Irish League Football

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Larne manager Gary Haveron on his side's 2-0 win, clean sheet and three points:

"We pride ourselves on clean sheets. You're going to win games of football if you don't concede, especially with the firepower we have. We scored two brilliant goals, and it took two brilliant goals to break down a stubborn Bangor team. I feel we're going to get a lot of very good results, especially at home."

Haveron on substitutes making an impact, including Conor McKendry's strike:

"Conor's been a wee bit unfortunate, serving a suspension from the end of last year that cut his season short.

He's been patient and waiting for his opportunity, but that's exactly what you want from him. He's capable of moments of brilliance. The wee man comes on, and that's what he does - he's done it throughout his career. It's great to have him come on and take that vital goal."

Haveron on Benji Magee's late goal:

"It was important for Benji."

"It had been a frustrating afternoon for him, then he puts one in the corner, probably the most difficult of his chances today. He definitely had a lot of easier ones, and it was frustrating at times because you just wanted him to go and kill the game. But what a strike, worth the entrance fee alone for the fans."

"Benji's been a breath of fresh air, a really energetic player, and it was brilliant to see him get the goal he deserved."

Haveron on momentum and the squad getting stronger:

"We've still got a number of players to come back. Jordan McEnuff was on the bench today, maybe a wee bit early for him, but he'll come into contention. Leroy Millar is very close now, long-awaited, and we've also got Dylan Sloan and Alfie Bridgman to return from international duty.

"It bodes well because competition for places is there. When you're winning games, everyone wants to be part of it and contribute. The boys have been brilliant - working hard in training and taking it into matches."

Haveron on being linked with the permanent job:

"Listen, I think the owners are happy enough with the results and how we've been going about our work. We've got an exceptional group of players, and the credit always goes to them. They work so hard every day to show their qualities, and they're desperate to play and contribute. I'll just keep trying to do my best by them, supporting them and keeping them on the straight and narrow."

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Glentoran remain two points ahead of Cliftonville at the top of the Women's Premiership after both sides won their respective matches on Friday night.

The Glens won 2-1 at Lisburn Rangers, with Jess Foy opening the scoring deep into stoppage time at the end of the first half, then Faye Loughran scored against her former club early in the second half.

Gracie Conway grabbed a late consolation for Rangers with three minutes remaining.

Cliftonville meanwhile were 2-0 victors away to third-placed Linfield courtesy of two Teegan Lynch goals, one in either half.

Caoirse Doherty grabbed a double and Tara O'Connor-Farren was also on target as Derry City won 3-1 at home to Crusaders Strikers, Michelle McDaid was the scorer for the Crues.

Lisburn Ladies drew 0-0 with Larne in the night's other game.

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Holders Cliftonville will begin the defence of the BetMcLean Cup with a home first-round tie against Premier Intermediate side Coagh United.

The Reds beat Glentoran after extra time in last year's final courtesy of substitute Joe Gormley's goal.

The winners of the competition this year will automatically go into the Irish Premiership's European play-off final from next season.

All Irish Premiership sides and the top four ranked Championship clubs were seeded for the draw.

Last year's runners up and early Irish Premiership pacesetters Glentoran have been drawn away to Championship side Institute.

Gibson Cup holders Linfield will face Queen's University, Larne are away to Dergview whilst Crusaders host Ballymacash Rangers.

Irish Cup winners Dungannon Swifts travel to Ards, Carrick Rangers are away to Armagh City and Ballymena United welcome Ballinamallard United to the Showgrounds.

Promoted side Bangor will be at home to Lisburn Distillery, Coleraine will travel to Dollingstown, who received a bye through to the first round.

Portadown will be away to Newry City and Glenavon face a trip to Warrenpoint.

All ties will be played on Tuesday, 7 October unless specified and the games will be played to a finish.

BetMcLean Cup first-round draw

Ards v Dungannon Swifts (to be played Wednesday 8 October)

Armagh City v Carrick Rangers

Ballymena United v Ballinamallard United

Bangor v Lisburn Distillery

Cliftonville v Coagh United

Crusaders v Ballymacash Rangers

Dergview v Larne

Dollingstown v Coleraine

H&W Welders v Dundela

Institute v Glentoran

Linfield v Queen's University

Loughgall v Strabane Athletic

Moyola Park v Annagh United

Newington v Limavady United

Newry City v Portadown

Warrenpoint Town v Glenavon

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Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton has agreed a contract extension to remain at the Solitude club until 2028.

The former Northern Ireland international was appointed in June 2023, leading the Reds to Irish Cup success in 2024.

Alongside assistant manager Gerard Lyttle, who has also signed an extension until 2028, Magilton guided the club to more silverware last season - winning the BetMcLean Cup in March.

"Jim Magilton and Gerard Lyttle have been instrumental in the successes the Club has enjoyed over the last two seasons," chairman Kieran Harding told the Cliftonville website.

"As a management team, they have delivered trophies, European football and some hugely memorable experiences for supporters young and old.

