Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Limavady United boss Paul Owens praised Jamie McGonigle's performance after he scored the winning goal in their 1-0 victory over Cliftonville in the Irish Premiership.

Striker McGonigle joined newly promoted Limavady on loan from Coleraine and has made a big impact in the opening games of the season.

The 30-year-old netted in the 20th minute against the Reds to move level at the top of the league's goalscoring charts alongside Coleraine's Matthew Shevlin on five goals apiece.

"It was a brilliant finish, and there is no one else you would want that to fall to," Owens told BBC Sport NI.

"We've missed chances early on in the season and Jamie has had that wee bit of gold dust there and we've been creating chances, but that's just the energy and the pressure.

"A couple of wins does that to you, and there has been no panic in that changing room. We haven't changed tactics or anything. We've been really calm and hammering the same messages, and I thoroughly believed that we weren't far away."

The Roesiders have now won three of their past four games and will also take plenty of positives from their defeat by Coleraine.

Owens' side made a bumpy start to their top flight return when they lost their first four but now sit ninth, level on points with Ballymena United.

"I'm absolutely delighted to get three points," Owens told BBC Sport NI.

"It was the first Saturday three points we have got; we obviously won the Bangor one on a Tuesday night.

"I really wanted to come off the field and get that wee roar from the supporters, and thankfully we came in and were able to get over the line."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Champions Cliftonville drew 1-1 with Linfield as the race for second place in the Women's Premiership between the Blues and Glentoran continues.

Caitlin McGuinness gave Cliftonville the lead after 28 minutes before Sophie McKnight levelled late in the second half.

The result means that Linfield are now two points behind the Glens, who have a game in hand.

Elsewhere, Derry City thrashed Larne 5-1 thanks to goals from Chelsea Scott and Tara O'Connor-Farren and a hat-trick from Rachel McIntyre.

At the Bluebell Stadium, Michelle McDaid scored a stoppage time winner against Lisburn Ladies to extend Crusaders unbeaten league run to three games.

On Sunday, Glentoran face Lisburn Rangers at the Blanchflower Stadium (16:30 BST).

Image source, Getty Images

Coleraine have been fined by the Irish Football Association [IFA] due to "objects thrown towards the Ballymena United goalkeeper" in their recent Irish Premiership game.

The Bannsiders won the 11 September game 3-2, but were served with a notice of complaint following the incidents at the Coleraine Showgrounds which have resulted in a financial penalty.

In a statement, the club expressed its disappointment of the actions by a "very small minority" and warned that "action" would be taken against those who breach regulations.

"We would like to place on record that the throwing of objects towards players is unacceptable, and we are bitterly disappointed that a very small minority have acted this way and brought a negative light on to the club and now cost the club financially," they said.

"At this time, we would like to remind all supporters that strict action will be taken where individuals can be identified throwing objects/missiles in accordance with ground regulations."

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran interim boss Paddy McCourt says that the opportunity to manage the club is "an absolutely brilliant job for somebody".

McCourt has overseen the club's last two games alongside Tim McCann after Declan Devine was relieved of his duties on Monday.

Alongside McCann, McCourt guided the Glens to their first win in five games as they beat Cliftonville 2-1 at Solitude on Saturday.

Reds boss Jim Magilton rejected the chance to take over at the Oval and while McCourt has already stated he does not want the job permanently, he would like to remain at the club in some capacity.

"I'm an employee of Glentoran Football Club, and I'll dig in as much as I can until I speak to the decision makers when a new manager is announced," he told BBC Sport NI.

"The one thing I have to say is this is an absolutely brilliant job for somebody. It really is. The support you get from the owner and the board.

"Whoever gets this job is walking into a really good group of players. I just hope for the sake of the club they get the appointment right. I genuinely don't know where that's at, but I'm sure there's work going on in the background."

Goals from Jack Malone, who was sent off, and substitute Jordan Jenkins secured the victory for the Glens in north Belfast and McCourt was pleased they edged an entertaining encounter and claimed a crucial three points.

"I thought it was a good game. Delighted to come out on the right side of it, both teams had chances, Millsy (Andrew Mills) makes a couple of really important saves at crucial times but we had some really good chances too and it was a good game to watch I'd say."