Irish League Football

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Linfield manager David Healy says it was "frustrating we haven't won" as his side had to settle for a scoreless draw at home to league leaders Larne on Friday.

The result saw Larne increase their lead at the top to 11 points with Linfield 16 behind, albeit with a game in hand, and Healy felt his side could have found a winner late on.

Euan East was forced off in the first half with an injury as Darragh Leahy came on for his debut and while Healy took come positives from the game, he was nonetheless disappointed his side could claim the three points.

"We've done enough to win, especially late on, but realistically, Larne are the in-form team in the league and we're all chasing them," the Linfield manager told BBC Sport NI.

"The two injuries we received early certainly didn't help us, but the subs came on with Darragh on for his debut [were a positive]. I was wary of starting Dara tonight having not played since late October.

"I was pleased with the effort, pleased with the performance, but frustrated and disappointed we haven't won the game."

It was the second scoreless draw in the league for Linfield as they were held at Carrick Rangers on Tuesday, but Healy felt the performance against Larne was an improvement.

"Down to 10 men against Carrick the other night, you're still hoping you can create the golden chance to get the goal but we didn't," he continued.

"There have been other times lately where I felt the level of performance just hasn't been where it should be and the players understand that.

"We have no divine right right to win league titles year-on-year. You have to work year-on-year to achieve that and I've always said the hardest thing to maintain is success."

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Linfield have confirmed that winger Callumn Morrison has left the club to join Dunfermline Athletic FC for an undisclosed fee.

The 26-year-old made 26 appearances in the Irish Premiership for David Healy's side and scored four goals.

Morrison has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Scottish Championship outfit Dunfermline, who are managed by former Northern Ireland international Neil Lennon.

The winger had joined the Blues from Falkirk last February on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

"We would like to place on record our thanks to Callumn for his contribution during his time at Windsor Park," the defending Irish Premiership champions said after the announcement.

"Everyone at the club wishes him every success in his future career."

This news follows the announcement that David Healy's side had signed defender Darragh Leahy on an 18-month contract from Waterford FC.

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Coleraine boss Ruaidhri Higgins believes league leaders Larne "have one hand on the trophy" but there’s still "plenty of football to be played".

The Bannsiders are second in the table, 10 points behind Larne having played a game more.

Speaking before their Irish Premiership game against Crusaders, Higgins hopes his side can keep pace with the Invermen and capitalise on any of their slip-ups.

"Larne are in an absolutely brilliant position, fair play to them. Their points tally is through the roof, so credit to them, but, there's still a lot of football to be played," he said.

"You have to say they have one hand on the trophy but, also, football's a funny old game. We just need to focus on ourselves.

"We can't control what others do but what I would like is that we can put ourselves in a position that if they so slip at any point that we take advantage of it.

"We've still a lot to salvage, we still have a lot to play for this season and we just need to keep focused on winning matches and try and put ourselves in a position where we at least make them earn it."

Coleraine host Crusaders a week on from their 4-0 victory over Declan Caddell’s side in the Irish Cup fifth round and Higgins expects a different challenge from the Crues at the Showgrounds.

"This is going to be a completely different kettle of fish and there will no complacency from us," Higgins added.

"We'll give them the utmost respect as they deserve and we'll do everything to try and win the game."

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Crusaders have announced that club captain Jarlath O'Rourke has been placed on the transfer list with immediate effect.

O'Rourke has made 246 appearances for the north Belfast side after arriving from Dungannon Swifts in 2019 and has won two Irish Cups during his time with the club.

In a statement released on Thursday, Crusaders confirmed the 30-year-old is available for transfer after failing to sign a new deal at Seaview.

"The club had offered Jarlath a new and improved contract, which also included the award of a testimonial season in recognition of his significant service to Crusaders FC," the statement said.

"Despite multiple attempts by the club to reach an agreement and secure his long-term future, the player has declined to commit by refusing to sign the proposed deal.

"As a result, the club has taken the decision to place Jarlath O'Rourke on the transfer list with immediate effect."

Elsewhere, Clifonville have announced the signing of defender Aidan Kelly.

The 22-year-old returns to the club after a spell in America at the University of Masachussetts Amherst.

He becomes Cliftonville’s fourth January arrival.

Ballymena have added English goalkeeper Brad Wade on a deal until the end of the season while Bangor have signed Welsh defender Iestyn Hughes.

