Danny [Gibson] and Paul [Heatley] with the link-up play and with the quality he brings. He is someone that they can work with, link off and he brings quality to the team."

After being without a victory in nine Irish Premiership fixtures, Carrick have now scored at least four goals in their past two league matches, are unbeaten in five games and also defeated Queen's University by 5-1 in the Irish Cup fifth round.

However, despite their good run of form and their County Antrim Shield success, Baxter added he will not rest on his laurels.

"It wasn't that long ago that I was speaking after a 7-0 defeat [against Glentoran] and that was difficult for us," Baxter continued.

"There are a lot of good things going on, but you never rest on your laurels. A 7-0 defeat could be around the corner for any of us!

"We need to keep playing and getting on with it and we'll see where it takes us."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says his side are "hurting" after their 5-1 loss against Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue.

Goals from Joe Crowe, Paul Heatley and Adam Lecky gave the home side a comfortable lead at the break.

Lecky netted again after the restart before substitute Eoghan Liggett grabbed a consolation goal for Dungannon. Striker Lecky then completed his hat-trick in the final 10 minutes of the match.

"When we started the game, we had five opportunities very early on and we didn't take any of them," McAree told BBC Sport NI

"After that it just seemed like every time the ball went into our box, we were going to concede. It is very unlike us.

"We are hurting and I am hurting. It is disappointing and we are humbled."

The result is the second match this season that Dungannon have lost by a four-goal margin after losing 4-0 at the Coleraine Showgrounds in October.

However, it is just their second defeat in their last eight league games with Rodney McAree's side now three points behind Linfield in fourth.

The result has differing implications to the league standings of the sides with Stephen Baxter's outfit moving up to ninth position from 11th.

"We don't want to dwell on it, but we have to learn from it. We have to know that it is unacceptable and we have to hurt," McAree continued.

"I hope the players, by the time they get home, are still hurting and I hope they are hurting throughout the week and hope they are looking forward to trying to make things right.

"They need to show the attitude and desire needed to try push this club forward and maintain where we are in the league."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Linfield manager David Healy says his side "were always doing enough to win" during their 1-0 victory against Crusaders at Seaview.

The Blues scored the only goal of the game after just eight minutes when Matthew Fitzpatrick fired past Musa Dibaga at the near post for his 10th league goal of the campaign.

The visitors dominated and had multiple chances to extend their lead, with their best opportunity just before half-time when Crusaders stopper Dibaga denied Alex Gorrin's penalty.

"Coming in at half-time we were disappointed to not have extended our lead," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"There was a little bit of a frustration and an understanding that Crusaders would come out and they changed the shape a little bit.

"They were always going to have a little spell, but it wasn't much. Credit to our players today, I thought some of the play was good."

The result means the Blues move to within three points of third-placed Glentoran in the Irish Premiership standings.

It also just the third win on the road this season for David Healy's side in the league, with both other victories having come at Clandeboye Park.

"That is the only downside of today, not winning the game more decisively," Healy continued.

"I speak to Declan Caddell quite a lot and he has his own challenges with the youthful nature of the squad and some of his more experienced players not being available to him.

"Credit to Crusaders, they had a go in the second half, but I thought we were always doing enough to win the game."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell says his side "didn't create as many opportunities as needed" during their 1-0 loss against Linfield at Seaview.

It was a poor start to the game for the Crues, who conceded in the opening 10 minutes when Matthew Fitzpatrick fired home.

Linfield then pushed for a more comfortable lead with Alex Gorrin's spot-kick denied by Musa Dibaga and Crusaders unable to find a leveller in the second half.

"I don't think we were ourselves at all today, but you can't give Linfield a foothold in the game eight minutes in," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"Another poor goal on our behalf and listen, the conditions were tough for both teams with a strong wind down the pitch.

"Ultimately, we didn't do enough. The quality wasn't there today. I can't fault the work rate and ethic, but we didn't look ourselves on the ball and didn't create as many opportunities as needed and as I would like."

It has been a challenging week for the north Belfast side with club captain Jarlath O'Rourke and Ross Clarke signing for Glentoran.

Results elsewhere mean that Crusaders now drop to 11th in the Irish Premiership table with Caddell adding that this season has been "a rollercoaster" so far.

"At the start of the year with the six-eight senior players that are available to you, you try to build the starting XI around that," Caddell continued.

