Irish League Football

Stephen Alexander
BBC Sport NI contributor

Image source, Press Eye

Matthew Fitzpatrick scored a hat-trick as Linfield cruised to a 3-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts in the Irish Premiership's European play-off final.

The talismanic striker took his tally for the season to 24 goals as the Blues secured a place in the first qualifying round of next season's Uefa Conference League.

Linfield were worthy winners against beaten Irish Cup finalists Dungannon, for whom a third play-off game in the space of seven days proved too big a hurdle to overcome.

Victory saw Linfield add the revamped Ulster Cup trophy - introduced this season for the play-off winners - to the League Cup they won during the regular campaign.

Hat-trick hero Fitzpatrick stars for Blues

In a quiet opening, the first chance fell to Linfield as Adam Frizzell's cross from the left found Kirk Millar at the back post but the winger was too far from goal to get enough power in his header to trouble Declan Dunne.

Dungannon hit the woodwork with their first attack when Corey Smith cut in from the left flank and his shot bounced once and clipped the outside of the post with goalkeeper Chris Johns appearing to have the danger covered.

Linfield took the lead in the 14th minute when Kyle McClean's pass sent Frizzell clear in the left-hand channel and his low cross was converted from close range by the in-rushing Fitzpatrick.

The home side almost doubled their advantage inside the opening 20 minutes when Isaac Baird dispossessed Gael Bigirimana in midfield before playing in Fitzpatrick, but Swifts goalkeeper Dunne dived to his right to push the striker's effort away.

Linfield had the ball in the net again before the half hour mark but Darragh Leahy's strike was ruled out for a foul by Baird on Paul Doyle earlier in the move.

Dunne then produced a vital double save just before the interval, first denying Millar's shot and then getting up quickly to thwart Fitzpatrick's follow-up effort.

Dungannon had an early opening in the second period as Bigirimana set up Leo Alves, but he could only poke a left-footed effort wide of the post.

It was Linfield's turn to hit the framework of the goal eight minutes into the second period as Millar's cross from the right found McClean but he could only force his shot against the inside of the near post.

As the weather conditions worsened, Fitzpatrick then saw a shot pushed away by Dunne as Linfield chased a decisive second goal.

It duly arrived on 64 minutes when Millar played a through ball which Dungannon defender Danny Wallace was unable to cut out, leaving Fitzpatrick to race clear before knocking the ball through the legs of the advancing Dunne and then rolling the ball into the unguarded net.

Fitzpatrick completed his hat-trick with 20 minutes remaining as he converted from close range from Ethan McGee's low cross from the right wing.

Dungannon pulled a consolation goal back with three minutes left when Kobei Moore latched on to James Knowles' through ball to force a shot home but it was never going to affect the outcome of the game.

Image source, Pacemaker

Full-back Danny Amos is among five players that will leave Glentoran this summer upon the expiry of their contracts.

Amos joins Aaron Wightman, Dylan Connolly Callan Farley and Ciaran Coll in departing the east Belfast side.

The 26-year-old joined the Glens in 2024 and made 81 appearances for the club, scoring five goals.

The club also confirmed that midfielder Charlie Lindsay and striker Nathaniel Ferris, who both spent the second half of the campaign on loan at relegated Glenavon, have been placed on the transfer list.

Meanwhile, centre-back MJ Kamson-Kamara has returned to Lincoln City following the conclusion of his season-long loan spell with Declan Devine's side.

"This is never the easiest part of being a football manager because you build relationships with players during your time together, but as a manager you have to make difficult decisions for the benefit of the football club," Devine said.

"I want to thank every one of these lads for their efforts, commitment and professionalism during their time at Glentoran. They've all contributed positively and have been a valued part of the dressing room. On behalf of everyone at the club, I'd like to wish them every success in the next stage of their careers.

"There will be further updates regarding the playing squad in the weeks ahead as we continue to strengthen the group ahead of our UEFA Conference League qualifying campaign and the challenge of competing for domestic honours next season."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Pacemaker Press

The Northern Ireland Football League [NIFL] has confirmed that the video assistant referee [VAR] will not be used during the European play-off final at Windsor Park.

