Irish League Football

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Crusaders have signed defender Kurtis Forsythe from fellow Irish Premiership side Carrick Rangers.

The 22-year-old right back becomes Declan Caddell's second summer g and will on a three-year-deal upon the expiration of his contract with Carrick.

Forsythe came through the Gers' academy, making his debut in 2020.

The full-back made 160 appearances for Carrick during his five seasons with the first team, scoring three goals in that period.

Caddell said that he was "absolutely thrilled" to welcome the defender to Seaview.

"He's a player we have ired for some time and he fits perfectly into the style and mentality we are building here," he told the club's website.

"At just 22 he already has great experience in the league and we believe his best years are ahead of him.

"He brings quality, drive and a fantastic attitude, we can't wait to see him in a Crusaders shirt."

Crusaders also added Scottish winger Keiran McKechnie to their squad earlier this week.

The 24-year-old arrives on a two-year deal, which will commence following the expiration of his current contract with Arbroath.

McKechnie came through the Rangers academy and also had a spell with Queen of the South.

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Crusaders have confirmed the departure from the club of skipper Billy Joe Burns upon the expiration of his contract this summer.

The former Linfield defender has spent 11 years with the Seaview club, making 423 appearances and scoring 33 goals since g for the north Belfast outfit in 2014.

During his spell with the Crues, Burns played a key role in helping the club secure three Irish Premiership titles, three Irish Cup victories and two County Antrim Shield triumphs.

The 36-year-old also picked up accolades, collecting the Ulster Footballer of the Year and NIFWA Footballer of the Year in the 2015-16 season.

His playing time has been restricted by injury in recent seasons.

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell said: "BJ has been an incredible servant to this football club.

"I had the privilege of sharing the pitch with him as a team-mate and it's been an honour to manage him as a player.

"He's a leader, a winner, and someone who always gives everything for the cause.

"He'll be missed massively but he leaves with our gratitude and full respect."

The Irish Premiership club also revealed that Adam Lecky and Jimmy Callacher were leaving Seaview.

Lecky ed Crusaders from Ballymena United in 2019 and was instrumental in the club's 2022 Irish Cup triumph over his former side.

He made 162 appearances, scoring 34 goals.

Callacher signed for the Crues in 2023 after a long and distinguished career with Linfield and played 43 times.

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Glentoran midfielder Fuad Sule is among five players who will depart the Oval at the conclusion of their contracts this summer.

The 28-year-old ed from Larne in 2023 and has been an influential figure under Glens boss Declan Devine, often captaining the side in the absence of usual skipper Marcus Kane.

In what proved to be Sule's final game for the east Belfast club, they drew 0-0 with Larne on the final day to miss out on automatic European qualification for next season with the former Bohemians man handed a six-game ban for his role in a post-match brawl.

Glentoran, who won the County Antrim Shield in January, spent much of the Irish Premiership season in second place but endured a disappointing end to their campaign that saw them fall into third on the penultimate weekend, leaving them requiring victory in that game at Inver Park on the final day.

They were also knocked out of the Irish Cup by second-tier Bangor before losing the BetMcLean Cup final to Cliftonville and suffering defeat to the same opposition in the semi-finals of the European play-off.

Forward Wassim Aouachria and midfielder Finley Thorndike, who ed the side last summer, will both leave Glentoran after one season.

Former top goalscorer Jay Donnelly and Northern Ireland international Niall McGinn, who were on loan at Newington and Greenock Morton respectively, will also depart the club, while defender Paddy McClean has been put on the transfer list.

Glentoran have already confirmed the g of midfielder Liam Burt.

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Strikers Ruaidhri Donnelly and Destiny Ojo will depart Cliftonville upon the expiration of their contracts.

Donnelly brings the curtain down on an injury-hit third spell with the Reds after ing in July 2024.

The 33-year-old made just 13 league appearances, the last of which came in November.

He found the net once, scoring once in a 3-1 defeat against Larne in September.

"I want thank Jim [Magilton] for the chance he gave me to put a Reds top back on, always an honour wearing that top," Donnelly posted on X, external.

"It has been a difficult and frustrating season on and off the pitch for myself and I truly believe no player deserves a contract without fighting for one, which I was unable to do due to injury.

