Irish League Football

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."

Image source, BBC Sport

Limavady United's 18-year long wait for Irish Premiership football is nearly over.

The Roesiders' fans have had plenty to cheer about in recent campaigns after two promotions in three seasons.

Paul Owens' side defeated Linfield last year in the Irish Cup and will take confidence after the bravery that his side have shown against top flight opposition.

However, with many of the teams who finished in the bottom six last campaign strengthening, he will know it will be a tough task this season.

As a result, the club have had a busy transfer window and brought in plenty of players who know the league such as Aaron Jarvis and Daniel Lafferty.

Striker John Butcher impressed in the Championship last season and scored 20 goals to help the side gain promotion and Owens will be hoping he will be able to help his side avoid a relegation battle.

Last year: 1st in Championship

Manager: Paul Owens

New signings: Sean Carlin, Aaron Jarvis, Daniel Lafferty, Ronan Wilson, Leon Boyd, Stephen O'Donnell, Oisin Duffy, Alfie Gaston

First five fixtures: Glentoran (A), Carrick Rangers (H), Larne (A), Linfield (H), Dungannon Swifts (H)

Image source, Inpho

Ruaidhri Higgins will be aiming to make the club's centenary year one to remember and build on the momentum already made during his tenure.

Following an impressive transfer market ahead of last season, Higgins has brought in further reinforcements such as Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin as well as Ben Doherty from Derry City for this campaign.

The Bannsiders finished in second three points behind champions Larne last year and, with the calibre of their signings, there is an expectation that they will be in the title race once again.

Manager Higgins said his side must "strive for success" as he aims to guide the club to what would be just their second Gibson Cup.

However, concern for the Bannsiders will be their already lengthy injury list which includes club captain Mark Coyle.

Last season: 2nd

Manager: Ruaidhri Higgins

New signings: Ben Doherty, Jay Henderson, Conor McMenamin, Aidan Wilson, Conrad Hunt

First five fixtures: Dungannon Swifts (A), Larne (H), Carrick Rangers (A), Portadown (A), Crusaders (H)

Image source, Inpho

It was a challenging finale to the 2025-26 campaign for Dungannon Swifts after they lost the Irish Cup final before also losing the European play-off final.

However, there are plenty of positives for Rodney McAree's side to look back on after they secured a top six spot for the second year in a row.

During the off season, eight players have departed including youngster Daniel McCarron making the move to Arsenal's academy.

McAree has opted for experience and has signed Coleraine's Jamie Glackin and Kris Lowe and Barney McKeown who both played for relegated Glenavon last year.

They have also brought midfielder Michael McElhatton back to the club following a successful season at Dergview.

Last season: 6th

Manager: Rodney McAree

New signings: Jamie Glackin, Barney McKeown, Kris Lowe, Michael McElhatton

First five fixtures: Coleraine (H), Portadown (A), Bangor (H), Cliftonville (A), Limavady United (A)

Image source, Inpho

A new era begins for Portadown as David Jeffrey's first season in charge approaches.

The 63-year-old has put his own stamp on the Ports and has already brought in six new players with seven leaving the club.

A concern last season was the manner of the goals they conceded and, as a result, there has been a focus on defenders with Rhys Breen, Mikey Hewitt and Matty Carson joining the side.

Jeffrey will aim to get points on the board in their opening fixtures and will face Dungannon Swifts, Coleraine, Cliftonville, Larne and Linfield in the early weeks of the season, who all finished in the top six last year.

Portadown fans know it will take time for Jeffrey to have a major impact on the side, but they will be hoping to see progress in what looks like an exciting time for the club.

Last season: 8th

Manager: David Jeffrey

New signings: Rhys Breen, Mikey Hewitt, Matty Carson, Sean O'Mahoney, Liam Jessop, Dominic Dos Santos Martins

First five fixtures: Carrick Rangers (A), Dungannon Swifts (H), Crusaders (A), Coleraine (H), Cliftonville (A)

Image source, Inpho

After winning the league on the final day of the season, the Inver Reds will look back on the most recent campaign as one that the side overcame many obstacles to finish in style.

As focus shifted to the season ahead, the club were handed a massive blow with the news that Andy Ryan had left the side to return back to Scotland after scoring 70 goals in 121 appearances.

The striker has been influential during Larne's recent success and is a huge loss for the Inver Reds and it will be a concern that clubs around them have strengthened their attacking options as they push for the Gibson Cup themselves.

Haveron will not underplay the task at hand if his side want to defend their trophy, but an aim will also be to get their hands on the Irish Cup something that, despite their recent success, they have never managed to do.

