Tag: Sports Direct Premiership
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Larne’s victory over Cliftonville tees them up as the ones to halt Linfield’s irrepressible title surge
Friday night saw two big hitters in action at Inver Park, with Larne and Cliftonville facing off in a game that, although just a third of the way through the season, felt like a defining duel at the top of the table. Starting the day split by as fine a margin as their respective shades…
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Carrick Rangers’ future success will be laid on a platform club legend David Hilditch helped build
Sadness was very much in the air on Sunday following news of the passing of David Hilditch. A dedicated servant to Carrick Rangers, performing a number of roles at his beloved club including as chairman and secretary, Hilditch was a passionate advocate for the Irish League whose contributions at Taylors Avenue have left an indelible…
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Well-travelled Andrew Smith’s smooth adapting to new horizons can make him a hit at FC Haka
Some former Irish League stars have taken interesting steps in their post-playing career, and Andrew Smith is no exception. The 43-year-old Lisburn man was this week confirmed as head coach of FC Haka. There’s more than a pinch of irony behind that hire. Haka were the Finnish outfit dumped out of Europa Conference League qualifying…
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Regional cups serve in the interest of the many… and for that, their integrity must be protected
There has been much discourse and debate in the modern age of the Irish League regarding what role regional competitions now play. In an age where European qualification is now a factor that reigns supreme, with six-figure sums healthily renumerating those that reach the continental scene, there has been a change of priorities at the…
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Linfield found a calm in a different kind of storm at Solitude… exactly the type champions need
Last week, Storm Babet brought torrents of rain and fierce gusts of wind as it roared into the British Isles. Depending on where you were, flooded streets and felled trees cut the landscape in the calm that followed. But a calm of a different kind could be found amid the ecstasy of a bouncing away…
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Loughgall’s brilliant Benji Magee reaping the rewards of his non-linear path to stardom
Flying forward Benji Magee has been one of the Irish League’s top-performing young guns this campaign. The Loughgall starlet, who plundered a dramatic late winner to sink Larne at Lakeview Park having already lofted in a sublime leveller against Crusaders at Seaview, added a fresh string to his bow on completing his first senior hat-trick.…
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Carrick Rangers have top-half ambitions, and Danny Purkis is good enough to get them there
The past few months have certainly been eventful at Carrick Rangers, with much occurring both on and off the pitch. In the summer, the east Antrim club’s recruitment turned heads, signalling their intent to surge up the league table under the watchful eye of impressive manager Stuart King. Now, after a relatively slow start to…
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The Irish League has a massive part to play in leading Northern Ireland to better days
Northern Ireland’s hopes of Euro 2024 Finals qualification died a quick death. Regrettable as that sounds, it is a cold, hard truth. After eight matchdays, the flame of hope has been extinguished and replaced by acceptance that a summer trip to Germany next year is off the table. With Michael O’Neill and his players garnering…
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