"We have a lot of injuries and just lost two, we lack a bit of experience. However, with those [O'Rourke and Clarke] going, it gives me the ability to bring one or two in, which we need.

"We are a young side and that is probably why this season hasn't been what we expected, it has been a rollercoaster."

The Irish Premiership match between Ballymena United and Portadown has been postponed following a Saturday morning pitch inspection.

The game was called off after the playing surface at the Showgrounds was examined at 11:00 GMT.

Heavy rain over recent days made the pitch unplayable.

It is the fourth time that a scheduled match has been postponed at the Warden Street venue this month.

The league fixture against Glenavon fell victim of the weather on 3 January, plus two attempts to play an Irish Cup fifth round tie against Larne, on 10 and 20 January, also proved unsuccessful.

The cup tie has been rearranged for Tuesday 3 February and the Premiership match with the Lurgan Blues rescheduled for Tuesday 24 February.

Saturday's other two top flight games between Carrick Rangers and Dungannon Swifts at Taylors Avenue and Crusaders and Linfield at Seaview are set to go ahead as planned.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side "weren't themselves" during their 2-0 victory over Glenavon at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

The home side broke the deadlock midway through the opening half through leading scorer Joel Cooper.

Glenavon started the second half the better side, but it was the Bannsiders who scored again when substitute Jamie McGonigle found the back of the net.

"We weren't ourselves if I am being honest. A lot of credit has to go to the opposition and how they were set up," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"Glenavon caused us problems. We didn't give up any chances as such, but we gave up territory, they had good possession and passed the ball really well. Most of our opportunities came from counter-attacks.

"I have complained before that we haven't gotten points when we haven't played well and we have gotten three points tonight when we haven't been ourselves, so we will take it and move on."

The Lurgan Blues manager Michael O'Connor also praised his side's performance but added that his team need to start scoring goals to avoid relegation.

O'Connor's outfit sit bottom of the table and are 11 points adrift of Carrick Rangers in eleventh.

"To be fair to the boys, going 1-0 down, two of three months ago they would have crumbled and went two of three down and we didn't and stayed in the game," O'Connor said.

"For 20 minutes in the second half I thought we were the better team without creating chances.

"Ruaidhri had to make some changes to accommodate us, which he doesn't do often. If you see the opposition doing that, you know the boys are doing everything and I can't ask for much more from the boys, apart from putting the ball into the back of the net."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Larne manager Gary Haveron praised "ruthless" Andy Ryan after his side's 2-1 victory over 10-man Bangor at Inver Park, during which the striker netted twice.

Ryan was making his first start of the season following a long-term knee injury and netted twice in the first half against the Seasiders.

Bangor did pull a goal back through substitute Ben Cushnie shortly after the restart, but they couldn't find an equaliser.

"We always knew he was coming back and how key he would be for the second part of the season," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

"That is what Andy Ryan does, he is absolutely ruthless when he gets into the box.

"He is a clever striker and scores all sorts of goals. He is so good and I was delighted to see him get his goals tonight."

The result means that the Inver Reds remain eight points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership with a game in hand.

However, Haveron was frustrated with the goal that his side conceded in the second half.

"It was really sloppy the goal we conceded," he continued.

"Bangor came out the second half and had a bit of a go.

"Ben Cushnie has done well for the goal but is it really poor from our perspective, it has gone right through the middle of us which is so uncharacteristic"

Bangor manager Lee Feeney added that his side "were never going to get a fairytale story" against the league leaders.

"It was boys against men," Feeney said.

"I don't think we ever had a chance when we are coming here on a Friday night. Part time players against a proper good full-time team, but we tried to give it our best go."

Image source, Crusaders FC

Crusaders have signed winger Thomas Maguire on loan from Dungannon Swifts until the end of the season.

The 26-year-old joined the Swifts from Larne in 2023 and was placed on the transfer list earlier in the week.

During his time at Rodney McAree's side, he made 75 Premiership appearances and scored five goals.

Maguire previously spent time on the books of Cliftonville and Warrenpoint Town and has also played in America.

The winger is Declan Caddell's second January signing following defender Cameron Bruce joining the club on a two-and-a-half-year deal from Airdrieonians.

The announcement also comes following the departures of club captain Jarlath O'Rourke and Ross Clarke to Glentoran.

