Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Gavin Gilmore (Finn Harps), Nathaniel Ferris (Glentoran - loan), Charlie Lindsay (Glentoran - loan), Mikey Harkin (Larne - loan), Conor Falls (Cliftonville - loan), John Mountney (Bohemians)

January departures: Francely Lomboto (Galway United), David McDaid (Portstewart), Bridel Bosakani (Drogheda United - end of loan), Corey Smith (Coleraine - end of loan), Caolan Murphy (H&W Welders), Jack Malone (Glentoran), Kyle McClelland (Cliftonville - loan)

Michael O'Connor has brought in a number of players in January to help Glenavon in their fight against relegation and reshape the squad he inherited from Paddy McLaughlin a few months ago.

The departures of Francely Lomboto, David McDaid, Bridel Bosakani and Michael O'Connor left the Lurgan Blues light up front and given their precarious position, they had to rely on loan deals to bring in some much-needed Premiership experience.

Nathaniel Ferris and Charlie Lindsay have both arrived from Glentoran while Conor Falls has come in from Cliftonville and they will be at Mourneview to the end of the season.

Ferris will hope to rediscover his goalscoring form from his time at Loughgall, while Lindsay and Falls will look to benefit from regular game time.

Gavin Gilmore has also joined and the 22-year-old winger adds depth in the wide areas following Corey Smith's return to Coleraine.

He will be keen to hit the ground running after recently spending 18 months with Finn Harps in the League of Ireland Frist Division.

They have been dealt a blow in losing Jack Malone, their best performer this season, to Glentoran abut they did manage to keep hold of Peter Campbell, who has had some bright moments despite his injury struggles this season.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Brandon Bermingham (Cliftonville - end of loan), Shea Gordon (Cliftonville), Corey Smith (Coleraine), Sam Anderson (Luton Town - loan made permanent), Paul Doyle (Drogheda United), Kobei Moore (Larne - loan)

January departures: Bobby-Jack McAleese (Portstewart - loan), Thomas Maguire (Crusaders - loan), Junior (undisclosed)

It was a good window for Dungannon Swifts, who look to have once again made some smart acquisitions.

They have added Cliftonville midfielder Shea Gordon for another spell at Stangmore Park alongside Corey Smith, who could be the latest youngster to shine at the Swifts.

The arrival of the experienced Paul Doyle is a coup while Kobei Moore could be an exciting signing if he can get regular game time.

The Swifts will hope that Sam Anderson can step up and deliver having signed permanently from Luton, especially as Junior has left the club after a brief but fruitful spell.

Keeping talented youngsters such as Steven Scott and Adam Glenny, who have both thrived again this season has been key as the Swifts look to cement a place in the top six again, but they do look a bit light up top.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Jonny James (H&W Welders - end of loan), Cameron Bruce (Airdrieonians), Thomas Maguire (Dungannon Swifts - loan), Scot Rough (Stranraer)

January departures: Jarlath O'Rourke (Glentoran), Ross Clarke (Glentoran)

It was a strange window for Crusaders, who brought in some much-needed defensive reinforcements but lost two of their most experienced players.

Cameron Bruce and Scot Rough will likely come straight into the side while Thomas Maguire provides a different wide option and has looked lively since arriving from Dungannon Swifts.

They have however, lost captain and long-serving full-back Jarlath O'Rourke and fellow experienced winger Ross Clarke to Glentoran, leaving them with a very young squad.

They did manage to keep hold of star striker Fraser Bryden, the Irish Premiership's top goal scorer.

His goals will be key to their quest of pulling away from relegation trouble and he will be fit and firing for the run in after avoiding serious injury following a collision with the post against Larne.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Mark Coyle (Shelbourne), Mark Connolly (Derry City), Ben Wylie (Portadown), Corey Smith (Glenavon - end of loan), Senan Devine (H&W Welders - end of loan), Will Patching (Carlisle United - permanent), James Akintunde (FC Haka)

January departures: Stephen Fallon (Bangor - loan), Aidan Harris (Newcastle United - end of loan), Jack Scott (Portadown), Corey Smith (Dungannon Swifts), Declan McMannus (released), Adam Long (released), Ronan Doherty (Larne)

Coleraine qwere busy in the January window as they added quality players who can get their faltering title challenge back on track.