"The Reds fan base is something else. Thank you, Cliftonville Football Club, once a Red, always a Red."

Donnelly made 70 appearances during his first spell with the north Belfast side before impressive form earned a move to Swansea City in January 2012.

Also representing Tranmere Rovers and Gillingham while playing in England, he returned to Cliftonville in the summer of 2017.

The forward then ed Glentoran on transfer deadline day in January 2021 and also had a spell at Newington in the Championship.

Ojo signed in August last year after being released by Portsmouth and featured 14 times for the Reds in all competitions.

He scored twice in Cliftonville's run to the BetMcLean League Cup final, including a dramatic extra time winner against Larne in the semi-final win.

The 20-year-old was an unused substitute in Jim Magilton's side 1-0 victory over Glentoran in the decider.

"Thank you for everything last season, all the best for the future," he said in a post on X, external.

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Midfielder Kris Lowe has left Cliftonville will fellow Irish Premiership side Glenavon upon the expiration of his contract with the Reds.

The 29-year-old spent four and a half years with the north Belfast side after being signed by Paddy McLaughlin from Dungannon Swifts in January 2021.

Lowe won the Irish Cup and two BetMcLean League Cups during his time at Solitude.

He previously spent eight years with the Swifts where he also won a League Cup in 2018.

Lowe will be reunited with McLaughlin at the Lurgan Blues and becomes their third g after Oran O'Kane ed from H&W Welders and Jordan McMullen arrived from Ballymena.

McLaughlin said he was "absolutely delighted" with the addition of Lowe to his squad as they look to build on their 10th place finish last year.

"I've worked with him before and I'm a huge irer of his qualities. He can play at a high level in a number of positions. Essentially, he's a midfielder but he can operate at right-back and centre-half as well with no problem," McLaughlin told the Glenavon website.

"His quality has been evident, but his calmness, his positivity and his athleticism are also great attributes to have.

"As a part-time club it's important that we stay in touch as much as possible with the full-time teams and bringing in someone like Kris will help us do that."

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Irish Premiership European play-off final: Coleraine v Cliftonville

Venue: The Coleraine Showgrounds Kick-off: 14:00 BST Coverage: Watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website or follow live text commentary on BBC Sport NI website

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton says that he is going to "ask" his players for one more big performance as they take on Coleraine in Sunday's European play-off final.

The Reds bounced back from their Irish Cup final defeat against Dungannon Swifts to beat Glentoran 2-0 at the Oval on Wednesday in the play-off semi-final.

They will now face Coleraine in the final at the Showgrounds after the Bannsiders overcame Crusaders 1-0 in their semi-final.

Magilton is hopeful the Reds can end a difficult campaign on a high and secure European football for a second successive season.

"Given the season that we've had, it's an unbelievable group of players that have shown resolve," he said.

"We lost a teammate [defender Michael Newberry died suddenly in December]. We won a League Cup, we lost an Irish Cup on penalties and then we've had to win away at the Oval, which is always a difficult place to come.

"I can only commend the players, their attitude and their application. Now we go to Coleraine and it's winner takes all."

Bannsiders hope to make home advantage count

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The Reds boss added that if his side managed to qualify for Europe, it would be one of the club's "great achievements".

"We know it will be a huge task, lots of good players, new manager and we tend to like to do things the hard way, so we'll be ready, as will Coleraine."

Coleraine have failed to beat Cliftonville in three league meetings this season, with the Reds winning once and the other two ending in draws.

Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins, who won his first game in charge against Crues, is hopeful the new manager bounce can continue for his side on Sunday.

Coleraine are looking to secure European football for the first time since 2022 and will hope to make home advantage count.

"It would be a brilliant achievement if we could secure it [European football]," he added.

"Obviously, we're playing against a really good side in Cliftonville, but we'll be ready and looking forward to it.

"We're home again, so, fingers crossed we can put in a really good performance."

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Champions Cliftonville were held 1-1 at home by Linfield on the opening night of the new Women's Premiership season.

The Reds went behind through Cora Chambers' effort in the 55th minute after the forward was picked out by Zoe McGlynn.

