Irish League Football

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Larne defender Matt Ridley has been named the Irish Premiership Player of the Month for December by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

Ridley was a key member of the Larne defence which conceded one league goal in the month, and has let in just nine in the top flight all season.

Larne are top of the table after a strong month which saw Gary Haveron's side defeat Glentoran, Crusaders and Carrick Rangers, and also draw with Linfield and Cliftonville.

"Thank you to the Football Writers for the award," said Ridley, who joined Larne from Blyth Spartans in the summer.

"We've had 14 clean sheets and as a defender you defend first and play second, and that's what I've always taken pride in. To bring that into the Irish League is something I'm immensely proud of.

"It's not possible without the full 11, but especially the boys beside me in defence."

Sean McAllister of Dungannon Swifts was second and Glentoran midfielder Cammy Palmer was third.

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Linfield boss David Healy said he was pleased with the contribution of match-winner Isaac Baird in the Blues' 1-0 Irish Cup fifth round win over Bangor.

Summer signing Baird headed home the only goal of the game from a Dane McCullough cross on 43 minutes to help Linfield into the sixth round, where they will face Championship side Limavady United.

And Healy was pleased that Baird took on advice given to him about being in the box to score more headers.

"Isaac should score more goals, I said to him before the game he should score more headers, he is six foot plus," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"Thankfully I celebrated the goal, not just because it was the breakthrough, but because he listened."

The 21-year-old has already featured 21 times for Linfield since his switch from Glenavon and Healy believes there is plenty more still to come from the midfielder.

"The good thing with Isaac is he already has had some good experience at Glenavon," he added.

"You feel like he has been around for a long time, he had a long-term injury which he is still getting fully fit from, he's still to fill out and use his big frame, but the longer he is with us the bigger small percentages we will get out of him.

"He's a big plus, zero hassle, very professional and the money we have spent on him will be money well served. He's adjusting to the full-time side of it and he will continue to improve."

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Cliftonville striker Brian Healy says his "eyes lit up" before his goal during the Reds' 3-0 victory over Dundela in the Irish Cup fifth round.

Conor Falls gave last year's runners-up the lead at the break before debutant Healy and Sean Robertson netted in the second half.

Jim Magilton's side will now play either Glenavon or Newington at Solitude in the sixth round as they aim to make the Irish Cup final for the third year in a row.

"I am absolutely delighted," Healy told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a great touch from Ryan [Curran] and my eyes lit up because I had a few chances before that that I should have tucked away but, once I hit that, I knew it was going into the back of the net."

Healy joined Cliftonville for an undisclosed fee after scoring 25 goals in 26 games for the Championship side H&W Welders.

The 21-year-old is the Reds' third January signing after the arrivals of Joseph O'Toole and Liam McStravick.

"Once a team like Cliftonville come calling, you can't say no," he continued.

"I grew up as a kid playing for St Oliver Plunkett and have watched Cliftonville matches before when they have been in finals with my family, so it is a club that I grew up supporting."

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says he didn't want to "read the headlines tomorrow that the holders had fallen at the first fence" after his side comfortably overcame Ards 3-0 to begin their cup defence.

After a fast start at Stangmore Park, Sean McAllister broke the deadlock after 15 minutes.

Junior and Tiernan Kelly then fired past Marc Matthews later in the half to give the home side breathing space.

"We are not going to give it [the Irish Cup] up without a fight," McAree told BBC Radio Ulster.

"We wanted to get over this round as we didn't want to wake up and read the headlines tomorrow that the holders have fallen at the first fence.

"We wanted to make sure we bypassed Ards, which was a tricky tie for us."

After a challenging start to the campaign, the Swifts are now on an impressive run and sit fifth in the Irish Premiership, losing just one of their last seven games.

They have further strengthened their squad in January by signing Shea Gordon and Corey Smith with McAree adding he believes this is the best side that Dungannon have ever had.

"I do," McAree replied when asked did he think this squad was Dungannon's strongest.

