Irish League Football

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says he would "have liked us to put the game to bed" despite the 2-0 win against Bangor at the Showgrounds.

Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin found the net within the first 15 minutes as the Bannsiders made a flying start which ultimately decided the destination of the points, but Higgins felt his team could have made their night a little more comfortable.

Bangor had their chances to pull one back towards the end of the first half and in the second, but failed to capitalise, while Coleraine also had further opportunities with Shevlin denied by the offside flag prior to his goal.

Still, it was a successful evening for the league leaders who remain top on goal difference.

"In the first half hour, we were brilliant," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"We got ourselves two in front; I'd liked us to have smelt blood and got a third because when you get a third it's dead and buried whereas at 2-0 it's precarious.

"They had some opportunities to make it 2-1 but Ryan [Schofield] has made a brilliant save. We've a clean sheet, won 2-0 and created a lot of opportunities, so we've got to be happy, but I'd have liked us to put the game to bed."

Schofield was making his first competitive appearance for the club after an injury in picked up in pre-season had kept him sidelined.

Higgins was delighted to have the Englishman available with Aidan Harris absent.

"Ryan had a serious shoulder injury and the timing of his return is good because Aidan picked up an injury," Higgins continued.

"Jamie Glackin was unavailable tonight as his partner's had a baby - congratulations to them.

"We've had quite a few players unavailable for us tonight, so it was great to get Ryan on the pitch. He's a top goalkeeper and that's why we've brought him here."

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Bangor manager Lee Feeney says his is "pleased by the reaction" of his players despite their 2-0 defeat at Coleraine on Friday.

It was a nightmare start for the Seasiders as Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin had the league leaders two goals ahead after the first quarter of an hour.

However, Bangor rallied and carved out opportunities to get back into the game, but failed to pull a goal back which would have given them fresh impetus.

"The first 20, 25 minutes we were a bit shell-shocked," Feeney told BBC Sport NI.

"After that, we fixed a few things - the players fixed it - and we perhaps shaded it. The first half we finished really strong and didn't want half-time to come and then in the second half we felt if we could get the next goal it would change things.

"We had chances and didn't get it, but I'm really pleased by the reaction after the first 20 minutes. We have to be clinical and when you play teams like Coleraine, you have to take those chances."

Next up for Bangor is a home fixture against Cliftonville - whom they beat on opening weekend - and while Feeney acknowledges it will be a tough test, feels his side can"take a bit of heart" from their performance in Coleraine.

"They are in a false position in my eyes but are getting a bit of rhythm now," he said if the Reds.

"It's another footballing side with their rotation and movement. We usually deal with that well, but [tonight] Cooper showed his class there for the first goal and Patrick [Solis-Grogan] took responsibility for the second, saying he should have collected it.

"After that, I never felt they cut us open and with the rotation, I felt they ran out of ideas. We'll take a bit of heart from it. We never like losing, but if we are going to lose games you want to go down fighting and we did that."

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The Irish Cup fifth-round game between Coleraine and Crusaders will be shown live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website.

In one of three all-Premiership ties, Ruaidhri Higgins' side will welcome the Crues to the Coleraine Showgrounds on Friday, 9 January at 19:45 GMT.

Coleraine last won the Irish Cup in 2018, beating Cliftonville 3-1 in the final.

Crusaders won back-to-back Irish Cups in 2022 and 2023, defeating Ballymena United in both finals.

The Bannsiders lead the Irish Premiership table, while Declan Caddell's side languish in 10th after a difficult start to the season.

Coleraine have won both the league meetings between the two sides at Seaview this season.

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Larne boss Gary Haveron expects Glentoran will "come and have a go" when the sides meet at Inver Park on Friday (19:45 GMT) in a game that will be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.

The Inver Park side are second in the table on goal difference and are unbeaten in their previous eight league games.

Glentoran are eight points behind in fourth after an inconsistent run, but Haveron is wary of the attacking talent the Glens possess as the two teams prepare to meet for the first time this season.

"They're a massive threat and they'll come here and have a go, you have to when you're a team like Glentoran," Haveron told BBC Sport NI.

"They'll not sit off us, they'll come here and try win the game and that's what we want, two teams to come out and have a go, it sets up a really interesting game."

Larne enjoyed victories over leaders Coleraine and fellow top-half side Dungannon Swifts during their winning run in November, and they began December with a 0-0 home draw against champions Linfield.

Haveron is hopeful for another positive result against the Glens to help Larne keep pace at the top of the table despite their difficult run of fixtures.

"We've had a big month; we had Coleraine, then Dungannon, then coming into the Blues and the Glens off the back of each other, it's four tough games against the top four teams in the league," he added.