Last year: 1st

Manager: Gary Haveron

New signings: Josh Ukek, Sam McClelland, Montel Gibson, Kevin O'Hara

First five fixtures: Bangor (H), Coleraine (A), Limavady United (H), Ballymena United (A), Glentoran (H)

Image source, Getty Images

A trophy and European football sounds like a successful season on paper but, for Linfield, they will look back at the 2025-26 season as one with plenty of moments to learn from.

It was always going to be a tough task for the Blues to follow the previous season when they lifted the Gibson Cup in convincing fashion, but their lack of consistency in the league last year is something manager David Healy will know needs to be rectified ahead of the new campaign.

During the summer, Healy was linked with the vacant Shelbourne job, but denied holding talks with the Premier Division defending champions.

It has been a busy season with player departures as well with 10 players leaving the side, including five making the move to Ballymena United.

Linfield struggled up front last year after Joel Cooper signed for Coleraine so will be hoping new attacking signing Kobei Moore, who joined from the Inver Reds after a spell at Aston Villa, will help solve their goalscoring issue as well as Kieran Offord who had an injury impacted campaign last year.

Last year: 4th

Manager: David Healy

New signings: Ryan Nolan, Dylan Wells, Aidan Galvin, Kobei Moore

First five fixtures: Ballymena United (H), Glentoran (H), Cliftonville (H), Limavady United (A), Carrick Rangers (H)

Image source, Inpho

Despite Glentoran showing plenty of signs of progress, the 2025-26 season ended with a sense of unfinished business.

After winning their first silverware in five years the previous campaign, Glentoran fans will be frustrated last campaign ended without a trophy.

However, two big positives for the Glens were that they remained in the title race for the majority of the season and secured a European spot.

They also finished runners-up in the League Cup but were knocked out of the Irish Cup and the County Antrim Shield at the quarter-final stages.

Pat Hoban impressed during his first season in the Irish Premiership and finished as top goalscorer with 25 goals.

Heading into the new campaign, Cammy Palmer leaving the side to join Livingston has left big boots to fill and the new signings will know the big expectations expected of them at the Glens.

Their European run was a far from ideal start to the new season after the side lost 4-1 on aggregate to Latvian side RFS, but Devine will now put his full attention on securing domestic silverware this year.

Last season: 3rd

Manager: Declan Devine

New signings: Greg Sloggett, Zeno Ibsen Rossi, Rhys Walsh

First five fixtures: Limavady United (H), Linfield (A), Ballymena United (A), Crusaders (H), Larne (A)

Image source, Inpho

Last season must serve as a wake-up call for Crusaders after they defeated Annagh United in the promotion/relegation play-off to keep their place in the Irish Premiership this season.

A huge loss for the side ahead of the new campaign is the departure of striker Fraser Bryden to Chesterfield.

The 22-year-old had impressed last campaign and scored 23 goals in 36 Premiership appearances and was the highlight of what was a forgettable season for the Crues.

After losing the experience of club captain Jarlath O'Rourke and Ross Clarke to Glentoran earlier in the year, they have now lost both Jonny Tuffey and Jordan Owens who have retired after a combined total of 772 appearances for the north Belfast side.

Stopper Musa Dibaga has also left the club and signed for Dunfermline Athletic with 20-year-old Shea Callister joining on loan from Derry City.

Manager Declan Caddell said the side must continue to find "rough diamonds" and has opted for youth and potential in an attempt to rebuild and make this season a lot more of an enjoyable one for Crusaders fans.

Last season: 11th

Manager: Declan Caddell

New signings: Thomas Maguire, Aaron Reid, Graham Kelly, Owen Wardell, Ryan McKay

First five fixtures: Cliftonville (A), Ballymena United (H), Portadown (H), Glentoran (A), Coleraine (A)

Image source, Inpho

After an underwhelming campaign last season, Cliftonville fans will be hoping for vast improvements this year.

The Reds lost the County Antrim Shield final on penalties before being defeated in the European play-off semi-final by Dungannon Swifts.

Manager Jim Magilton acknowledged that the 2025-56 campaign was "a really poor season and was a lot of what-ifs" while also saying the side would have to "cut our cloth accordingly" after they failed to guarantee European money.

However, they have still had a busy transfer market with a total of eight new signings.

Last season, the news of a possible takeover from the Toronto Investment Group fell through before the Cliftonville members voted to reopen TIG talks earlier in the summer.

Fans of the north Belfast side will be hoping that the lengthy wait for an investor is nearly over and this season is one to remember.

Last season: 5th

Manager: Jim Magilton

New signings: Dan O'Connor, Kyle McClelland, Ben Quinn, Aaron Wightman, Joel Thompson, Dean McMaster, Alex Bannon, Ollie Samuels

First five fixtures: Crusaders (H), Bangor (A), Linfield (A), Dungannon Swifts (H), Portadown (H)