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Larne captain Tomas Cosgrove says the Inver Reds "took their foot off the gas" against Glentoran, despite winning 4-1 at the Oval.

The deadlock was broken during an action-packed match after just seven minutes when former Glens midfielder Paul O'Neill converted a penalty before Daniel Larmour levelled the game.

Ryan Cooney was then dismissed for a clumsy challenge on Sean Graham with Larne taking advantage of the extra man and Cricky Gallagher, O'Neill and Cosgrove all netting.

"Good result, probably not the best performance," Cosgrove told BBC Sport NI.

"I think Glentoran held their own. They were on top of us for large parts of the game.

"We went in front and took our foot off the gas, sat back and let them come into the game when we should have went for them. Maybe the red card changed the game."

Larne had made a bright start to the game and were denied by the crossbar in the opening two minutes before opening the scoring shortly after.

However, they struggled to build on that momentum, with the home side able to find a leveller.

After Cooney's dismissal, the Inver Reds were clinical and ran out the comfortable victors in the end.

"It was brilliant [timing to score the second goal] as we weren't playing well at all. I don't know what it was and we can't blame anything," he continued.

"Cricky scores that goal. I am actually screaming for the ball out wide, I was raging that he took a shot and then it snuck into the bottom corner, and I thought 'good decision Cricky!'"

"It was brilliant to go in 2-1 in front and it gives you a bit more confidence going into the second half."

Gary Haveron's side now sit 10 points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership and have played one game less than Coleraine in second.

They now face defending champions Linfield, who have won just one of their last five league games.

"It is obviously great," Cosgrove replied when asked about having a comfortable advantage at the top of the table.

"I'm going to give the boring answer, it is one game at a time. I have seen a lot of strange things happen in football.

"There is no bigger game in the league than Linfield, the champions, so we have to go and put on a good performance and hopefully get the three points."

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The Irish Cup sixth-round game between Limavady United and Linfield will be shown live on BBC Sport NI.

The Roesiders, who are second in the Championship, will welcome the reigning Irish Premiership champions to the Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday 6 February (19:45 GMT).

Limavady booked their spot in the next round with a commanding 4-1 win over Lisburn Rangers on Saturday, while the Blues beat Bangor 1-0 in an all-Premiership encounter at Windsor Park.

Linfield are chasing a record-extending 45th Irish Cup triumph and first since 2021 after being knocked out in the sixth round by Glentoran last season.

The game will be live-streamed on the BBC iPlayer, BBC Sport NI website and BBC Sport app.

There are four rescheduled Irish Cup fifth-round games taking place on Tuesday night after falling victim to wintry conditions last weekend.

Ballinamallard United host Institute, Glenavon entertain Newington and Portadown take on neighbours Annagh United (all 19:45 GMT), while Warrenpoint Town face Lisburn (20:00 GMT).

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Ballymena United goalkeeper Sean O'Neill is to retire following Tuesday's Irish Premiership game against Cliftonville.

The 37-year-old began his career with the Braidmen when moving from Glentoran's U18s in 2005 and initially made 18 appearances before a move to Dungannon Swifts in 2010.

After one season with the Tyrone outfit, he then joined Crusaders where he spent the bulk of his career, winning three Premiership titles, plus Irish Cup, League Cup, County Antrim Shields and Setanta Cup medals during his 11 years at Seaview.

An initial loan move to Ballymena United in 2022 became permanent as O'Neill's career came full circle.

"Tomorrow night v Cliftonville will be my last game for Ballymena United and will bring down the curtain on my playing career," O'Neill confirmed in a statement on social media.

"I've had 20-plus years of memories, friendships and battles that I am truly grateful for.

I would like to thank Ballymena, Crusaders and Dungannon for giving me the opportunities to play in our league and to the managers who trusted me with playing."

O'Neill, who also represented Antrim in Gaelic football, will seek to go out on a high in the final game of a career which has spanned over two decades.

In statement, Ballymena United paid tribute to the shot-stopper who made a significant impact during his spells with the club.

"Tomorrow night marks the end of an era in the Irish League as Sean O'Neill plays the final game of his illustrious career at the Showgrounds against Cliftonville," they said.

"During two spells at the Showgrounds, Sean has made 165 appearances, keeping 40 clean sheets for Ballymena United - the fifth highest in the history of the club.

"Everyone connected with the club wishes him well in his retirement from playing and his future career as a coach."