"When I look around the changing room and see the players left out of the squad and coming back into the squad, we have done well assembling a very strong squad with depth.

"The biggest thing about us is we are together, everyone is fighting for each other, and everyone is pulling in the same direction which I think is important."

The holders will now travel to face either Portadown or Annagh United in the sixth round.

The fifth round match between local rivals Portadown and Annagh was postponed due to a frozen pitch and is now due to be played on Tuesday, 13 January at Shamrock Park.

"It's a Mid-Ulster derby whatever way you look at it," he continued.

"Everyone wants a home draw, but all we wanted to do was make sure we were in the draw and we have done that.

"We look forward to seeing who we get and that tie when it comes around."

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter praised the character of his squad during their 5-1 victory against Queen's University at Taylors Avenue in the Irish Cup fifth round.

Adam Lecky and Aidan Steele put Carrick ahead before Ronan Young pulled one back for the away side.

However, goals from Joe Crowe, Matthew Snoddy and Danny Gibson after the restart guaranteed it was Stephen Baxter's side who would advance to the next round.

"You saw the response of the team [from the 7-0 Glentoran loss] which was absolutely magnificent," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"How they passed the ball, how they got into great areas to score and then scored five and missed five.

"That tells you a lot about the character of the squad and we were able to get players who were hurt back into the squad and get two new players in which helps the squad."

The Premiership side will now host Coleraine at Taylors Avenue in the sixth round.

Queen's University manager James Lavery also praised Baxter's side and added that they "clicked" during the match.

"The third goal after 15 minutes in the second half really killed it for us and it was a bit too far at that point," said Lavery.

"I am proud of the players. I think we gave a good account of ourseleves.

"Full credit to Carrick, they were very, very good. It is a great squad of players, but I think it really clicked for them today."

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The draw for the sixth round of the Irish Cup was made on Saturday evening, with Championship promotion challengers Limavady United against Linfield one of the confirmed last-16 ties.

In an all-Premiership encounter, Carrick Rangers will host Coleraine at Taylors Avenue, while H&W Welders will be at home to Ballymacash Rangers.

The other matches will see Cliftonville play Glenavon or Newington at Solitude and holders Dungannon Swifts away to either Portadown or Annagh United.

The winner of the postponed Ballymena United-Larne fifth-round tie will be away to Lisburn Distillery or Warrenpoint Town.

Strabane Athletic or Glentoran will take on Drumaness Mills, while Knockbreda or Loughgall will entertain Ballinamallard United or Institute.

The sixth-round ties are scheduled for Friday 6 February and Saturday 7 February.

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side "scored some really good goals" during their 4-0 Irish Cup fifth round victory over Crusaders at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

After a goalless first half, Brendan Hamilton was dismissed just after the restart with Mark Connolly breaking the deadlock from the resulting free-kick.

Will Patching, James Akintunde and Joel Cooper then netted to give the home side a comfortable advantage and secure their spot in the sixth round.

"It has worked out to be a good night for us," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"We weren't brilliant in the first half, but we looked like the team who looked like going in front, so I was happy enough.

"The sending off comes at a really good time for us and we scored from the free-kick so, from that moment on, it was going to be tough for Crusaders. We remained professional and scored some really good goals."

January signings Connolly and Akintunde have made an instant impact since joining the club with both netting on just their second appearance.

The victory means that the Bannsiders return to winning ways after a disappointing 3-0 loss against Larne in the Irish Premiership last weekend with Higgins adding that the side are improving.

"Connolly has got that aggression and desire to win football matches," he continued.

"We are getting closer to what we wanted to look like and what we think will help make this club successful.

"Listen, we just keep plugging away and trying to win games of football."

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Crusaders manager Declan Caddell says his side's 4-0 loss against Coleraine in the fifth round of the Irish Cup is a "steep learning curve" for the north Belfast outfit.

Brendan Hamilton was dismissed just after the restart with Mark Connolly opening the scoring from the resulting free-kick.

