Irish League Football

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2024-25 league position: 9th

Player of the year: Sean O'Neill

It was a solid but inconsistent season for Ballymena United under Jim Ervin after such a positive start to the campaign.

In stark contrast to last season, when Ervin's side beat Institute in the promotion/relegation play off to stay in the top flight, the Sky Blues briefly topped the table in October after an eight-game winning run in the league.

They beat Larne, Glentoran and Cliftonville in that run, with summer g Ben Kennedy netting 11 goals in their first 12 games, but injuries and suspension halted his and ultimately Ballymena's progress.

Only six more victories in the following 26 league matches saw them slump down the table, although they comfortably avoided relegation.

Ballymena exited the BetMcLean League Cup at the quarter-final stage and were beaten in the fifth round of the Irish Cup by Championship side Ards.

2025-26 gs so far: Ryan McNickle (Newry City)

2025-26 departures so far: Luke Hawe (Southampton), Johnny McMurray (unattached), Sam Johnston (unattached), Caleb Crawford (unattached), Fiontan O'Boyle (unattached), Shane Flynn (unattached), Jordan McMullan (Glenavon), Duncan Idehen (Derry City, end of loan), Conor Barr (Derry City, end of loan), Ethan Devine (Linfield, end of loan)

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Defender Billy Joe Burns and forward Adam Lecky will both Carrick Rangers upon the expiration of their contracts with Crusaders.

Former Crues captain Burns spent 11 years with the Seaview club, making 423 appearances and scoring 33 goals after g in 2014.

He played a key role in helping the club secure three Irish Premiership titles, three Irish Cup victories and two County Antrim Shield triumphs.

Before that, Burns spent eight years at Linfield where he also won three Premiership titles and three Irish Cups.

Thirty-four-year-old striker Lecky arrives at Taylors Avenue after six seasons with the Crues.

He scored 34 goals in 162 appearances for the north Belfast side and previously had spells at Ballymena United, Dergview and Ballinamallard.

Both players will be reunited with former Crues boss Stephen Baxter at Taylors Avenue, something that Burns said attracted him to the club.

"I've worked with Stephen for so long, he knows a lot about me, I know a lot about him, so that was quite simple," he told the club's website.

"I've spoken with players who have been here before and everyone has had nice things to say, so it was quite an easy decision.

"I'm excited for a fresh challenge, something new after a long period at Crusaders, I can't wait to get started."

Lecky added: "I'm looking forward to it being a fresh start and getting going during pre-season. There's a lot of quality in the squad. I don't see why we can't push up to get sixth or seventh spot as well as targeting the cups."

The two players follow another former Crusaders midfielder Aidan Steele, in arriving at Carrick after Steele ed from Ards.

Elsewhere, Ballymena United have announced the g of striker Ryan McNickle on a two-year-deal.

The 25-year-old arrives from Newry City after scoring 20 goals in the Championship as his side suffered relegation.

Full-back Mal Smith will Irish Cup champions Dungannon Swifts upon the expiry of his contract with Crusaders.

The 24-year-old came through Glentoran's academy and had a spell on loan at Ballymena before spending two seasons at the Crues.

Lauren McCann
BBC Sport NI Journalist

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Linfield manager David Healy has distanced himself from rumours suggesting he may be interested in taking the vacant Dundee job.

The Scottish Premiership side are looking for a new manager after sacking Tony Docherty at the end of the season.

But Healy expressed his desire to build on the success he had this season with the Blues after guiding them to the Irish Premiership title before the split.

"I am going to Scotland this weekend but no [not for a job interview] and I'm not going to the Scottish Cup final," he told BBC Sport NI.

Healy was speaking after becoming the first recipient of the Manager of the Year award at the Ulster Footballer of the Year award.

He signed a one-year contract extension at Linfield last August after rejecting the chance to take over at Scottish Championship side Raith Rovers.

And Healy hopes to have clarity about his future at the Blues resolved before pre-season.

"I'm sure I'll sit down and talk about the contract, I've been successful, and I think the club know what they're going to get out of me," he added.

