Irish League Football

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Cliftonville defeated 10-man Linfield 4-1 to reach the semi-finals of the County Antrim Shield, as Larne beat Ballymacash Rangers 3-0.

Rory Hale and Keevan Hawthorne put Cliftonville two up at Solitude but Callumn Morrison pulled a goal back in the 44th minute.

However, the game turned when Linfield forward Chris McKee was shown a straight red card in additional time for a tackle on Hale.

Jim Magilton's side made the most of their man advantage after the restart and Ryan Curran and Thomas Lavery puts the Reds in control.

In Tuesday's other quarter-final at the Bluebell Stadium, Larne beat Premier Intermediate side Ballymacash Rangers 3-0.

Tomas Cosgrove headed in the opening goal on the half-hour mark and Cormac Austin added a second with 12 minutes to play.

Conor McKendry scored a third in injury time to secure the win for Larne, who have won the Shield four seasons in a row before last year's final defeat by Glentoran.

Larne and Cliftonville complete the line-up for the last four after Ballymena United beat Newington and Carrick Rangers defeated Glentoran on penalties on 14 October.

The first semi-final between Ballymena United and Cliftonville is scheduled for Tuesday, 11 November, and the east Antrim derby between Carrick Rangers and Larne is set for the following day.

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Linfield manager Ryan McConville said his side "have to learn" from their 2-0 defeat by Cliftonville in the Women's Challenge Cup final.

Caitlin McGuinness' early goal gave the holders the lead at Windsor Park before Fi Morgan doubled the Reds' advantage.

Despite Linfield's attempts, they struggled to test Rachael Norney and couldn't spark a second half comeback.

"We knew coming into the game that it was going to be hard," McConville told BBC Sport NI.

"Cliftonville have been a fantastic side all year and lost the league in the last game of the season to a brilliant Glens team, so we knew coming into the game that it was going to be difficult and that proved the case.

"I think we matched them, and I think it was a night when Cliftonville took their chances and we didn't. We have to learn from that."

The Blues haven't won the Challenge Cup since 2016 with this year's final their first since 2019.

In the league, McConville's side finished third for a second year in a row with the Linfield manager keen to build on that in the next campaign.

"We are a very young side to play in the Challenge Cup final," McConville continued.

"That is a testament to the work that has gone on in the academy and the players coming through.

"We have to look to next year and try and build on that."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter said his side "didn't do enough" during their 1-0 defeat against the Lurgan Blues at Mourneview Park.

Jack Malone's free-kick secured the three points for Glenavon, with the win their first of the season.

Despite an impressive victory over Glentoran midweek in the County Antrim Shield, Carrick have now registered just one victory in their last seven league games.

"I thought it was a very poor game in terms of the quality we've seen," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"The disappointment for me is that we didn't threaten their goal, and they didn't really threaten ours either.

"They fought harder for the game, I felt. I was disappointed that we didn't do enough, that we didn't show composure on the ball or feed our strikers the way we'd like.

It was a game of few chances, but the Lurgan Blues have now won four of their last five meetings at Mourneview Park against Carrick.

Baxter, who registered his 1000th game in management during the week, said his side "didn't create enough chances" during the match.

"Ultimately, we didn't create enough chances," Baxter continued.

"Credit to Glenavon for their work rate, effort and desire - they were determined to keep the ball out of their net, and they did."

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Glenavon manager Michael O'Connor said his side "controlled the game" and were "unbelievable" during their 1-0 win against Carrick Rangers, their first victory of the campaign.

In O'Connor's first game in charge, Jack Malone's free-kick from 25-yards curled into the top corner to seal their first three points of the season.

O'Connor was appointed as the new manager of the Lurgan Blues after Paddy McLaughlin parted ways with the club after nine defeats in a row.

"I thought the boys were unbelievable from minute one to minute 95," O'Connor told BBC Sport NI.

"Their work rate out of possession pleased me the most. We created a few chances and, to be honest, I don't think our keeper had a save to make.