But former Northern Ireland international Marissa Callaghan equalised with just under 15 minutes to play to ensure the points were shared at Solitude.

The north Belfast side's nearest challengers last season, Glentoran, opened their campaign with an emphatic 6-1 win over Lisburn Ladies at Bluebell Stadium.

Kascie Weir and Aimee Kerr both scored twice in the victory, with Jess Foy and substitute Rachel Rogan also on target for the Glens while Morgan Shannon netted a late consolation for the hosts.

Lisburn Rangers started their season with a big win too as they beat Larne 5-0 at Crewe Park.

Gracie Conway opened the scoring after just nine minutes before Helen Parker and Sophie Megaw put them in a commanding position before half-time.

Conway added her second and her side's fourth before Anastasija Stanyte rounded out the scoring before the hour-mark.

Rebecca Mann also began the season with a double as Crusaders Strikers defeated Derry City Women 4-2 at Seaview.

Jessica Rea and Sophie Gargan were the others to find the net for the Crues who led 4-0 before Tara O'Connor-Farren and Cache Crumlish-Hawes scored for the Candystripes.

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Glentoran manager Declan Devine and Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton speak to BBC Sport NI after the Reds' 2-0 victory at the Oval helped them reach Sunday's European play-off final.

Devine on the defeat: "We didn't do enough which is the biggest disappointment. We were looking for a reaction tonight, but we didn't play with any intensity and our attacking play was non-existent. We switch off from a free-kick then and we are severely punished."

On the disappointing end to the season: "We have to change our mentality here because the reality is we haven't scored enough goals this year. We had second place in our hands and threw it away."

Magilton on the win: "We played really well in parts but above all else we were tremendous in character and guts to get a result after the huge disappointment of Saturday. To show the resolve and resilience, I'm so proud of the players."

On Jack Keaney and Eric McWoods' goals: Once Rory (Hale) lands on the ball he has that kind of vision and Jack was brilliant all night and recognised there was an opening and then it was a fantastic finish.

"Glentoran were then pressing for an equaliser, and we caught them on the counter and Eric worked his socks off all night and deserved his goal."

On Sunday's final: "If we qualify for Europe this way it's up there with the great achievements. We know it will be a huge task. We tend to like to do things the hard way so we will be ready."

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After Coleraine booked their place in the European play-off final with a 1-0 win over Crusaders, BBC Sport NI caught up with Bannsiders boss Ruaidhri Higgins and Crues manager Declan Caddell.

Higgins on winning in his first game in charge: "Absolutely delighted with the result we started the game extremely well, some of the play first half was top drawer and what we want going forward.

"Second half we had to dig deeper and show a bit of grit to see the game out. All we wanted was to get to Sunday and we've done that."

On Declan McManus' winning goal: "It was an outstanding goal some really good play down the right side and lovely cross from Corey (Smith) and tucked away well by Declan."

On Sunday's final: "It would be a brilliant achievement if we could secure European football, we're playing against a really good side in Cliftonville, but we will be ready and looking forward to it."

Caddell on the defeat: "It was a game of two halves, Coleraine were very good first half, took an early goal well which was hard to recover from and they warranted the lead in the game. Second half it was all pressure from us, but we didn't do enough, we had no clear-cut chances.

"The players gave everything, I'm really disappointed for them, it has been a rollercoaster of a year. Tonight was a sore one, but we will learn a lot from it."

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree has been named Manager of the Year at the annual Northern Ireland Football Writers' Association awards.

McAree won the award ahead of Linfield boss David Healy and Cliftonville manager Jim Magilton, who were also nominated.

He helped the Swifts to their first ever Irish Cup triumph after beating Cliftonville on penalties in Saturday's decider as well as a fourth place Irish Premiership finish and a Mid-Ulster Cup win.

"It has been an incredible weekend for our football club. I want to thank everyone at Dungannon Swifts for their this season, our success is a team effort," said McAree.

Linfield forward Joel Cooper was named Player of the Year after a stellar campaign for the Blues.

Cooper, who will Coleraine in the summer, scored 19 league goals as the Blues won the Gibson Cup before the split.

