Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Two of Larne's Irish Premiership fixtures have been postponed due to the European commitments of the Inver Park side.

Larne's home game with Limavady United on 22 August has been postponed, as has a trip to Ballymena United the following Saturday.

Gary Haveron's side are the last Irish Premiership club standing in Europe this season and are in the final qualifying round for the Uefa Conference League.

They will face either Lincoln Red Imps of Gibraltar or Omonia Nicosia of Cyprus in the play-off round, as they look to reach the league phase of the third tier of European competition for the second time, after their historic success in 2024.

The away leg of the play-off round will take place on Thursday, 20 August before the return leg at Inver Park on 27 August.

Saturday's game at Coleraine is set to go ahead as scheduled and it will be Larne's first of the new league campaign.

The club's season opener last Saturday against Bangor was also postponed.

The Northern Ireland Football League says that new dates for the postponed games will be issued in due course.

Image source, Pacemaker

Cliftonville Ladies extended their lead at the top of the NIFL Women's Premiership with a come-from-behind 3-1 win over Linfield Women at Midgley Park.

Heading into the game, the Reds held a five-point advantage over the south Belfast side in second, but that is now out to eight following this win, although they have played a game more.

The result keeps Linfield level with Glentoran Women who have a game in hand on their cross-town rivals.

It looked like Linfield were on course for a good night when Eve Reilly gave them a second-minute lead, but this would be as it got for the hosts.

Teegan Lynch would level the game in the 39th minutes to ensure it was level at half-time.

It would get even better for the Solitude side after the break as Toni-Leigh Finnegan gave them the lead just before the hour mark.

The issue was settled 15 minutes from time when Lynch grabbed her second of the game to ensure her side has put further daylight on their nearest challengers.

All three are all away from home this Friday with the Reds visiting Lisburn Rangers, while Linfield Women travel to the Ryan McBride Brandywell to face Derry City Women and Glentoran Women are at Larne Women. All games are 19:45 BST.

In Friday's other game, Crusaders Strikers host Lisbun Ladies at 20:00 BST.

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."

Image source, Pacemaker Press

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."