Irish League Football

Image source, Pacemaker Press

Linfield have signed attacking midfielder Kitt Nelson on a season-long loan from Preston North End.

The 21-year-old arrives at Windsor Park after scoring five goals in 33 games on loan at Cork City during the 2025 League of Ireland season.

Nelson came through the Preston academy but is yet to make his senior debut for the Lilywhites.

"I'm really happy to be here," Nelson told Linfield TV.

"I heard about the interest a few weeks ago and I was keen as soon as I heard about it.

"Once the ball got rolling it got done really quickly and I'm happy to be here now."

Nelson is Linfield's fifth summer signing after Ryan Nolan, Kobei Moore, Dylan Wells and Aidan Glavin.

Linfield started the Irish Premiership season with a shock 3-0 home loss to Ballymena United but bounced back with victories over Glentoran and Cliftonville.

David Healy's side travel to Limavady United on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Image source, Glentoran FC

Glentoran have announced the signing of defender Ethan Schilte-Brown on a season-long loan from Kilmarnock, subject to international clearance.

The 21-year-old made 18 Scottish Premiership appearances for the Rugby Park club last season and was named Kilmarnock's Young Player of the Year for 2025-26.

He has featured once more in the Premiership this season, taking his league appearance tally for Killie to 19.

The move will offer Glens manager Declan Devine additional options in central defence after the arrival of Zeno Ibsen Rossi earlier in the summer.

Schilte-Brown came through the youth system at MLS side Orlando City before moving to Scotland and joining Kilmarnock's academy.

He had loan spells with Cumnock Juniors, Albion Rovers and Dumbarton before establishing himself in the Kilmarnock first-team squad.

A Canada youth international, Schilte-Brown featured for Kilmarnock in their pre-season friendly against the Glens at the Oval during pre-season.

"This is a big opportunity for me and one which I am relishing. I am determined to make the most of my time here," said Schilte-Brown.

"You want to be competing at the top end of the table, challenging for trophies and playing in big games, and that was a major attraction for me."

Glens manager Declan Devine was enthusiastic about securing the player on a loan basis.

"Strengthening the heart of our defence was one of our priorities this summer and we did a great bit of business bringing in Zeno Rossi earlier in the window.

"The addition of Ethan not only gives us greater depth in that area but adds real quality as well. He has all the attributes we were looking for. He's strong, athletic and composed on the ball and has made a number of first-team appearances for Kilmarnock while also gaining valuable experience out on loan.

"Ethan has a real physical presence and enjoys the defensive side of the game. I believe he has all the attributes to be a real success in the Irish League."

Glentoran sit third in the table at this early stage of the new season, having beaten Limavady United and Ballymena United, but lost to derby rivals Linfield.

They host Crusaders at the Oval on Saturday in their next Irish Premiership game.

Image source, Glentoran FC

Glentoran beat rivals Linfield 2-1 to progress to the semi-finals of the Women's Irish Cup.

Naomi McLaughlin opened the scoring in the 36th minute before Cora Chambers levelled for the Blues at the Blanchflower Stadium.

But McLaughlin struck her second of game with eight minutes remaining to send Kim Turner's side into the final four.

Holders Cliftonville also progressed to the last four with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Derry City.

After an early own goal opened the scoring for Cliftonville, the Reds progressed thanks to goals from Teegan Lynch and Louise McDaniel either side of the interval.

Crusaders Strikers battled past Sion Swifts, who have sealed the Championship title, 2-1 at Seaview.

Ali Nelson put the Premiership side ahead and Rebecca Bassett doubled their advantage.

Substitute Caoimhe Heron pulled a goal back for the Swifts but Crusaders held on to win.

Lisburn are the other semi-finalist after they defeated Ballymena United 1-0.

Image source, Press Eye

Manager Oran Kearney says he hopes Ballymena United can build on a "positive" start to the season against Glentoran on Friday.

The Sky Blues stunned Linfield 3-0 on the opening weekend of the season but lost 2-1 at Crusaders in their second outing.

Ballymena had a big turnover of players over the summer with 11 new arrivals at the Showgrounds, but Kearney is pleased with their start to the campaign.

"I think the big worry always with that first game is making sure that you're up to speed, particularly against a side that had played in Europe and maybe had been in earlier than us," Kearney told BBC Sport NI's Nicola McCarthy.

"So we were happy with the start that we got, but just a bit frustrated that we didn't back it up last Saturday."

Ballymena will aim to get back to winning ways against Glentoran on Friday night in a game which will be streamed live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport app and website.

Glentoran beat Limavady United in their first fixture but then lost to rivals Linfield on Saturday.

Kearney expects "a really tough game" against one of the favourites for the title.

The former Coleraine and St Mirren boss replaced Jim Ervin as Ballymena manager in December and the Sky Blues ended the previous campaign in ninth place.

For Kearney, it is all about improvement in the new season.

"We all want to do better than last year. I think that's the most important thing, and we want to get into a habit of winning games and competing in games," he added.

"Particularly towards the end of last season, I just felt there was games we struggled to compete in and we struggled to really chin the bar on many different aspects.

"I think, and hope, that we've fixed a lot of that."

The build-up to the third match week has been dominated by the takeover of Cliftonville by the Toronto Investment Group.

Kearney says that it is "exciting" to have new investment in the Irish League.

"We have four full-time clubs at the minute and Cliftonville look as if at some point they're going to move that direction as well.

"I'm not sure what the time frame of it is, but it has to be exciting times for the league, for the product and for all aspects of it."

Image source, NIFWA

Linfield winger Sophie McKnight has been named the Sports Direct Women's Premiership Player of the Month for July by the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association.

The Blues had a strong month with wins over Lisburn Rangers and Larne Women, as well as a 2-2 draw with Belfast neighbours and title rivals Glentoran Women.

Teenager McKnight scored her fourth league goal of the season in the draw with Glentoran and impressed throughout the month as Ryan McConville's side also reached the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup and progressed to the final of the Couty Antrim Cup, where they will play holders Lisburn Rangers.

"I'm delighted to win the Player of the Month award at such a young age. Hopefully it's just the beginning for me," said McKnight, who joined the Blues from Glentoran ahead of the new season.

"I've really enjoyed my time at Linfield and I'm really grateful to Ryan [McConville, Linfield manager] for bringing me in and I'm looking to kick on.

"I think we've had a really strong season so far, we want to keep kicking on and keep going right through to the end of the season."

It is consecutive monthly award wins for Linfield, after Northern Ireland midfielder Megan Bell won June's prize.