VAR was used for the first time in Northern Irish domestic football during the BetMcLean Cup final between Linfield and Glentoran in March with the introduction met with a mixed response from clubs and fanbases.

Football Video Support [FVS] had been considered as an alternative for the Hawk-Eye system used earlier in the year, but NIFL have now confirmed that the clubs involved have declined the use of the technology.

Cliftonville face Dungannon Swifts in Saturday's European play-off semi-final [18:00 BST] with the winner set to play BetMcLean Cup winners Linfield in Tuesday's decider at Windsor Park [19:45 BST].

The victors of the play-off will secure the Irish Premiership's final spot in the Uefa Conference League qualifiers.

"Following consultation and discussions with participating clubs, the majority chose not to use the FVS system, a position the league was happy to accept," a NIFL statement read.

FVS has been trialled in Italy, Malta and Spain and allows referees to review decisions made in real time with managers given two challenges per game.

Managers would be allowed to appeal 'clear and obvious errors' which would include decisions around goals, penalties and straight red cards.

Once a request for a review is made, the referee would view the incident on a monitor and must make the decision without advice from operators. If the appeal is deemed correct, the manager keeps their two challenges.

Image source, Inpho

Stephen Baxter said referee Shane Andrews' decision to send off Carrick Rangers goalkeeper Nathan Gartside in their European play-off defeat at Dungannon Swifts was "completely wrong".

With the visitors already trailing to Leo Alves' 21st minute free-kick, they were reduced to 10 men just after the half-hour mark as Gartside was adjudged to have handled the ball outside his box as the keeper cut out a pass.

Despite the setback, Luke McCullough drew Carrick level in the 38th minute, but second-half goals from Caolan Marron and Kealan Dillon secured the Swifts' place in Saturday's semi-final against Cliftonville at the expense of Baxter's side.

"The television will reveal that the red card should never have stood, the referee's got that completely wrong," said the Carrick boss.

"We should also have had a penalty in the first five minutes and he doesn't give it.

"It's difficult whenever you don't get these decisions going for you. It's hard enough to play 11 men when you're away from home but if you have to play for an hour with 10 it makes it all the more difficult.

"The referees clearly need help with making big key decisions, particularly in big games. I don't mind VAR, provided it comes in and it's used in the right manner as regards to all the competitions and everybody knows the rules and how it's all set up. All of those things are important."

Despite missing out on a potential European spot, Baxter is pleased with the progress his side have made this season as they ended their 33-year wait for a trophy by lifting the County Antrim Shield.

"I'm thrilled at the improvement," he added.

"There's lots of stuff going on behind the scenes that we've been working on for ages. It all just doesn't happen overnight. You're working hard to make these things happen.

"But it's disappointing because you put an awful lot of work into it all year round to get yourself into this position and to get done on a few decisions is never good."

Image source, Inpho

Dungannon Swifts boss Rodney McAree praised his side's "character" and "professionalism" after they shrugged off their cup woes to progress to the Irish Premiership European play-off semi-final.

Just four days on from losing the Irish Cup final to Coleraine, the Swifts beat 10-man Carrick Rangers 3-1 at Stangmore Park to set up a semi-final against Cliftonville at Solitude on Saturday.

Leo Alves put the hosts in front with a fine free-kick, and while Carrick hit back through Luke McCullough after losing goalkeeper Nathan Gartside to a red card, goals from Caolan Marron and Kealan Dillon wrapped up the win for McAree's side.

"I thought we responded really well," said McAree.

"The character we showed, the professionalism was superb and we were tested a few times. Bigi [Gael Bigirimana] broke down in the warm-up so that was an adjustment and then Danny Wallace gets banged in the nose and has to come off.

"Peter Maguire has had food poisoning the past 24 hours, he didn't know whether he would be fit until three o'clock this afternoon and was still struggling at that stage but came on and did exceptionally well.

"After the first 10 minutes I thought we played very well. The first 10 minutes we were a little bit slow on the ball but after that I think we did really well.

"We deservedly took the lead, their keeper was sent off and I thought we were very good after that apart from the goal we conceded."

