Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Portadown manager David Jeffrey said his new club are a side with "a history and heritage".

The 63-year-old is returning to management to add to his over 20 years of experience in the Irish League after three years out.

The Ports finished eighth last season and have had a busy transfer window with six new players joining the side.

"I have, it took several weeks to appreciate the privilege of being appointed Portadown's new manager, but I am quite comfortable with it," Jeffrey told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a very considered decision; my partner Rose was recovering from breast cancer and thank God she is in a good place. That was pivotal.

"The history of the club is amazing, particularly what Ronnie McFall did was outstanding and it is a club with a history and heritage."

After a comfortable season last year, former Ports player Philip Major believes the side will also avoid a relegation battle this upcoming campaign.

"I think Portadown will be OK this season," he continued.

"One thing that they had last season and retained this season is a really good leadership group amongst the players.

"I don't think David Jeffrey will change a lot as they have good leaders. I always look at their dressing room and think it is a good dressing room. Jeffrey has inherited a good squad."

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Glentoran captain Marcus Kane said being at the east Belfast side for so long has "changed" him.

Kane has been captain of the Glens for 10 of his 15 seasons so far and has won the Irish Cup on three occasions.

Now, he will aim to help the side to secure silverware after they failed to win any last campaign.

"It is a good achievement and one I am very proud of," Kane told BBC Sport NI.

"To represent a club at any level, but to captain is special. It has changed me and I am now a Glentoran fan, my family are all Glentoran.

"It could have been hard for me, but the fans have been more than nice to me and welcomed me and my family."

The Glens finished third last year and Kane believes the league has got stronger over the summer.

Manager Declan Devine has brought in three new signings as the side aim to push for their first Irish Premiership since 2008-09.

"A lot of teams have strengthened," he continued.

"The league as a brand has got better and better. No team are just showing up, you have to bring your game to get three points."

Image source, Presseye

Larne manager Gary Haveron says his squad will "embrace the challenge" of trying to come away from Tbilisi with a positive result in the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie against FC Iberia 1999 next week.

The Irish Premiership champions drew 0-0 with their Georgian opponents in their first leg encounter at Inver Park on Thursday night.

"I can't wait for the game to come. We're going into their back yard and if we're going to do it we're going to have to do it the hard way," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

The Larne boss praised his side for creating the better scoring opportunities in the match.

"I thought in the first half we were excellent. We probably created all the clearcut chances in the game," he said.

"I think we'll kick ourselves that we didn't come away with a result with the chances we created.

"The dominance we had for periods. Obviously they are a very good side but I thought we were very, very good.

"The start of the second half we started really well, but maybe lost our way a little midway through the second half, but I thought the boys were excellent from start to finish.

"We take a great deal of confidence from this performance, the only disappointment is that we haven't come away with a win."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Limavady United midfielder Oisin Duffy said the side aim to be "competing in every game" on their return to the Irish Premiership for the first time in 18 years.

Limavady won promotion to the top flight after topping the Championship table by nine points last year.

The promotion is the side's second in three years under manager Paul Owens and they will take confidence into this campaign after knocking Linfield out of the Irish Cup last season.

"The goal is hopefully we will be competing and we are not trying to come up to go straight back down," Duffy told BBC Sport NI.

"Hopefully we are going to be competing in every game, putting it up to teams and hopefully we can get a lot of good results throughout the season."

It is a challenging start to the campaign for Limavady with a trip to face Glentoran at the Oval up first before matches against Carrick Rangers, defending champions Larne and then Linfield.

Despite the tough opening fixtures, Duffy added the side are ready and "looking forward to the first game of the season".

"I am buzzing for the season to start now," he continued.

"Pre-season has been really good and a lot of work has gone in. We have done really well and we are ready for it now.

"We are very nearly there and looking forward to the first game against Glentoran."

Jana McCabe
BBC Sport NI journalist

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Bangor manager Lee Feeny said his side are prepared for a "harder" second season back in the top flight.

The Seasiders made a bright start to the last campaign and finished 10th, behind Ballymena United on goal difference.

However, they struggled for momentum as the season progressed with Feeney acknowledging his side still have room for improvement.

"We enjoyed last season and we have learnt a lot," Feeney told BBC Sport NI.

"We are coming into this year with more experience under our belts, but we know it is going to be tough and a harder season than last year.

"But also we are capable of a lot of improvement for next season. We are looking forward to it."

Feeney has added to his squad and brought in further Irish League experience through former Portadown defender Steven McCullough.

Lucas McRoberts and Jeremi Rodriguez have also joined the club as they aim to avoid 'second season syndrome'.

"We all see a lot of each other as the games are televised," he continued.

"Having the experience of last season will help us as last season, we didn't have too many players that had played in the Premiership before.

"However, this year most have had plenty of games and have learnt a lot."