"They're all going to be nip and tuck, there isn't going to be much in it. Right now, we're seven [points] from nine, if you told me that at the start of the run I would have taken it."

Glentoran assistant Paddy McCourt wants his side to build on their dominant second-half display against Cliftonville last weekend, where they fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 at the Oval.

"Larne away is a big game, always a tough game," he said.

"We're going into it off the back of a really good second-half performance and hopefully that will give us confidence going into the game."

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Tuesday's north Belfast derby between Crusaders and Cliftonville at Seaview has been postponed due to Storm Bram.

An amber weather warning was put in place due to high winds in County Antrim from 14:00 GMT until 19:00 GMT - 45 minutes before the scheduled kick-off at Seaview.

A yellow warning for wind remains in place for Belfast until 22:00 GMT on Tuesday.

The Northern Ireland Football League said the game was called off "due to the impact of Storm Bram, following agreement by both clubs".

Crusaders have struggled this season and sit 10th in the table with 11 defeats in 18 league matches, and manager Declan Caddell called Saturday's 4-0 home defeat by Portadown an "embarrassment" and a "disgrace".

Jim Magilton's Reds, who threw away a two-goal lead in Saturday's draw with Glentoran, are sixth - eight points ahead of their rivals.

Tuesday's game was set to be the first north Belfast derby in the Irish Premiership this season but Cliftonville beat Crusaders 2-0 in the County Antrim Shield in September.

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Irish Premiership leaders Coleraine will host Crusaders in the fifth round of the Irish Cup.

It is one of three all-Irish Premiership ties as the 12 top-flight sides and 12 Championship teams entered the draw.

Larne, looking to win the competition for the first time, will travel to Ballymena United while record 44-time winners Linfield will host Bangor.

Holders Dungannon Swifts will start their defence against Championship outfit Ards while Cliftonville, last year's beaten finalists, will also host second-tier opposition in Dundela.

Annagh United will make the short trip to Portadown after the Championship side stunned the Ports in last year's fifth round.

Glenavon, who are bottom of the Irish Premiership got a home draw against Newington, while Glentoran will head west to face Premier Intermediate side Strabane Athletic.

Carrick Rangers, who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of their famous 1976 Irish Cup win next year, host Queen's University.

Comber Rec will travel to Ballymacash Rangers, H&W Welders travel to Moyola Park, Limavady United host Lisburn Rangers and Armagh City take on Drumaness Mills.

Lisburn Distillery host Warrenpoint Town, Ballinamallard United take on fellow Championship side Institute and Knockbreda will take on Loughgall.

Irish Cup fifth round draw

Lisburn Distillery v Warrenpoint Town

Coleraine v Crusaders

Portadown v Annagh United

Ballymacash Rangers v Comber Rec

Ballinamallard United v Institute

Glenavon v Newington

Dungannon Swifts v Ards

Carrick Rangers v Queen's University

Limavady United v Lisburn Rangers

Ballymena United v Larne

Armagh City v Drumaness Mills

Knockbreda v Loughgall

Moyola Park v H&W Welders

Linfield v Bangor

Cliftonville v Dundela

Strabane Athletic v Glentoran

Ties to be played on 9-10 January.

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Larne boss Gary Haveron is the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association manager of the month for November.

November was a superb month for Larne, who enjoyed a 100% record in the Irish Premiership with wins over Ballymena United, Portadown, Glenavon, Coleraine and Dungannon Swifts.

It is the second time Haveron has won the monthly award this year, after claiming the prize in September when he initially stood in after Nathan Rooney's departure from the club.

"It's always an honour to win this award. I would like to thank the Football Writers' Association for picking me once again. However, our recent good form is a team effort," Haveron said.

"I must thank my coaching staff and the players.

"Although we've had a couple of disappointing results in the cup competitions, we performed well in the league. Long may that continue."

Haveron's award completed a November for Larne after midfielder Mark Randall was named player of the month.

After winning the award, Larne drew with title rivals Linfield at Inver Park on Friday and are second on the table behind Coleraine on goal difference.

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Glenavon manager Michael O'Connor believes Bangor should not have been awarded a penalty which helped them to a 2-1 win over the bottom side.

Jack Malone gave the Mourneview Park hosts an early lead before referee Shane Andrews pointed to the spot after keeper Mark Byrne collided with Bangor's Michael Morgan.

Ben Arthurs converted the penalty and then headed in to earn the Seasiders victory.

"For the penalty, I know Mark's (Byrne) got the ball first - I've watched it back on video about five times," said O'Connor.

"He's punched the ball out for a throw-in, and the referee's given a penalty. That's his decision, and we have to respect it. I think he's wrong, that's my opinion."