Image source, Pacemaker

Glentoran have completed a double swoop from Crusaders for Jarlath O'Rourke and Ross Clarke.

O'Rourke spent six years at Seaview following a move from Dungannon Swifts in 2019.

The 30-year-old defender made 246 appearances for the north Belfast club including 24 this season when he served as team captain.

"Even before getting out on the pitch with the lads, you can sense the standards around the place," O'Rourke said after the move was confirmed.

"It's a strong group, competitive in the right way and there's a real hunger within the squad to achieve something together."

Midfielder Clarke, 32, became the second player to swap Seaview for the Oval on Thursday.

The midfielder made 257 for the Crues since his arrival from Linfield in 2018, scoring 34 goals and claiming three Irish Cup winners medals in the process, but makes the move across the city to strengthen the right side of Glentoran's midfield.

"The opportunity to play full-time was one I couldn't turn down," Clarke said.

"Glentoran is a massive club with big expectations and you can see immediately the standards and professionalism around the place.

"It's a club with a real history and I'm proud to be pulling on the Glentoran jersey. I'll give everything I've got to make a success of my time here and do my bit for the team."

Image source, Inpho

Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says Glenavon represent "a different proposition now" to earlier in the season as the sides prepare to meet in Friday night's Irish Premiership game, which will be broadcast live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Coleraine sit second in the table, eight points behind leaders Larne, before their encounter with the Lurgan Blues at Ballycastle Road.

Glenavon remain rooted to the bottom, 11 points adrift of 11th-placed Carrick Rangers, despite notable home wins over Belfast sides Glentoran and Linfield in recent months.

The Bannsiders ran out 2-1 winners when the sides met in the league at Mourneview Park in August, with Higgins' team again getting the better of the Lurgan Blues in the reverse fixture in early November, this time on an emphatic 5-1 scoreline.

"He [Michael] has done a good job since he went in there. They made life very difficult for Glentoran at the weekend [losing 2-1], there was very little in that match.

"And they've recruited well – they've signed good players, they're now a different proposition to what they were earlier in the season

"It's an extremely dangerous game and one that we have to be fully focused on. If we don't approach it mentally in the right manner then you can slip up.

"But I hope we now have a group of players that are extremely professional and are ready to go."

Some of the managers in charge of part-time Premiership clubs have indicated that they believe switching games from Saturdays to Friday nights provides an advantage to their full-time counterparts.

Higgins has some sympathy with this argument but sees a range of benefits of playing some matches on a Friday evening.

"From speaking to people around the club here, financially, for the club, it seems to be better [Friday night games].

"There are positives and negatives to it but you look at the amount of people who play in Saturday leagues who are missing out coming here on a Saturday.

"From a negative point of view we would have a session less to prepare than what we would if it was a Saturday game, so you're losing that advantage.

"Instead of training four or five times you're training three or four times. So there's pros and cons to it.

"In my opinion, and not everyone will agree with my opinion, there's many reasons why it's a good thing and one or two why it's not."

Image source, Inpho

Irish Premiership leaders Larne have signed midfielder Ronan Doherty from title rivals Coleraine for an undisclosed fee.

The 30-year-old joined Coleraine from Cliftonville in January 2025 and also has top-flight experience with Institute.

It is the first January arrival for the Inver Park side, who hold an eight-point lead over the Bannsiders and have a game in hand.

Larne manager Gary Haveron said he was "absolutely delighted" to acquire the services of Doherty.

"Ronan is a player I've admired for some time and I think he is a really fantastic addition," said Haveron.

"Having met with him recently I not only think he's a great player, but a great lad and he fits with what we want in the people we bring into the group."

Doherty said that Larne are "the best team in the league at the minute" and he was delighted to side.

"They're top of the league for a reason and what more could you want to play for the number one?," he said.

"Larne have also won two of the last three league titles and become a massive club, so it's not a tough decision at all to come here.

"Inver Park was a place I hated to come to, because you so rarely got anything from the game. I want to play my part in helping to keep it that way."

Meanwhile, County Antrim Shield winners Carrick Rangers have announced the signing of former Stoke City forward Rakealan Jeffers, known as Keke, on a short term deal until the end of the season.

"I am excited to be here and can't wait to get started," 20-year-old Keke said.

"The atmosphere the Carrick fans brought to the final was amazing, I'm really looking forward to playing for the Amber Army."