"I thought we controlled the game across the pitch and fully deserved to win."

The Lurgan Blues remain at the foot of the table but are now seven points behind Crusaders.

O'Connor's side travel to Stangmore Park to take on Dungannon Swifts, who sit in eighth position, next weekend.

"I've told the lads whatever's happened before today is gone, it's a clean slate," O'Connor continued.

"The season starts now, and there are still plenty of points to play for.

"We'll need to be every bit as good as we were today, and then some, if we want to back this result up."

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Linfield manager David Healy told BBC Sport NI that he "nearly booed himself" after watching his side's "unacceptable" performance on their 2-0 defeat by Portadown at Shamrock Park on Friday night.

Second-half goals from Baris Altintop and James Teelan secured an impressive victory for Niall Currie's side and condemned the champions to a second reverse on the road during this campaign.

"Really disappointing. Our performance levels were nowhere near the expected levels," said Healy.

"That's why we lost. Our attitude was wrong, which is even more disappointing, because I thought we had prepared going into the game. But obviously not.

"I'll have a hard look at that. I've said to the players that I think we have 15 players out of contract this year and to be honest looking at tonight I'm not in a hurry to renegotiate anything with anybody at the minute until we find out where we are as a group."

The Blues boss added that the discontent shown by the Linfield supporters at the end of the game was understandable.

"I went and clapped the supporters tonight and they booed me and absolutely rightly so.

"I nearly booed myself walking over to clap them as I felt embarrassed for myself tonight and I felt embarrassed for the players for the level of football we turned in.

"Something I've driven at this football club is a mentality and an attitude. You may not always be at your best but you go and you empty the tank.

"You wear the shirt with pride and we didn't do that tonight. I'm responsible for that, I pick the team, it's my fault at the end of the day.

"I wish I could have crossed the white line tonight because I probably wouldn't have done any worse than some of the players who played."

Healy says the squad will now turn their attention to Tuesday night's County Antrim Shield quarter-final away to Cliftonville.

"I'll assess the game, we'll be in on Saturday and then we play on Tuesday, which gives us an earlier return to try and put things right.

"When you do lose a game your most important one becomes your next one so Solitude on Tuesday night, County Antrim Shield, not the most important trophy, but it becomes your most important game."

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Portadown boss Niall Currie said that his side's display in their 2-0 win over Linfield was "as good as it gets".

Second-half goals from Baris Altintop and James Teelan helped the Ports record their first home win over the Blues since February 2016.

And Currie was delighted with his team's display in response to last week's disappointing league defeat against Carrick Rangers.

"Tonight was as good as it gets. One to 11 we were unbelievable," he told BBC Sport NI.

"We were a threat, our wingers were fantastic as were our number nine, midfielders and backline and our goalkeeper was outstanding, making some huge saves at really critical times.

"From I came back to the club this is as good a performance I have had the pleasure of watching."

Asked what sparked such a positive performance in which they could have scored more than their two goals, Currie says it was instilling belief into his team they could capitalise on a rare Linfield off day.

"I think when the players are challenged and there is adversity that gets you up," he added.

"That's our third game in six days which is hard to believe, but there is nothing wrong with those boys, they have plenty of heart and desire and we're not too short of threats now.

"I think when we got in at half-time, we said we can hurt them. We showed that in the first half.

"We had three or four wonderful chances and I said you could do it again. It was a matter of getting them to believe and know we could hurt teams. We were worthy winners."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI

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Gary Haveron has been appointed as permanent Larne manager on a three-year deal.

The 44-year-old had been in interim charge of the club since August after Nathan Rooney left the Inver Reds following the first game of the season.

The east Antrim club sit third in the Premiership table after having played nine games and were unbeaten during his latest time at the helm until going down 2-0 to Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park on 4 October.

"I'm very proud and honoured to be asked to take this on," Haveron said on the Larne FC website.

"It's a club which is obviously very close to my heart. I feel now is the time to take the step up and take this role on.

"I have a great faith in the people we have at this club and ultimately football always will be about the players and I have great faith in these players.