O'Connor was frustrated that his team conceded again so soon after the penalty.

"We seemed to drop off for five or 10 minutes, and they scored again four or five minutes later - not good enough, not acceptable.

"When something goes against us - reset, get back into shape in the next five minutes, stay compact, and get back into the game.

"But it went 2-1 and suddenly they're holding onto the lead. It's frustrating for us."

The defeat leaves Glenavon seven points adrift at the bottom.

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Bangor boss Lee Feeney hailed his team's defensive display as they came from behind to edge bottom side Glenavon 2-1 at Mourneview Park.

Jack Malone put the Lurgan hosts in front before two first-half goals from Ben Arthurs clinched victory.

The victory was Bangor's first in seven league games and leaves them seventh in the table.

"That's a massive three points for us," said Feeney.

"We suffered that whole second half. We could not come to terms with the way they played - I thought they were fantastic after the break. We had to defend, and we hardly had the ball.

"They were magnificent, but at the same time, we were also magnificent in the way we defended. That's a massive win for us. Massive, massive win."

Feeney added that his team's mental strength was vital during their winless run.

"It does become a concern, but the thing is, we haven't been playing badly.

"We've lost games we felt we didn't deserve to lose and perhaps could have won a few, but we stuck to our tasks.

"The boys have a really good mentality, and we keep saying it. They always know we're going to turn the corner."

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Glentoran assistant manager Paddy McCourt says he was disappointed not to beat Cliftonville despite the Oval hosts battling back from two down to draw 2-2.

The Reds went in 2-0 in front at the break thanks to goals from Thomas Lavery and Joe Sheridan.

Glentoran hit back in the second half as David Fisher pulled one back before James Singleton netted the equaliser.

"We conceded two goals in the first half without playing that badly - I thought we were in control of the game for half an hour without creating a lot of chances," said McCourt.

"We got hit by conceding two really poor goals. The lads gave us a mountain to climb.

"We had a chat at half-time - we built a bit of momentum, the crowd got behind us and to be honest I'm disappointed we didn't get all three points."

Glentoran were without manager Declan Devine in the dugout against the Reds because of illness.

McCourt was much happier with the display in the second period.

"We played with a bit more intent and played more on the front foot and with more intensity.

"We're probably unlucky not to score four or five goals in the second half."

The result leaves the Glens eight points behind leaders Coleraine while the Reds sit sixth.

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Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter says his side played "superbly well" despite being defeated 3-1 by Coleraine.

Adam Lecky's goal gave the away side the lead at the break with Carrick having numerous chances to give themselves a more comfortable advantage.

However, the Bannsiders registered three goals in the second half to seal the three points.

"Their keeper makes a worldie of a save [to deny Lecky] and otherwise it was 2-0 and we were going to coast home," Baxter told BBC Sport NI.

"We were well on top in this game and we played superbly well, our level of performance was stunning.

"We had Coleraine where we wanted them. The late goals have killed us, like they did at Windsor Park."

Carrick Rangers sit in eleventh position with 16 points and one point behind Crusaders in 10th.

However, their opponents Coleraine now move top of the table on goal difference.

"The results will show you that the top four are breaking away and if you're spending four or five times the money between the top six and the bottom six, you are always going to get that degree of split," Baxter continued.

"I never envy anyone around money, you get what you pay for and the pressure when you spend that money is you need to deliver.

"If Coleraine don't deliver a title, the pressure is on them and it's the same for Glentoran, Linfield and Larne and there can only be one winner."

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Coleraine manager Ruaidhri Higgins says his side showed "courage" during their 3-1 victory over Carrick Rangers at the Coleraine Showgrounds.

Adam Lecky's strike gave the away side the lead at the break, however, an own goal and efforts from Jamie McGonigle and Dean Jarvis completed Coleraine's comeback.

The result means the Bannsiders move top of the Irish Premiership table but Larne, in second, have played two less games.

"I had absolutely no doubts in my mind about what type of game it was going to be," Higgins told BBC Sport NI.

"I didn't go in with the same reaction as I did in the Larne game [at half-time], it was a different type of performance I thought we were energetic, but we lacked that final bit.

"In the second half we showed a lot of guts and courage and got it over the line."

Carrick Rangers had multiple chances to add to their tally in the first half and were denied by the woodwork.

Shortly after the restart, Newcastle United loanee Harris was called into action again and made a stretched save to deny Lecky's strike from a Joe Crowe free-kick with Higgins adding the stop was "world class".

"I think it was the moment that won us the game," Higgins continued.

"In my opinion, the game turned at that moment.

"It is genuinely a world class save and an 18-year-old in his first venture into senior football and it's a moment that, in my opinion, won us the game as we went from strength to strength from then on."