"I shouldn't see why it can't come to a conclusion; I think it has been timing and circumstances [as reasons why it hasn't yet been resolved].

"I contemplated a change last summer [moving to Raith] because I didn't know where I stood, but hopefully with the success this year, going forward we can build on that."

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Linfield forward Joel Cooper has been named as Ulster Footballer of the Year.

Cooper, who will Coleraine in the summer, scored 19 league goals as the Blues won the Gibson Cup before the split.

He was also named Northern Ireland Writers Player of the Year and PFA NI Premiership Player of the Year.

Northern Ireland winger Danielle Maxwell was chosen as Women's Player of the Year.

Maxwell scored 11 goals as she helped Cliftonville to an unbeaten Women's Premiership campaign before moving to Burnley.

Blues defender Matthew Orr was named Men's Young Player of the Year after playing a key role in the title win in his first season with the first team.

Glentoran striker Kascie Weir won the inaugural Women's Young Player of the Year following a breakout season with the Glens and Northern Ireland.

In her fourth cap for her country, the 18-year-old scored the winner against Romania last month in the Nations League.

Linfield boss David Healy was the first recipient of the Manager of the Year award after winning his sixth Gibson Cup with the club.

After helping Bangor to promotion by scoring 24 league goals, Ben Arthurs picked up the Championship Player of the Year award.

Sean McKinney was awarded Disability Player of the Year after his stellar contributions for the Northern Ireland powerchair football team and his club Belfast Trailblazers PFC.

Departing Linfield physio Terry Hayes received the Dr Malcom Brodie Lifetime Achievement award as he brought the curtain down on a 50-year association with the club as both a player and physio.

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Winger Jordan Stewart has returned to Glentoran on a two-year deal after 10 seasons away from the Oval.

The 30-year-old came through the ranks at the east Belfast club and made his debut for the Glens in 2013.

After winning the Irish Cup in 2015, he made the move to Swindon Town that summer and spent two years with the Robins before returning to the Irish Premiership with Glentoran's fierce rivals Linfield.

He spent seven seasons at Windsor Park, winning the league on four occasions, with his final campaign including a loan spell at Glenavon.

After representing Crusaders last season, Stewart said he will be back at Glentoran with "a real drive to make an impact".

"I'm absolutely buzzing to be back," he told Glentoran's official website.

"This is where my football journey began - the club that gave me my first opportunity in senior football and played a huge part in shaping my career.

"I had a great first spell here, but I've returned with even more hunger and a real drive to make an impact.

"I know I've got to earn the trust of the Glentoran fans again and the best way to do that is by working hard and letting my football do the talking."

Glentoran have already confirmed that Scottish midfielder Liam Burt will the club ahead of next season, with Fuad Sule, Kodi Lyons-Foster, Niall McGinn and Jay Donnelly among those to depart.

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Coleraine will sign Kodi Lyons-Foster from Irish Premiership rivals Glentoran at the conclusion of his contract at the Oval next month.

Lyons-Foster impressed during his one season with Glentoran having previously spent time in the academy structures at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa.

The 28-year-old defender has signed a "multi-year" deal with the Bannsiders who finished fifth in the league this season before replacing manager Dean Shiels with Ruaidhri Higgins and losing the European play-off final to Cliftonville.

"After speaking to Ruaidhri, I was excited by the plans for the future and the ambition around the club," Lyons-Foster told Coleraine's club website.

"I've really enjoyed my time in the league and I'm grateful to Glentoran, but this felt like the right move for me.

"I've heard brilliant things about the fans and the atmosphere at The Showgrounds, and when I played there this season it really stood out. I'm excited about what's ahead and buzzing to get started."

Coleraine have already signed Irish Premiership player of the season Joel Cooper from Linfield for next season after "significant investment" from new majority owner Henry Ross.

For Glentoran, it is the second prominent departure in three days after it was confirmed on Friday that Fuad Sule will also sign elsewhere upon the conclusion of his contract.