He beat off competition from Swifts midfielder Gael Bigirimana and Cliftonville striker Joe Gormley to claim the award.

Fellow Blues player Matthew Orr was named Young Player of the Year after playing a key role in the title win in his first season with the first team.

After helping Bangor to promotion by scoring 24 league goals, Ben Arthurs won Championship Player of the Year.

Northern Ireland legends Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas were inducted into the Dr Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame.

"It's an incredible honour to be inducted into the Hall of Fame alongside genuine greats such as George Best and Harry Gregg," said Davis.

"It was always a privilege to represent my country and the people of Northern Ireland. To receive an accolade like this is incredible."

Earlier this month, Liverpool defender Conor Bradley was named International Player of the Year, while Northern Ireland winger Danielle Maxwell was chosen as Women's Premiership Player of the Year after helping Cliftonville to an unbeaten campaign.

Manager of the Year: Rodney McAree (Dungannon Swifts)

Player of the Year: Joel Cooper (Linfield)

NIFWA Young Player of the Year: Matthew Orr (Linfield)

NIFWA Championship Player of the Year: Ben Arthurs (Bangor)

NIFWA Team of the Year: Daniel Gyollai (Glentoran); Matthew Orr (Linfield), Kodi Lyons-Foster (Glentoran), Euan East (Linfield), Adam Glenny (Dungannon Swifts); Fuad Sule (Glentoran), Rory Hale (Cliftonville), Gael Bigirimania (Dungannon Swifts), Joel Cooper; Matthew Fitzpatrick (both Linfield), Joe Gormley (Cliftonville)

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Carrick Rangers striker Curtis Allen and Portadown defender Ross Redman have both called time on their football careers.

Allen, 37, brings the curtain down on a career that has included two spells with Coleraine as well as time at Bournemouth, Lisburn Distillery, Linfield, Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Glentoran.

The forward won the Irish Premiership title with the Blues in 2010, the League Cup with Coleraine in 2020 and the Irish Cup with Glentoran in 2015.

During his six-year stay at the Glens, Allen scored 110 goals in 232 games.

He took over as interim manager of Carrick earlier this season alongside Mark Surgenor following the sacking of Stuart King.

Redman began his career with hometown club Portadown, winning the Championship and the League Cup with the Ports in 2009.

He left in 2016 to sign for Glentoran before ing Dungannon Swifts on loan.

The 36-year-old then went to Ballymena United in 2020 before returning to the Ports on a free transfer in 2023.

He once again helped his side to win the Championship in his first season back at Shamrock Park before helping them to an eighth-place finish in the Irish Premiership this year.

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Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree says his side's first ever Irish Cup success "means everything" and is "such a good feeling".

The Swifts took the lead in the showpiece decider at Windsor Park on Saturday through a first-half John McGovern header but then had defender Steven Scott sent-off after the break for what referee Ian McNabb adjudged to be a second yellow card offence.

Shea Kearney equalised with a stunning strike in second-half stoppage time but with neither side able to find a winner in extra-time, the game went to penalties.

Dungannon goalkeeper Declan Dunne emerged the hero as he saved two of Cliftonville's penalties in a 4-3 shootout triumph.

"When we went down to 10 men it was just a case of trying not to concede, try to see it out," McAree told BBC Sport NI.

"We conceded but we hung on to get it to penalty kicks. That was the target, to try and win it on penalty kicks.

"We saw the game out magnificently well. We have fantastic team spirit, fantastic camaraderie. We've got a fight, we've got a ion among the group."

McAree's family are synonymous with the Stangmore Park club, including his father Joe, who also managed the county Tyrone outfit.

"I grew up in the club since I was three or four years of age.

"It's so good to do it for real good people who have been around the Swifts for so many years.

"It's beyond words to be honest. Whenever I came back into the club [for a second spell as manager] we wanted to compete. We wanted to be a challenge for every club that we played against.

"The players have done exceptionally well this season and have been a joy to work with."

The Swifts boss also had words of consolation for Scott.

"Stevie Scott got sent-off, whether it's a second yellow card or not, he gives the referee a decision to make and he shouldn't.

"He's on the pitch at the end crying. He's such a good lad, he's had a hard time, but he was brilliant up until then."