"When I look at the players I have real belief that they will allow us to continue to compete for honours across the Irish League."

Haveron occupied the position of head coach for much of last season as he stepped up from the assistant manager role for the second half of the term after it emerged that Rooney did not possess the necessary qualifications to lead the team in European competition.

The Larne native was also interim first team coach of his home town club when Tiernan Lynch left to manage Premier Division side Derry City, before Englishman Rooney was appointed.

The former Glentoran and Carrick manager has already made history when Larne boss as he was in charge when they became the first Irish League club to win a game in the league phase on the Conference League when they defeated Gent 1-0 in December 2024.

The Inver Reds exited European competition to Santa Clara at the third qualifying round stage this season, but Haveron will be hoping that the east Antrim Club can lift the Gibson Cup for a third time in four years after Linfield won last season's Premiership title by a massive 22 points.

Mick O'Boyle has been promoted to the role of assistant manager while Jeff Hughes, Alan Mannus, Keith O'Hara and Mark Campbell will continue in their roles as part of the backroom staff.

Larne are away to Cliftonville in their next league game on Saturday.

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Carrick Rangers knocked holders Glentoran out of the County Antrim Shield with a 5-4 penalty shootout win at Taylors Avenue.

Jimmy Callacher headed Carrick in front before Joe Thomson equalised from the penalty spot for Declan Devine's side after Marcus Kane was fouled in the box.

MJ Kamson-Kamara put the Glens in front with his first goal for the club, but Jack Scott levelled for the hosts by firing home from the spot 10 minutes from time.

With no extra-time played in the County Antrim Shield, the game went straight to penalties and Thomson was the only player to miss in the shootout, hitting the post with the Glens' first spot-kick.

In Tuesday's other quarter-final, Ben Kennedy's second-half penalty helped Ballymena United beat Championship side Newington 1-0 to progress.

There are two more quarter-finals on Tuesday, 21 October as Cliftonville face Linfield at Solitude and last year's beaten finalists Larne travel to Premier Intermediate side Ballymacash Rangers.

Meanwhile Michael O'Connor's first game in charge of Glenavon ended in a penalty shootout defeat to Championship leaders Annagh United in the Mid-Ulster Cup.

The Mourneview Park quarter-final ended 0-0 but Annagh advanced after Josh Kee's penalty was saved.

In the same competition, Rathfriland Rangers defeated Dungannon Swifts 6-5 on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

Armagh City beat Loughgall 1-0 at Lakeview Park while Portadown saw off Warrenpoint Town 3-0.

Limavady United and Strabane Athletic progressed to the North West Cup decider.

Limavady prevailed 12-11 in a penalty shootout after their semi-final against Coleraine ended 2-2 at Limavady Showgrounds.

At the Brandywell, Strabane overcame Institute 5-0 to reach the final.

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Larne have announced the signing of teenage midfielder Cormac Austin on a deal until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old defensive midfielder joins the Inver outfit after a successful trial period with the club.

Austin had spells at Cliftonville and Linfield's academies, making his professional debut for the Blues as a 16-year-old.

He then made the move to Crystal Palace in 2022, signing a three-year deal and playing for both their under-18 and under-23 sides.

"I'm delighted to be here. Having been in on trial for the past while, I've had the chance to adapt to all of the boys and they've all been really good with me," Austin told Larne's website.

"Coming back from England, I'm here to prove myself and continue my development, but I want to win things.

"I want to win at all costs, that's what keeps me happy and I'm sure the supporters would be happy with that too."

Gary Haveron, who is serving as the club's interim manager, said he hopes that Austin can fulfil his potential at Inver Park.

"He is kid who I believe possesses tremendous ability and despite being young in age, will already be in a position to become part of our squad and challenge the more senior players for their positions each matchday," he explained.

"I want this to be an environment where Cormac believes he can flourish and build on his experience at Crystal Palace and he has given us his word that he believes Larne is perfect for him to knuckle down and improve as player."