Both Sule and Lyons-Foster were voted onto the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association Team of the Year for last season.

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Cliftonville's record goalscorer Joe Gormley has penned a one-year contract extension at Solitude.

The 35-year-old, who has scored 294 times in 527 games for the club, was the Irish Premiership's top scorer this season with his 20 goals as he helped the Reds qualify for Europe.

The former Peterborough United striker also scored the winning goal in his side's 1-0 victory over Glentoran in the BetMcLean Cup final in March.

Gormley had previously thought this season would be his last but will now play on for at least another year and receive a testimonial from the club.

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Crusaders have signed defender Kurtis Forsythe from fellow Irish Premiership side Carrick Rangers.

The 22-year-old right back becomes Declan Caddell's second summer g and will on a three-year-deal upon the expiration of his contract with Carrick.

Forsythe came through the Gers' academy, making his debut in 2020.

The full-back made 160 appearances for Carrick during his five seasons with the first team, scoring three goals in that period.

Caddell said that he was "absolutely thrilled" to welcome the defender to Seaview.

"He's a player we have ired for some time and he fits perfectly into the style and mentality we are building here," he told the club's website.

"At just 22 he already has great experience in the league and we believe his best years are ahead of him.

"He brings quality, drive and a fantastic attitude, we can't wait to see him in a Crusaders shirt."

Crusaders also added Scottish winger Keiran McKechnie to their squad earlier this week.

The 24-year-old arrives on a two-year deal, which will commence following the expiration of his current contract with Arbroath.

McKechnie came through the Rangers academy and also had a spell with Queen of the South.

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Crusaders have confirmed the departure from the club of skipper Billy Joe Burns upon the expiration of his contract this summer.

The former Linfield defender has spent 11 years with the Seaview club, making 423 appearances and scoring 33 goals since g for the north Belfast outfit in 2014.

During his spell with the Crues, Burns played a key role in helping the club secure three Irish Premiership titles, three Irish Cup victories and two County Antrim Shield triumphs.

The 36-year-old also picked up accolades, collecting the Ulster Footballer of the Year and NIFWA Footballer of the Year in the 2015-16 season.

His playing time has been restricted by injury in recent seasons.

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell said: "BJ has been an incredible servant to this football club.

"I had the privilege of sharing the pitch with him as a team-mate and it's been an honour to manage him as a player.

"He's a leader, a winner, and someone who always gives everything for the cause.

"He'll be missed massively but he leaves with our gratitude and full respect."

The Irish Premiership club also revealed that Adam Lecky and Jimmy Callacher were leaving Seaview.

Lecky ed Crusaders from Ballymena United in 2019 and was instrumental in the club's 2022 Irish Cup triumph over his former side.

He made 162 appearances, scoring 34 goals.

Callacher signed for the Crues in 2023 after a long and distinguished career with Linfield and played 43 times.

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Glentoran midfielder Fuad Sule is among five players who will depart the Oval at the conclusion of their contracts this summer.

The 28-year-old ed from Larne in 2023 and has been an influential figure under Glens boss Declan Devine, often captaining the side in the absence of usual skipper Marcus Kane.

In what proved to be Sule's final game for the east Belfast club, they drew 0-0 with Larne on the final day to miss out on automatic European qualification for next season with the former Bohemians man handed a six-game ban for his role in a post-match brawl.

Glentoran, who won the County Antrim Shield in January, spent much of the Irish Premiership season in second place but endured a disappointing end to their campaign that saw them fall into third on the penultimate weekend, leaving them requiring victory in that game at Inver Park on the final day.

They were also knocked out of the Irish Cup by second-tier Bangor before losing the BetMcLean Cup final to Cliftonville and suffering defeat to the same opposition in the semi-finals of the European play-off.

Forward Wassim Aouachria and midfielder Finley Thorndike, who ed the side last summer, will both leave Glentoran after one season.

Former top goalscorer Jay Donnelly and Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn, who were on loan at Newington and Greenock Morton respectively, will also depart the club, while defender Paddy McClean has been put on the transfer list.