They have brought in experienced former Derry City defender Mark Connolly, who has gone straight into the side with fellow centre-bac Kodi Lyons-Foster injured.

The Bannsiders have also added more midfield depth by snapping up versatile Ben Wylie after a good half-season with Portadown.

The most important business Coleraine have done is tying Will Patching down to a permanent deal after his fine start to life on the north coast, but the capture of Shelbourne captain Mark Coyle is also mightily impressive.

Striker Declan McManus has departed following an underwhelming spell at the club with goalkeeper Aidan Harris also recalled by Newcastle United after playing the majority of the first half of the season for the club.

Ronan Doherty's permanent switch to Larne seems a strange deal, given he is quality Irish Premiership midfielder who will strengthen one of Coleraine's rivals.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Joseph Toole (Fleetwood Town - loan), Liam McStravick (Airdrieonians), Brian Healy (H&W Welders), Reece Jordan (Loughgall - end of loan), Aidan Kelly (unattached), Kyle McClelland (Glenavon - loan), Adam Carroll (Warrenpoint Town), Zach Balfour (Annan Athletic), Josh Kelly (Glentoran - loan)

January departures: Brandon Bermingham (Dungannon Swifts - end of loan), Thomas Lavery (Sunderland - end of loan), Darien Wauchope (Mansfield Town - end of loan), Shea Gordon (Dungannon Swifts), Conor Barr (Derry City - end of loan), Odhran Casey (Shelbourne), Conor Falls (Glenavon - loan), Jack Keaney (Corpus Christi FC)

It's been another busy window for Cliftonville, with plenty of incomings and some significant outgoings.

They have made eight signings, the best of which looks the capture of Championship goal machine Brian Healy, who could prove to be an exciting forward option if he can hit the ground running as he did with H&W Welders.

Bringing in the versatile Josh Kelly on loan from Glentoran looks another solid bit of business while Reds fans will hope Kyle McClelland and Aidan Kelly can attempt to fill the huge voids left by Odhran Caesey and Jack Keaney, who were arguably the Reds' two best performers this season before they moved on.

The Reds have offloaded Brandon Bermingham, who flattered to deceive in his eight appearances, back to Dungannon Swifts following the end of his loan, while injury curtailed Darien Wauchope's loan spell at Solitude as he made just three appearances.

Jim Magilton's side have also been dealt a blow with the impressive Thomas Lavery recalled from his temporary stay in north Belfast to return to Sunderland.

Lavery's departure, alongside the sale of Casey and Keaney's move to America have left the Reds weaker defensively and it has shown so far in their recent poor run.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Mikey Place (Finn Harps), Lorcan Donnelly (Glentoran - loan), Matthew Olosunde (unattached), Joe Moore (Armagh City), Rakealan Jeffers (Free agent)

January departures: Jack Scott (Coleraine - end of loan)

January has been a great month for Carrick Rangers with their recent winning run including a County Antrim Shield victory.

Two of the January signings in Mikey Place and Matthew Olosunde have slotted into the team and helped the upturn in form.

Stephen Baxter has also bolstered his squad depth with the arrivals of the likes of Joe Moore and Rakealan Jeffers to compensate for their recent injury crisis, but it's been a decent window.

Jack Scott being recalled early from his loan by Coleraine and subsequently joining Portadown was a blow given the versatile 23-year-old had been one of Carrick's more impressive players in a difficult run.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Stephen Fallon (Coleraine - loan), Iestyn Hughes (Cobh Ramblers), Oisin Devlin (Larne)

January departures: Ben Walker (Dundela - loan), Tom Mathieson (Ards), Paul Osew (unattached), Liam Burns (Dundela - loan), Ross Ferguson (Lisburn Distillery - loan)

Like in the summer window, it was a quiet January for Bangor, although they did make one real notable addition.

The acquisition of Stephen Fallon on loan will be seen as a real coup, if Lee Feeney can get him fit and firing.

The talented midfielder has made just one appearance for Coleraine this season but proved his quality during his time at Linfield and will be desperate to get his career back on track with the Seasiders.

