Latest news with #PaddyMcLaughlin
Belfast Telegraph
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Glenavon manager backs calls for ‘unbelievable' all-island league... but with a warning
Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin says he agrees with Tiernan Lynch's argument that an all-Ireland League would be 'unbelievable', but he fears any new all-island structure could seriously harm smaller, less wealthy clubs. Derry City boss Lynch, who steered Larne to back-to-back Premiership titles and the league phase of the Uefa Conference League, expressed a desire to see both leagues work together.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Glenavon's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 10thPlayer of the year: Barney McKeownThe appointment of Paddy McLaughlin in November helped to steady the ship at Glenavon after a disappointing start to the season had them languishing close to Stephen McDonnell, the Lurgan Blues went seven games without a win in all competitions and slipped to 11th in the table, four points off safety before he was relieved of his McLaughlin could only help them to finish one place higher, they were 14 points better off than Carrick Rangers below aim will be to build upon a solid foundation in which the Lurgan Blues became harder to beat and start challenging for seventh have already been busy in the transfer market, bringing in the experienced Kris Lowe from Cliftonville and youngsters Jordan McMullan and Oran O'Kane.2025-26 signings so far: Kris Lowe (Cliftonville), Jordan McMullan (Ballymena United), Oran O'Kane (H&W Welders)2025-26 departures so far: Mark Haughey (unattached), Harry Murphy (Glentoran, end of loan)
BBC News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Lowe departs Cliftonville and joins Glenavon
Midfielder Kris Lowe has left Cliftonville will join fellow Irish Premiership side Glenavon upon the expiration of his contract with 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 won the Irish Cup and two BetMcLean League Cups during his time at previously spent eight years with the Swifts where he also won a League Cup in will be reunited with McLaughlin at the Lurgan Blues and becomes their third signing after Oran O'Kane joined from H&W Welders and Jordan McMullen arrived from 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 admirer 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."
BBC News
04-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
'We don't want to be fighting for our lives next year'
Glenavon manager Paddy McLaughlin has emphasised that the club's ambitions for next season will be much higher than just Premiership survival after they banished any lingering relegation fears by picking up a point in Tuesday's 1-1 draw with mid Ulster derby rivals Portadown at Shamrock took over the reins at the Mourneview Park outfit in mid-November with the club languishing perilously close to the drop zone following Stephen McDonnell's departure from the club."I said to the players after Tuesday night, congratulated them on getting themselves out of trouble, on getting us out of the relegation zone and securing our status but it wasn't something to be celebrated."We patted them on the back for that but it's not a position we want to be in year on year. You want to climb the division, you want to compete against the top sides."There's no reason why not, the potential at Glenavon is incredible and it's up to us to deliver more on the pitch."McLaughlin explained that top flight survival had been his primary objective when he took charge of the club but expectations would be raised for next term."We always aim high, we are ambitious as a club. But when we came to the club our first mission was to survive because Glenavon were in a bad place," reflected the former Cliftonville boss."They had three wins from 18 league games and were four points off the bottom of the league."We were definitely in a relegation fight and we have pulled away from that. From being four points ahead of them we're now 21 points ahead of Loughgall."Carrick were ahead of us on goal difference with a game in hand and we're now 13 points ahead of them. That swing is incredible and the players deserve all the credit in the world." McLaughlin added that his side had shown themselves capable of competing with the top teams in the league in individual games but "it was not good enough to be fighting for survival"."The club and the supporters deserve more and it's up to me and the players and the staff to improve that."Next year we don't want to be fighting for our lives come the run-in, we want to be in the top six, challenging for Europe and getting into cup finals."We're more than capable of doing it, it's maybe just that bit of belief."
BBC News
21-02-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
McCann's picks for this weekend's Irish Premiership fixtures
Ballymena United v Portadown (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)We played Ballymena the other night, they're very good at home, are resilient and it's a very difficult pitch to play on. Portadown are having an unbelievable season. They're very good at home. I fancy the way both teams play it'll be a score 1-1 Carrick Rangers v Loughgall (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)I think the game is probably more important for Carrick boss Stephen Baxter. Loughgall have improved over the last number of weeks, and maybe if it were at home it would be a different story, but I just think Carrick might have too much. Prediction: 1-0Glenavon v Crusaders (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)Glenavon have been scoring goals and they've been flying under Paddy McLaughlin. Crusaders have also picked up points over the last number of weeks, and seem to be having a resurgence. Mourneview is a very difficult place to go, and against a revitilised Glenavon, I just feel that a score draw will be on the 2-2Larne v Dungannon Swifts (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)Dungannon are chasing probably the highest position in the league that they have done for years, and they play without fear. Larne have hit a little bit of a sticky patch and will be trying to get out of it, having not won in four. I don't want to sit on the fence here, so I fancy Larne to win this one with their home advantage. Prediction: 2-1 Linfield v Coleraine (Saturday, 15:00 GMT, coverage on Sportsound on BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Ulster)With Linfield going for the league, they're not slipping up. I think Joel Cooper is back, and they might have a few other boys back. Coleraine have been playing well, but they've just been struggling to get any bit of consistency. Prediction: 2-0Don't forget to join Tim with Orla Bannon on Sportsound this week from 14:00 GMT on Saturday for all the latest from the Irish Premiership. Available on BBC Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and on the BBC Sport website.