Glentoran have already confirmed the g of midfielder Liam Burt.

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Strikers Ruaidhri Donnelly and Destiny Ojo will depart Cliftonville upon the expiration of their contracts.

Donnelly brings the curtain down on an injury-hit third spell with the Reds after ing in July 2024.

The 33-year-old made just 13 league appearances, the last of which came in November.

He found the net once, scoring once in a 3-1 defeat against Larne in September.

"I want thank Jim [Magilton] for the chance he gave me to put a Reds top back on, always an honour wearing that top," Donnelly posted on X, external.

"It has been a difficult and frustrating season on and off the pitch for myself and I truly believe no player deserves a contract without fighting for one, which I was unable to do due to injury.

"The Reds fan base is something else. Thank you, Cliftonville Football Club, once a Red, always a Red."

Donnelly made 70 appearances during his first spell with the north Belfast side before impressive form earned a move to Swansea City in January 2012.

Also representing Tranmere Rovers and Gillingham while playing in England, he returned to Cliftonville in the summer of 2017.

The forward then ed Glentoran on transfer deadline day in January 2021 and also had a spell at Newington in the Championship.

Ojo signed in August last year after being released by Portsmouth and featured 14 times for the Reds in all competitions.

He scored twice in Cliftonville's run to the BetMcLean League Cup final, including a dramatic extra time winner against Larne in the semi-final win.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute in Jim Magilton's side 1-0 victory over Glentoran in the decider.

"Thank you for everything last season, all the best for the future," he said in a post on X, external.

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Midfielder Kris Lowe has left Cliftonville will fellow Irish Premiership side Glenavon upon the expiration of his contract with the Reds.

The 29-year-old spent four and a half years with the north Belfast side after being signed by Paddy McLaughlin from Dungannon Swifts in January 2021.

Lowe won the Irish Cup and two BetMcLean League Cups during his time at Solitude.

He previously spent eight years with the Swifts where he also won a League Cup in 2018.

Lowe will be reunited with McLaughlin at the Lurgan Blues and becomes their third g after Oran O'Kane ed from H&W Welders and Jordan McMullen arrived from Ballymena.

McLaughlin said he was "absolutely delighted" with the addition of Lowe to his squad as they look to build on their 10th place finish last year.

"I've worked with him before and I'm a huge irer of his qualities. He can play at a high level in a number of positions. Essentially, he's a midfielder but he can operate at right-back and centre-half as well with no problem," McLaughlin told the Glenavon website.

"His quality has been evident, but his calmness, his positivity and his athleticism are also great attributes to have.

"As a part-time club it's important that we stay in touch as much as possible with the full-time teams and bringing in someone like Kris will help us do that."

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Irish Premiership European play-off final: Coleraine v Cliftonville

Venue: The Coleraine Showgrounds Kick-off: 14:00 BST Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website or follow live text commentary on BBC Sport NI website

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton says that he is going to "ask" his players for one more big performance as they take on Coleraine in Sunday's European play-off final.

The Reds bounced back from their Irish Cup final defeat against Dungannon Swifts to beat Glentoran 2-0 at the Oval on Wednesday in the play-off semi-final.

They will now face Coleraine in the final at the Showgrounds after the Bannsiders overcame Crusaders 1-0 in their semi-final.

Magilton is hopeful the Reds can end a difficult campaign on a high and secure European football for a second successive season.

"Given the season that we've had, it's an unbelievable group of players that have shown resolve," he said.

"We lost a teammate [defender Michael Newberry died suddenly in December]. We won a League Cup, we lost an Irish Cup on penalties and then we've had to win away at the Oval, which is always a difficult place to come.

"I can only commend the players, their attitude and their application. Now we go to Coleraine and it's winner takes all."

Bannsiders hope to make home advantage count

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The Reds boss added that if his side managed to qualify for Europe, it would be one of the club's "great achievements".

"We know it will be a huge task, lots of good players, new manager and we tend to like to do things the hard way, so we'll be ready, as will Coleraine."

