Irish League Football

Steven Crawford
BBC Sport NI

Image source, Inpho

It's the business end of the Irish Premiership campaign as the post-split fixtures get under way with plenty to be decided at either end of the table.

Not only is the destination of the Gibson Cup and a place in the Champions League qualifiers up for grabs, but also a place in the Conference League qualifiers for the runners-up and European play-off winners.

The top four are all still in with a shout of lifting the title with Larne in the box seat to secure a third Irish Premiership crown in four years after they extended their lead at the summit following their victory at Glenavon last time out.

Gary Haveron's side kick-off the first of their final five games at home to Cliftonville, aiming to maintain their four-point advantage over nearest challengers Glentoran.

It doesn't come any bigger for Declan Devine's side on Saturday as they host 'Big Two' rivals Linfield knowing they cannot afford any slip-ups in their bid to secure a first league title since 2008-09.

Third-place Coleraine are breathing down their necks with only four points separating themselves and the Glens in the table, with reigning champions Linfield in fourth still hoping they can overhaul the teams above them, although they are three worse off than the Bannsiders.

Irish Cup semi-finalists Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts make up the top six and they will be jockeying for fifth position and the potential home advantage in the end-of-season play-offs that could bring in their remaining five games, with the Reds currently occupying fifth place.

In the bottom half of the table, there are four teams still in with a shout with securing the final spot in the European play-offs.

With the County Antrim Shield already in the bag, Carrick Rangers will be aiming to cap a great season by sealing seventh place.

But Bangor, Portadown and Ballymena United will be hoping they can reel in Stephen Baxter's side over the last five games.

It's all about survival at the foot of the table with one point currently separating Crusaders from bottom club Glenavon.

Both sides will be targeting 11th place to take on Championship opposition in the relegation/promotion play-off with 12th place automatically dropping out of the Premiership and into the second tier.

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Coleraine have confirmed that striker James Akintunde will undergo surgery after sustaining an ankle fracture-dislocation during Saturday's match against Glentoran.

Akintunde required medical attention during the first minute of the game at the Oval after a collision in the Glentoran box.

The 29-year-old joined Coleraine in January from Finnish side Haka and had previously played under Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins at Derry City.

"Following yesterday's match at The Oval where James Akintunde was stretched off early in the game, the club can now provide an update on James' condition," a statement on Coleraine's social media read.

"On arrival at hospital, a full x-ray and further assessments were carried out where it was confirmed that James suffered an ankle fracture-dislocation. This is a very significant and serious injury which will carry a long recovery time. James will now be transferred to Derry/Londonderry where he will undergo surgery in the coming days."

Akintunde has scored two goals since joining the club, who thanked the medical professionals, stewards, staff and fans for their support.

"Our thanks go to all of the medical professionals, stewards and staff both at The Oval and at the hospital for their care and attention to James," the statement continued.

"The focus of everybody at the club is on giving James the support he needs during this very difficult time for him.

"We would finally like to thank both sets of supporters for their support to James inside the stadium as he was taken from the field of play."

Image source, Pacemaker

The five sets of post-split fixtures for the concluding weeks of the Irish Premiership season have been confirmed.

The first set of games on Saturday 28 March will see top flight leaders Larne face Cliftonville at Inver Park, while second-placed Glentoran will entertain big Belfast rivals Linfield at the Oval.

Dungannon Swifts are at home to Coleraine in the other top six game. Meanwhile in the bottom six, Carrick Rangers are at home to Crusaders.

Ballymena United will host Bangor and Glenavon will face Portadown one week later on Saturday 4 April because of international call-ups.

The second set of games on Tuesday 7 April will have 19:45 BST kick-off times and will see BBC Sport NI provide live coverage of Larne v Coleraine, with Larne's visit to Windsor Park to play Linfield on Saturday 11 April (13:00 BST) also broadcast live across BBC Sport NI.

Glentoran, who sit second going into the split, are at home to Larne in another game you can see across BBC Sport NI on Friday 17 April.

On the final Saturday of the league season, 25 April, the three bottom six fixtures will kick off at 15:00 BST, with the three matches involving the teams in the top six starting at 17:30.

You can view the full set of post-split Irish Premiership fixtures as provided by the Northern Ireland Football League here, external.

Image source, Inpho

Linfield striker Kieran Offord will miss the rest of the season after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 21-year-old returned from a four-month spell on the sidelines as a substitute in the Blues' 3-1 win over Portadown earlier this month.

However, the Scot's night was cut short after just 13 minutes on the pitch when he was forced off following a tackle from Lewis MacKinnon.

Having missed Linfield's BetMcLean Cup final win over Glentoran, the club have confirmed his ankle surgery was successful.

"This is a hugely disappointing setback for him after the tremendous effort he put into recovering from his previous injury," read Linfield's statement.

"Everyone at the club is fully behind Kieran, and we have no doubt that with his determination and professionalism, he will return stronger and back to his very best.

"We wish him every success in his recovery and rehabilitation."

Offord joined Linfield from St Mirren in January 2025 after impressing on loan for Crusaders.

David Healy's side are currently eight points off leaders Larne in the Irish Premiership and

Image source, Inpho

Glentoran boss Declan Devine was left to rue missed chances after a 1-0 defeat by Linfield in the BetMcLean Cup final.

The Glens wasted a host of opportunities before the Blues won it with a penalty deep in extra-time.

KJ Kamson-Kamara brought down Chris McKee, who dusted himself down before slotting home the spot-kick.

"I think we created really good chances and opportunities and with the fine details in games like this you have to take those opportunities," he said.

"Cup finals are about getting that important goal. We've got severely punished for not taking one of those chances because it's the first mistake in the game we've made.

"After working so hard for so long and putting our bodies on the line it's soul destroying.

"It's very raw at the minute, but obviously it's very disappointing to lose and I ca't fault the players because they were outstanding in the game.

"We've a lot of things still to play for but that was a painful way to lose a football game."