Keeping hold of star striker Ben Arthurs was crucial while the permanent signing of Oisin Devlin also seems a good deal given the 19-year-old has impressed during his time on loan at the club.

Image source, Inpho

January signings: Dean Ebbe (Dundalk), Igor Rutkowski (Armagh City), Sean Murray (free agent), Brad Wade (Waterford), Shane McEleney (Glentoran), Fuad Sule (Persis)

January departures: Josh Carson (Portadown), David Taylor (Dundela - loan), Sean O'Neill (retired), Ryan McNickle (Limavady United - loan), Alex Gawne (Annagh United - loan), Kym Nelson (H&W Welders), Zach Nolan (released)

Ballymena United's late swoop to sign former Glentoran and Larne midfielder Fuad Sule looks like a super bit of business for the club.

A standout performer at both his previous Irish Premiership clubs, the deep-lying midfielder makes teams tick and will bring great leadership qualities to the Sky Blues too as they look to push for a top six place.

Oran Kearney has acted decisively in the mid-season transfer window as he looks to put his own stamp on the Sky Blues squad he inherited at the start of December, with Sule one of six signings made.

Kearney had identified a lack of firepower up top as an area to address, bringing in two strikes in Dean Ebbe and Igor Rutkowski, with the latter having hit the ground running with a couple of goals already.

Sean Murray and Shane McEleney, like Sule, are more experienced players, but keeping both fit will be key following their previous injury-hit spells at Glentoran.

Brad Wade has come in to replace the retired Sean O'Neill, who was a great servant over two spells with the club while a host of fringe players have gone out on loan or moved on to pastures new.

Image source, Inpho and Getty Images

Ballymena United have completed the deadline day signing of former Glentoran and Larne midfielder Fuad Sule from Indonesian club Peris Solo.

The 29-year-old won an Irish Premiership title during his time with Larne, where he spent five seasons before joining Glentoran in 2023.

The Dublin native then won the County Antrim Shield in 2025 with the east Belfast side before departing as a free agent last summer.

He has also had spells with St Patrick's Athletic, Bohemians and Barnet.

Glentoran were also busy on deadline day as they added winger Josh Daniels to their squad on a long-term deal.

The 29-year-old previously featured for hometown club Derry City and Glenavon before earning a move to Shrewsbury Town in 2020.

He then joined Welsh side The New Saints in 2022 where he won three league titles, two Welsh Cups and two Welsh League Cups.

Daniels had his contract mutually terminated by the club to allow him to return to Northern Ireland for family reasons.

"Coming home was really important for me and my family and when the opportunity to join Glentoran came up it felt like the right time and the right club," he told Glentoran's website.

"This is one of the biggest clubs on the island of Ireland and one I've played against many times over the years. They'd shown an interest in me before I moved to Shrewbury Town and again during my time away, so I'm delighted everything has finally come together."

Elsewhere, Cliftonville made three deadline day signings as they brought in striker Adam Carroll from Warrenpoint Town, goalkeeper Zach Balfour from Annan Athletic and midfielder Josh Kelly on loan from Glentoran.

Bangor completed the permanent signing of Oisin Devlin, who was on loan at the Seasiders from Larne, while Crusaders signed defender Scot Rough from Scottish League Two side Stranraer.

Image source, Inpho

Details of the next two Irish Premiership streams that will be shown live on the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website have been revealed.

The BBC cameras will travel to Inver Park for top of the table Larne's home match against Dungannon Swifts on Friday, 13 March (19:45 GMT).

Earlier in the season, Larne were defeated by the Swifts at Stangmore Park before responding with a win in the following fixture between the sides.

Coleraine's trip to the Oval to play Glentoran on Friday, 20 March (19:45 GMT) will also be livestreamed.

The Glens have had a good record against Coleraine this season and have won both Premiership games between the sides.

These fixtures are the final two planned streams before the Irish Premiership split.

Irish Premiership games to be streamed on BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website (times GMT):

Friday 13 March: Larne v Dungannon, 19:45

Friday 20 March: Glentoran v Coleraine, 19:45

Image source, Pacemaker

Crusaders boss Declan Caddell said that Fraser Bryden's injury "did not look good" after the striker was stretchered off in their 4-2 defeat against Larne at Seaview.