Coleraine have failed to beat Cliftonville in three league meetings this season, with the Reds winning once and the other two ending in draws.

Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins, who won his first game in charge against Crues, is hopeful the new manager bounce can continue for his side on Sunday.

Coleraine are looking to secure European football for the first time since 2022 and will hope to make home advantage count.

"It would be a brilliant achievement if we could secure it [European football]," he added.

"Obviously, we're playing against a really good side in Cliftonville, but we'll be ready and looking forward to it.

"We're home again, so, fingers crossed we can put in a really good performance."

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Champions Cliftonville were held 1-1 at home by Linfield on the opening night of the new Women's Premiership season.

The Reds went behind through Cora Chambers' effort in the 55th minute after the forward was picked out by Zoe McGlynn.

But former Northern Ireland international Marissa Callaghan equalised with just under 15 minutes to play to ensure the points were shared at Solitude.

The north Belfast side's nearest challengers last season, Glentoran, opened their campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win over Lisburn Ladies at Bluebell Stadium.

Kascie Weir and Aimee Kerr both scored twice in the victory, with Jess Foy and substitute Rachel Rogan also on target for the Glens while Morgan Shannon netted a late consolation for the hosts.

Lisburn Rangers started their season with a big win too as they beat Larne 5-0 at Crewe Park.

Gracie Conway opened the scoring after just nine minutes before Helen Parker and Sophie Megaw put them in a commanding position before half-time.

Conway added her second and her side's fourth before Anastasija Stanyte rounded out the scoring before the hour-mark.

Rebecca Mann also began the season with a double as Crusaders Strikers defeated Derry City Women 4-2 at Seaview.

Jessica Rea and Sophie Gargan were the others to find the net for the Crues who led 4-0 before Tara O'Connor-Farren and Cache Crumlish-Hawes scored for the Candystripes.

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine and Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton speak to BBC Sport NI after the Reds' 2-0 victory at the Oval helped them reach Sunday's European play-off final.

Devine on the defeat: "We didn't do enough which is the biggest disappointment. We were looking for a reaction tonight, but we didn't play with any intensity and our attacking play was non-existent. We switch off from a free-kick then and we are severely punished."

On the disappointing end to the season: "We have to change our mentality here because the reality is we haven't scored enough goals this year. We had second place in our hands and threw it away."

Magilton on the win: "We played really well in parts but above all else we were tremendous in character and guts to get a result after the huge disappointment of Saturday. To show the resolve and resilience, I'm so proud of the players."

On Jack Keaney and Eric McWoods' goals: Once Rory (Hale) lands on the ball he has that kind of vision and Jack was brilliant all night and recognised there was an opening and then it was a fantastic finish.

"Glentoran were then pressing for an equaliser, and we caught them on the counter and Eric worked his socks off all night and deserved his goal."

On Sunday's final: "If we qualify for Europe this way it's up there with the great achievements. We know it will be a huge task. We tend to like to do things the hard way so we will be ready."

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After Coleraine booked their place in the European play-off final with a 1-0 win over Crusaders, BBC Sport NI caught up with Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins and Crues manager Declan Caddell.

Higgins on winning in his first game in charge: "Absolutely delighted with the result we started the game extremely well, some of the play first half was top drawer and what we want going forward.

"Second half we had to dig deeper and show a bit of grit to see the game out. All we wanted was to get to Sunday and we've done that."

On Declan McManus' winning goal: "It was an outstanding goal some really good play down the right side and lovely cross from Corey (Smith) and tucked away well by Declan."

On Sunday's final: "It would be a brilliant achievement if we could secure European football, we're playing against a really good side in Cliftonville, but we will be ready and looking forward to it."

Caddell on the defeat: "It was a game of two halves, Coleraine were very good first half, took an early goal well which was hard to recover from and they warranted the lead in the game. Second half it was all pressure from us, but we didn't do enough, we had no clear-cut chances.

"The players gave everything, I'm really disappointed for them, it has been a rollercoaster of a year. Tonight was a sore one, but we will learn a lot from it."