"Their dedication to Cliftonville and to improving players on the training pitch cannot be underestimated and, as well as expressing my own delight at extending their contracts for a further three years, I'm sure I speak on behalf of Reds fans around the world when I say how much we're all looking forward to what we can achieve in the seasons ahead."

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Cliftonville say there are "clear gaps and outstanding issues to be resolved" in an update about a proposed takeover of the Irish Premiership club.

Club members voted to accept a proposal from the Toronto Investment Group [TIG] in April.

However, progress on finalising the investment had stalled and Cliftonville held an extraordinary general meeting with members about the takeover on Monday.

"It became evident that there remained clear gaps and outstanding issues still to be resolved," chairperson Kieran Harding said.

"As a result, it was agreed that the board would appoint an additional legal representative who would engage with TIG's lawyers to explore whether a resolution to those issues could be found."

When the proposed investment from the Canadian consortium was first announced, it was felt it could see the north Belfast club move to a full-time model and make improvements to their Solitude home, where the men's and women's senior teams play along with the club's youth set up.

Harding told BBC Sport in April that TIG would own 90% of the club, whilst the members will have a 10% stake as the group were keen to let the members have a "voice" in the running of the club.

In a statement on Monday, Harding said that it was hoped a decision on the takeover "will be made within the next two months".

He added that the board was "focused on protecting the long-term interests" of the club and supporters.

"A new Board subgroup was appointed involving the Chair, two newly co-opted Board members together with two representatives from the Membership of Cliftonville FC," Harding added.

"The subgroup will provide oversight on the discussions and guidance to the legal representative.

"The subgroup will report findings to the Board before a final decision on the investment is made by the Members."

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BBC Sport NI and NIFL have confirmed the next set of Irish Premiership fixtures that will be broadcast on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

Ballymena v Linfield – Tuesday, 16 September (19:45 BST)

Coleraine v Glentoran – Friday, 19 September (19:45 BST)

Bangor v Linfield – Friday, 26 September (19:45 BST)

Cliftonville v Glentoran – Friday, 3 October (19:45 BST)

Larne v Linfield – Sunday, 12 October (15:00 BST)

Portadown v Linfield – Friday, 17 October (19:45 BST)

Glentoran v Portadown – Friday, 31 October (19:45 GMT)

Cliftonville v Linfield – Sunday, 2 November (15:00 GMT)

Follow live Irish Premiership coverage on Radio Ulster and the BBC Sport website every Saturday from 14:00 on Sportsound with in-play clips and live text commentary from every Irish Premiership game.

You can also follow our dedicated Irish League Football page on the BBC Sport NI website with all the latest news, reaction and highlights from the Irish Premiership.

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Cliftonville moved to within two points of leaders Glentoran in the Women's Premiership with a comfortable 6-0 win against Lisburn Ladies at Solitude.

Naomi McLaughlin opened the scoring for the Reds three minutes before half-time, heading home from Abbie Magee's cross.

McLaughlin added her and her side's second five minutes after the restart with another close-range finish.

A long-range strike from Kirsty McGuinness two minutes later extended their advantage.

Aoibhe O'Neill, Katie Markey and Carla Devine then netted to wrap up the win for the reigning champions.

In Monday night's other game, Crusaders fought back from a two-goal deficit to beat Larne 4-2 at Inver Park.

Larne raced into a two-goal lead after just 16 minutes at Inver Park.

Striker Hollie Johnston broke the deadlock as she stroked home from Sasha Clarke's pass.

Clarke then turned from provider to goal scorer, firing home from range to double the home side's lead.

Their advantage was short-lived, however, as Crusaders pulled a goal back on 24 minutes as Michelle McDaid converted after a Larne defensive mix-up.

The Crues were level six minutes later through a goal from Ali McMaster and on 34 minutes they completed their comeback.

Emily Reid scored to turn the game on its head and give the Crues a half-time advantage.

Larne then missed a huge chance to draw level on 63 minutes as after Mia Little was upended in the box, Clarke's resulting penalty was saved by Crues goalkeeper Maddy Harvey-Clifford.

They were left to rue that miss when Maja Stachura extended the away side's lead seven minutes later.

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Defender Matthew Orr has joined Nottingham Forest from Linfield for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal.

The 18-year-old centre-back made 37 appearances for the Blues after breaking through last season.

He scored twice, including a goal on his senior debut against Stjarnan in the Uefa Conference League in July 2024.

Orr's impressive performances in helping Linfield to the Irish Premiership title saw him named Young Player of the Year alongside gaining a place in the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Team of the Year.

The Northern Ireland under-21 international will initially link up with Forest's youth team which plays in the Premier League 2.

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Cliftonville have completed the loan signing of Dungannon Swifts forward Brandon Bermingham.

The 23-year-old started his career at Drogheda United before moving to the United States on a four-year university scholarship.

He then joined the Swifts in January of this year and was part of the side that beat Cliftonville in the Irish Cup final in May.

Bermingham, who can play across the frontline, becomes the Reds' eighth summer signing and will be part of the squad to face Crusaders in the County Antrim Shield on Tuesday.

The Swifts announced on Friday that they had signed former Glentoran and Galway United striker Junior.