Bryden, who drew the Crues level with a stunning volley, required 10 minutes of medical attention after colliding with the post when attempting to meet a cross.

He was then taken off the pitch on a stretcher and Caddell confirmed he has since been transferred to hospital.

"No update as of yet, he is away to the hospital and it didn't look good," Caddell told BBC Sport NI.

"Just thinking of Fraser, he's been exceptional for us this season and let's hope it's not as bad as we think. He's knocked his leg off the post and signs after it are that it's not good, so I will go see him straight after this."

Caddell was disappointed that his side succumbed to defeat as, after Bryden was taken off, late goals from Matty Lusty and Paul O'Neill secured a hard-fought win for Larne.

"Up until Fraser got injured I thought we were the better side. Two poor goals we conceded first half, got ourselves back into the game as Fraser scores an absolute worldie and we had Larne completely rocked," he added.

"The injury deflated us, we didn't really recover and Larne made changes, the quality they brought on changed the game for them."

Image source, Pacemaker

Glenavon boss Michael O'Connor said that the impending investment in the club from Football International Limited [FIL] is a "really good thing".

The Lurgan Blues announced on Wednesday that FIL will acquire a majority shareholding of the club.

The deal will require a final sign off from shareholders, but FIL's investment is set to be staggered over a five-year span and O'Connor is pleased it is nearly over the line.

"I know there's investment coming in. I haven't met the investors yet, but I think it's a really good thing for the club," he told BBC Sport NI.

"From what I understand, they're football people who have been involved in clubs before and know their stuff.

"They're coming in to try and make Glenavon competitive again. It's not going to happen in a year; it's more of a four or five-year plan where we can build and try to push the club forward. It's a positive thing."

O'Connor hopes the investment can improve "behind the scenes and on the pitch" at the club.

"Football evolves every year, and you see full-time teams spending big money and bringing in top players. It's important we don't get left behind," he added.

"We have to compete on the pitch, but off it as well. It's about creating an environment where fans enjoy coming to football and building that atmosphere around the club."

Image source, Pacemaker

Cliftonville boss Jim Magilton said his side's display in their 2-1 loss against Glenavon was "unacceptable".

Ryan Curran fired the Reds in front at Mourneview, but their lead lasted just six minutes as Paul McGovern levelled for the Lurgan Blues.

Lewis Ridd saved Nathaniel Ferris' penalty before Harry Murphy scored what proved to be the winner as the Reds fell to a second successive league defeat.

"Unacceptable. Substandard. Awful from start to finish, even though we gave ourselves a head start. I thought we were really poor man for man. The opposition deserved to win," he told BBC Sport NI.

"They showed more appetite in the game. Albeit we created some really good opportunities, I still thought we were awful."

Cliftonville are without a league win since 13 December and Magilton was critical of his side's inability to fight back in the second half after going behind.

"Showing appetite and desire is non-negotiable. Glenavon are fighting for their lives. Some of those lads are fighting for their very legs at their football club. I'm not going to accept that. Not from us," he added.

"We didn't play well at all. In fact, we were awful, and that encourages the opposition. They stay in the game."

"We talk about attitude and character. That was nowhere near the levels. Nowhere near."

Magilton has called on the Reds to respond in the Irish Cup sixth round next week when they face Glenavon again, this time at Solitude.

"What we produced today was pitiful. Next week, we have to show what that shirt means. It's as simple as that.

"Glenavon will come here ready to stand up and be counted. It's a big game for them, and it's a massive game for us too. We'll see how we go."

Image source, Inpho

Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree has signed a contract extension to keep him at the club until 2030.

The 51-year-old took over at the helm of the Swifts in 2023 for his second spell in charge with the club winning the Irish Cup for the first time in their history since.

McAree's side sit fifth in the Irish Premiership this year and have lost just two of their last nine games.

"I've really enjoyed it since I've come back. We've had some success, we've tasted success and we want to try and taste some more," McAree said after the announcement.

"It's nice to show commitment as well to the club. It is something that I wanted to show.

"I'm happy and content where I am, I'm very ambitious where I am as well, and this is something I am glad to do."