Coleraine then extended their advantage through Will Patching, James Akintunde and Joel Cooper to secure the first spot in the sixth round of the Irish Cup.

"I thought we restricted them to shots from distance in the first half, but with that extra man their quality showed in the end," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"They are able to find that extra man floating about and pull you to pieces. It is a steep learning curve for some of the younger lads.

"I can't be prouder as they left everything on the pitch and didn't stop until the final whistle and, as a manager, that is all you can ask for."

The defeat puts to an end the Crues' three game winning run and is their fifth 4-0 defeat of the season.

Crusaders currently sit tenth in the Irish Premiership on 24 points with Caddell adding his side have to "wipe off" the disappointment of the Irish Cup as attentions return to the league.

"You just have to wipe it off. We have been in this situation before this season. We have taken a couple of heavy defeats and bounced back," he continued.

"Everyone wants to be in the Irish Cup and we would have preferred a better draw to be honest but congratulations to Coleraine.

"Our focus now has to go onto the league, build momentum and no distractions."

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Strabane Athletic's Cathal McShane said his side want to "give a good account" of themselves when they host Irish Premiership heavyweights Glentoran in the Irish Cup fifth round on Saturday (13:30 GMT).

Strabane, who won promotion to the Premier Intermediate lead for the first time last year, welcome the title-chasing Glens to the Melvin Park Arena hoping to spring an upset.

As Mo Mahon's side prepare for the biggest game in the club's history, Tyrone All-Ireland winning forward McShane wants his teammates to embrace the challenge of facing Declan Devine's team, who have won their past four league games.

"It's a big day for the town and for the community. It's good to have the game being played at home in your own venue," he told BBC Sport NI.

"When we got Glentoran there was a bit of banter in the group chat then it was head down, work hard and prep as best as possible. We're looking forward to it."

The 30-year-old points to Strabane's performances in the BetMcLean Cup this season as proof they can compete with sides in leagues above them.

McShane scored an extra-time winner to help them beat Championship side Loughgall 3-2 at Lakeview Park in the first round and they raced into a two-goal lead against holders Cliftonville at Solitude in the next round, only to ultimately succumb to 5-2 defeat.

"Down in Strabane anything can happen. Earlier in the season we went to Cliftonville and were 2-0 up, had a great start and we'll be aiming to do similar to that," he added.

"We beat Loughgall in the round before that in the BetMcLean Cup, so there's good talent there [in the squad] and we'll give a good account and see how we fare."

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Cliftonville have announced the signing of H&W Welders forward Brian Healy for an undisclosed fee.

The 21-year-old previously featured in the Irish Premiership with Newry City and then enjoyed two productive loan spells with Ballyclare Comrades.

He signed for the Welders in July 2025 and hit the ground running in east Belfast, netting 25 goals in 26 games in all competitions, including four in his final appearance for the club against Armagh City.

Healy becomes the Reds' third January signing after the arrivals of Joseph O'Toole and Liam McStravick and will be part of the squad for their Irish Cup fifth round tie against Dundela on Saturday.

Cliftonville also confirmed that full-back Conor Barr has returned to Derry City following the conclusion of his loan spell at the club.

The 20-year-old made 13 appearances during his time at the north Belfast outfit.

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Crusaders have announced the signing of defender Cameron Bruce on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

The 20-year-old joins from Airdrieonians, who he made 10 appearances for, and will add to Declan Caddell's side's defensive options.

Bruce is the first signing that Caddell has made since the transfer window opened as the north Belfast side attempt to extend their unbeaten run to more than three games and move further clear of the bottom two in the Irish Premiership.

"We are delighted to add Cammy to the squad," Caddell told Crusaders media after the announcement.

"He is a player we have been watching for a while and when the opportunity came to sign him, we jumped at it.

"He is a very talented player who will fit in really well with the group."

The Crues travel to the Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday night to face the Bannsiders in the fifth round of the Irish Cup with the match live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.