The 31-year-old arrives at Stangmore Park as a free agent after a recent spell with Turkish club Karsiyaka Anamur.

The Glens have brought in MJ Kamson-Kamara on loan from League One side Lincoln City.

The 19-year-old defender made his senior debut for the Imps last season.

Coleraine have also raided the Imps, signing forward Zane Okoro on loan. The 18-year-old American striker made two appearances for the Imps last season.

Meanwhile Larne have loaned out Josh Kee to Glenavon and fellow youngster Oisin Devlin to Bangor.

The Seasiders have also brought back defender Lewis Francis from Loughgall on a two-year deal.

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Rodney McAree feels the decision to rule out a late equaliser in Saturday's 2-1 defeat by Bangor was "a bit harsh".

Andrew Mitchell had headed Dungannon into the lead but Ben Arthurs and a Steven Scott own goal put Bangor into the lead.

Kealan Dillon's corner with 10 minutes remaining looked like it had gone straight in but referee Ben Anderson ruled the goal out for an infringement on Bangor goalkeeper Gareth Deane.

The defeat leaves the Swifts, who won the Irish Cup in May, bottom of the table and without a win in five matches.

"I can't see any reason why it's not been given," said Swifts boss McAree.

"Our changing room doesn't feel there has been anything on the goalkeeper.

"I feel it was a bit harsh but I'll have another look at it. He might have got it right but it looks soft.

"Whenever you are down there you don't really get that rub of the green with those little things."

In contrast to McAree, Bangor manager Lee Feeney "clearly a foul" on goalkeeper Deane, who has been jostling for position with Mitchell.

"The referee spotted it well and I was delighted to see that," he said.

"I'm delighted in the manner we won the game because we definitely earned it.

"I thought we defended really well and we know in this league we are not expected to win any games.

"If we are going to get anything we are going to have to work for it."

Stay up to date with the Irish Premiership on BBC Sport NI.

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine feels his side lacked a "cutting edge" in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Carrick Rangers in the Irish Premiership.

Jordan Stewart cancelled out Paul Heatley's opener for Carrick as both sides maintained their unbeaten starts to the season.

Josh Kelly had an effort ruled out after the break but a draw was enough for Glentoran to remain three points clear at the top of the table.

"You have to give credit to Carrick because they defended their box brilliantly," said Devine.

"Apart from their goal I thought we were reasonably comfortable.

"I can't fault the effort of the players, I thought they were extremely brave but if I was to look back at it I feel we need a bit more of a cutting edge."

It has been a strong start to the season for the Glens, who are unbeaten in their five matches this season.

"We'll take our point and move on," said Devine.

"It's very early stages in the season but I think we can be better with our final pass and our final ball.

"The boys are disappointed but at the start of the season if you had offered me 13 points out of 15 I probably would have taken it.

"At the same time I'm disappointed we didn't do enough to go and grasp the three points."

Stay up to date with the Irish Premiership on BBC Sport NI.

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says he is "pleased" with a point in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Irish Premiership leaders Glentoran.

Paul Heatley opened the scoring at the Oval but Jordan Stewart equalised shortly before half time.

Both teams are unbeaten, and Carrick are three points behind Glentoran but have a game in hand.

"They have got off to a bright start and were unbeaten, and we were good value for our point today," said Baxter.

"We were disappointed we conceded two minutes before half time. It was disappointing but we stood tall and defended well.

"I thought we were very comfortable here. Glentoran are a slick outfit, so you have to be pleased when you come here and leave with a point."

Baxter said that 38-year-old Heatley was a "master craftsman" and had raised the levels of professionalism around Taylors Avenue.

"The boys were crying out for that level of professionalism, which is required for what we are trying to achieve and what we are trying to do.

"People like Paul know the levels and know what they want. They look for others and they have stepped up to the plate.

"He is a wonderful person off the pitch, and to coach and manage. I can't speak highly enough of him."

Stay up to date with the Irish Premiership on BBC Sport NI.

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Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton says it is a "relief" to pick up the club's first win of the Irish Premiership season.

Joe Gormley , Harry Wilson and Jonny Addis were on target in the 3-1 win over Glenavon at Solitude.

Glenavon remain without a point in the league while the Reds picked up their first victory in five attempts.

"It's a relief, there's no question about that," said Magilton.

"We knew that Glenavon, despite their results, were going to come and play and they did.

"We know every game in this league would be a challenge, and they provided that.

"We met it and scored at important times and I'm delighted with three points."

Cliftonville captain Rory Hale said three points at home to Cliftonville were the main objective, and not the performance.

Goormley and Wilson puts the Reds two goals to the good before Francely Lomboto pulled one back for Glenavon, who are managed by former Reds boss Paddy McLaughlin.

The win was secured when defender Addis netted late on in north Belfast.

"We haven't had a good start, and we know that collectively," he said.

"Today was just about winning and if the performance came with it, happy days.

"It was about getting three points on the board and looking ahead to the next game.

"We're delighted we ended up with both outcomes and delighted with the three points."

Stay up to date with the Irish Premiership on BBC Sport NI.