Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker

The five sets of post-split fixtures for the concluding weeks of the Irish Premiership season have been confirmed.

The first set of games on Saturday 28 March will see top flight leaders Larne face Cliftonville at Inver Park, while second-placed Glentoran will entertain big Belfast rivals Linfield at the Oval.

Dungannon Swifts are at home to Coleraine in the other top six game. Meanwhile in the bottom six, Carrick Rangers are at home to Crusaders.

Ballymena United will host Bangor and Glenavon will face Portadown one week later on Saturday 4 April because of international call-ups.

The second set of games on Tuesday 7 April will have 19:45 BST kick-off times and will see BBC Sport NI provide live coverage of Larne v Coleraine, with Larne's visit to Windsor Park to play Linfield on Saturday 11 April (13:00 BST) also broadcast live across BBC Sport NI.

Glentoran, who sit second going into the split, are at home to Larne in another game you can see across BBC Sport NI on Friday 17 April.

On the final Saturday of the league season, 25 April, the three bottom six fixtures will kick off at 15:00 BST, with the three matches involving the teams in the top six starting at 17:30.

You can view the full set of post-split Irish Premiership fixtures as provided by the Northern Ireland Football League here, external.

Image source, Inpho

Linfield striker Kieran Offord will miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 21-year-old returned from a four-month spell on the sidelines as a substitute in the Blues' 3-1 win over Portadown earlier this month.

However, the Scot's night was cut short after just 13 minutes on the pitch when he was forced off following a tackle from Lewis MacKinnon.

Having missed Linfield's BetMcLean Cup final win over Glentoran, the club have confirmed his ankle surgery was successful.

"This is a hugely disappointing setback for him after the tremendous effort he put into recovering from his previous injury," read Linfield's statement.

"Everyone at the club is fully behind Kieran, and we have no doubt that with his determination and professionalism, he will return stronger and back to his very best.

"We wish him every success in his recovery and rehabilitation."

Offord joined Linfield from St Mirren in January 2025 after impressing on loan for Crusaders.

David Healy's side are currently eight points off leaders Larne in the Irish Premiership and

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran boss Declan Devine was left to rue missed chances after a 1-0 defeat by Linfield in the BetMcLean Cup final.

The Glens wasted a host of opportunities before the Blues won it with a penalty deep in extra-time.

KJ Kamson-Kamara brought down Chris McKee, who dusted himself down before slotting home the spot-kick.

"I think we created really good chances and opportunities and with the fine details in games like this you have to take those opportunities," he said.

"Cup finals are about getting that important goal. We've got severely punished for not taking one of those chances because it's the first mistake in the game we've made.

"After working so hard for so long and putting our bodies on the line it's soul destroying.

"It's very raw at the minute, but obviously it's very disappointing to lose and I ca't fault the players because they were outstanding in the game.

"We've a lot of things still to play for but that was a painful way to lose a football game."