Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Larne manager Gary Haveron praised Andy Ryan's "quality" goals during their 2-1 win over Dungannon Swifts at Inver Park.

Ryan broke the deadlock with a superb free-kick and netted his and Larne's second just before the half-time whistle from the penalty spot.

Andrew Mitchell did net a late goal for the Swifts, but the Inver Reds were able to hold on and secure the three points to extend their lead at the top of the Irish Premiership to five points.

"We raced into a 2-0 lead and I thought we deserved it, but we were probably wasteful," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

"They are good strikes from Andy Ryan. Obviously, the penalty and the free-kick is absolute quality and it shows the class that he has.

"I thought we defended really well, our shape was really good and we limited them to nothing. Ro [Rohan Ferguson] had nothing to do until Mitch [Andrew Mitchell] scored a wonder goal and it was a nervy last five minutes."

Rodney McAree also praised Mitchell's late goal and the effort that his side displayed against the league leaders.

"His [Mitchell's] finish was exceptional," McAree told BBC Sport NI.

"After we score, we have a real go. We have two really good opportunities. McGinty has a header and I think it is him again who pokes it into Rohan's hands.

"We had two big opportunities to go get a point, but you can accept getting beaten when you get a whole-hearted performance like we did."

Image source, Inpho

Irish Premiership side Glenavon have confirmed a proposed investment from Football International Limited has been completed.

In January, the Lurgan Blues announced they had entered a "strategic partnership" with the English-based consortium, who will acquire a majority shareholding in the club through a "staged investment programme" over five years.

The deal has now been signed off by shareholders and sees Cathal Morrison, Alberto Valdes, Michael Stephens, and Christopher Parry join the board of directors with immediate effect.

According to Glenavon's statement issued on Friday, they will work alongside existing leadership to support the club both strategically and operationally going forward.

Glenavon chairman Warren McCleary said the deal would "secure the financial future of the club" and bring in expertise that would "improve the performance of every aspect" of the club.

"The club have been exploring the option of external investment for some time, and we believe we have found the perfect investment partner," read the statement.

"We are really excited to have completed this deal with Football International Limited."

Morrison, one of the new directors, has previously worked in scouting positions at West Ham and was a director for Altrincham between 2020 and 2022.

"As a multi-national group with partners spread across Europe and North America, we fully recognise the deep history and pride associated with Glenavon Football Club and Northern Irish football in general," he said.

"Our intention is to protect that history going forward, support the club in measured and responsible ways, and build a legacy together."

Image source, Inpho

Both Irish Cup semi-finals will be live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website as holders Dungannon Swifts face Cliftonville and Larne take on Coleraine.

On Friday, 3 April (19:45 BST) it is a repeat of last year's final with defending champions Dungannon playing Cliftonville as both sides aim to make back-to-back finals.

Irish Premiership leaders Larne face Coleraine on Saturday, 4 April (15:00 BST) for the second spot in the 2 May showpiece.

Both games will be played at Windsor Park.

Larne were the first team to book their spot in the last four with a penalty shootout victory over Glentoran last week.

Rodney McAree's Swifts defeated Championship outfit H&W Welders as 2024 winners Cliftonville overcame Loughgall to remain on track for a third successive final appearance.

In the other quarter-final, Coleraine beat Limavady United thanks to goals from Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton said that substitute Joe Gormely "had a feeling" before being introduced and scoring a 93rd minute winner against rivals Crusaders at Seaview.

The Reds dominated against the Crues but struggled to find a way past Musa Dibaga until additional time when Hale's free-kick eventually found substitute Gormley, who fired home.

Cliftonville are now unbeaten in four games in all competitions as Declan Caddell's side registered their fourth defeat in a row.

"It has to land to him and because of his prolific goalscoring record, it couldn't have fallen to a better person than Joe," Magilton told BBC Sport NI.

"Gerard [Lyttle] and Joe had a feeling, so we got him on the pitch and it is a great finish."

"Mr [Jonny] Addis is claiming he got a touch as well and listen, if you are going to win a game, it is the way to win a game and we are all delighted."

However, Crusaders manager Caddell was bemused with the late goal and believes that Addis did get a touch on Gormley's effort and was in an offside position.

The result means that the Crues remain three points ahead of the Lurgan Blues in 12th position with the sides playing each other this Saturday.

"I thought the work ethic and hunger was there and the fight was there. We may have lacked a bit of quality," Caddell said.

"It is a sore one to take in the 93rd minute. An offside goal at that, that is just salt in the wound."