The winners of Saturday's semi-final (18:00 BST) will face Linfield in Tuesday's play-off decider at Windsor Park.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Cliftonville have confirmed Northern Ireland internationals Danielle Maxwell and Louise McDaniel have returned to the club after spending last season at Burnley.

Both players played a key role Cliftonville's two title winning seasons in 2022 and 2024 before moving to England.

Maxwell scored 11 league goals and McDaniel netted the opener in the 5-0 Irish Cup final win against Lisburn Rangers as the Reds won a domestic treble and enjoyed an 'invincible' Women's Premiership campaign in 2024.

Winger Maxwell, who previously had a short stint at Blackburn Rovers, won the Women's Premiership Player of the Year award in 2023 and 2024.

The 24-year-old scored in Northern Ireland's 4-0 World Cup qualifying win over Malta at Mourneview Park last month.

McDaniel originally joined the Reds in 2021 after spells with Linfield, Hearts and Blackburn Rovers and was part of Northern Ireland's Euro 2022 squad.

Cliftonville, who relinquished the Premiership title to Glentoran last season, opened the new season with a 5-0 win over Lisburn Ladies on Friday.

Image source, Inpho

Coleraine forward Joel Cooper has confirmed he is set to undergo surgery on both knees after playing through the pain barrier culminated in a starring role in the club's Irish Cup triumph.

Cooper, 30, scored and was named man of the match as Coleraine beat Dungannon Swifts 3-2 in Saturday's Windsor Park showpiece.

The former Northern Ireland Under-21 international ended his first season with the Bannsiders with 26 goals.

"I go to London tomorrow [Tuesday] for surgery on both knees. I've been struggling all season, probably since October," he told Good Morning Ulster.

"The medical team at Coleraine have been brilliant with me and I've been monitored very closely, there's the odd game I haven't been able to make it but the majority of the time I've been on the pitch, I maybe haven't been 100% but I'm not one who can sit back and watch, I like to be involved."

Cooper, who hopes to recover in time for the start of Coleraine's European campaign in July, joined an exclusive club on Saturday as an Irish Cup winner with three different clubs.

He previously won the competition with Glenavon in 2016 and Linfield in 2021.

"They're all different. The first one at Glenavon was special because of my grandad, a big Glenavon supporter, so that one was very special," he added.

"When we won at Linfield it was strange because it was during Covid, it wasn't at Windsor, it was at Mourneview [Park]. There weren't as many supporters there so it was different.

"Then last Saturday, after all the talk of the transfer window last year, this one is special as well because people will understand why I wanted the move. The support on Saturday was immense."

When asked if the cup win gave him vindication following his much-talked about move from Linfield last summer, Cooper said: "I don't know if I needed any vindication but it's nice to have a trophy at the end of it because all the talk was I wasn't going for trophies or football terms.

"But when I spoke to the owner [Henry Ross] or the manager [Ruaidhri Higgins] when he came in, the ambition they had said it all for me. They don't want to be just another team, they want to go and be successful.

"I knew what I was doing and I'm glad it's worked out that way."

Image source, Pacemaker

Defending Women's Premiership champions Glentoran began the defence of their title with a comprehensive 5-0 home win over Lisburn Rangers on Friday night.

The Glens led 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Kelly Crompton, Mia Moore and Gracie Conway, with Aimee Kerr and Mia Moore extending their advantage.

Linfield equalled their Belfast rivals in terms of goals scored on the opening night as they ran out convincing 5-0 winners over Derry City.

Linfield were four to the good at the interval, thanks to strikes from Cora Chambers, an Eve Reilly double, and Megan Bell in stoppage time. Stacey Murdough netted to make it five.

Emily Reid had Crusaders Strikers 2-0 up before the break but Chloe Tully and Shannon Dunne replied to draw Larne level and earn their side a point.

A dominant first half saw Cliftonville lead Lisburn Ladies 3-0, with Hannah Doherty, Caitlin McGuinness and Teegan Lynch on target.

A Kirsty McGuinness double in the second half for the Reds made the final scoreline 5-0.