Latest news with #AnnaghUnited
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Carrick Rangers' 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 11thPlayer of the year: Danny GibsonIt was a difficult season for Carrick Rangers, who won the promotion/relegation play-off against Annagh United to retain their top flight status and end a tumultuous campaign on a performances in both legs of those games, a 5-2 triumph away and a 3-1 home win were probably their best of the season and demonstrate the quality within the Gers won just seven of their 38 league games, with Stephen Baxter succeeding Stuart King in October after Carrick had a run of nine defeats in 11 games in all competitions to start the Gibson was Carrick's standout player, registering 15 goals in all competitions and Baxter will hope to build around the striker as they look to once again avoid the drop next year.2025-26 signings so far: Aidan Steele (Ards), Billy Joe Burns (Crusaders)2025-26 departures so far: Kurtis Forsythe (Crusaders), Curtis Allen (retired)
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Reaction to Carrick's play-off win over Annagh United
Having won the first leg of their relegation/promotion play-off against Annagh United 5-2, Carrick Rangers ensured their Premiership survival with a 3-1 home win in the second leg on Friday night for an 8-3 aggregate Sport NI spoke to some of the key protagonists after the game:Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter on securing safety:"I thought the game was pretty nervy and then we got the lead and were able to hold onto it for a reasonable time and then they got the equaliser so I said to the team at half-time that we need to see out the first 10 to 15 minutes of the second half and then Danny gets the goal and when that goes in really its plain sailing.""Over the two legs, we were the better team. We had a little bit more than they did, we were able to stretch them in the second half and put them under constant pressure. "We did well tonight, and from my point of view, there's no celebration. It's a situation that when you find yourself in this play-off, you haven't been good enough all season, and you have to find a way to stay in the league. "You're playing in a dogfight to hold your place, and we need to improvise, and we will. There'll be changes, I'll have to make them if we want to compete as the league is getting bigger and stronger."Baxter on Paul Heatley:"Well, Paul Heatley is a class act, and when you work with him on a week-to-week basis, you get to know his personality, you get to know him as a quality person and not just as a quality I had eleven Paul Heatleys you'd win a championship every year. I can't say enough about him, he's a brilliant, brilliant person, and his quality on the pitch is magnificent, and he took his two goals really well and rattled the woodwork. That's just the mark of a brilliant footballer, so we are hoping he might stay on another year."Paul Heatley on potential retirement:"I thought I was finished in May of last year, but I have a personal connection with the club because that's where it all started for me, and then I went to Crusaders. I did agree that it's just a year, and personally, I'll probably go away with the mentality that I'm done. The statement is never to say never, but I'll just go away, enjoy my holidays, and not worry about it."Is that the last time you've kicked a ball in Premiership football?:"Very possibly, but the important thing is the team, not the individual, but I'll back away and let the others get the accolades and let the club get the attention it deserves to push forward."Annagh United manager Ciaran McGurgan on the game:"It was men against boys, and that's me being totally, brutally honest. I think Carrick showed a bit of hunger and a bit of desire, and I think maybe the occasion has got to a few of our players. "They've been super to get in this position, but it's a stretch too far. Carrick had time to replace players, and I think all those bits certainly helped, but they were deserved winners, and credit to them."
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Carrick Rangers retain Irish Premiership status with Annagh win
Carrick Rangers have retained their Irish Premiership status with an 8-3 aggregate win over Annagh United. Stephen Baxter's side led 5-2 from the first leg and a double from Paul Heatley and Danny Gibson's goal secured the tie at Taylors Avenue with a 3-1 win in the second leg. Advertisement Heatley broke the deadlock after 15 minutes and he benefited from quick thinking by strike partner Gibson. When Craig Taylor's long throw was hooked clear by Joe Crowe, Gibson immediately turned defence into attack and Carrick surged forward in numbers. The striker spotted Heatley in space and slid the ball into his path, which allowed the winger to jink inside and unleash a left-footed strike, which took a heavy deflection off Nathan Kerr and looped cruelly over Joel Little. Annagh hit back late in the first half through James Conive's moment of brilliance. The midfielder's 25-yard free-kick flew into the top corner beyond Ross Glendinning's outstretched arm – a carbon copy of their first-leg goal and a rare moment of quality from the Championship runners-up. Advertisement However, Carrick quickly restored their momentum just after the break when Gibson effectively ended the contest on 52 minutes. Heatley turned provider with a lofted delivery into the box, where Gibson controlled expertly on his chest and guided the ball into the far corner. Heatley put the icing on the cake eight minutes before the end when Gibson crossed low into the six-yard box, and the former Crusaders forward applied the simplest of finishes. Ciaran McGurgan's charges never lacked spirit, but across both legs, Carrick Rangers ultimately demonstrated their superior class to preserve their top-flight status.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Hat-trick hero Gibson 'absolutely lethal'
Danny Gibson's hat-trick saw Carrick Rangers take a giant step towards Irish Premiership safety as Stephen Baxter's side beat Annagh United 5-2 in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off. After the game BBC Sport NI caught up with both managers. Advertisement Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter on Gibson's hat-trick: "He was absolutely lethal, that's Danny. "If you put the ball in the right areas for him, he'll run on and score that goal, and tonight he found those spaces and was a handful all night, but that's the type of player Danny is. "He has been playing well the last number of games. What I know Danny to be is that he has power and aggression, and if he gets a sight of the goal, he'll score." On the performance of his side: "I'm very pleased. I'm probably disappointed if I'm honest that we didn't add to the five and with the two we conceded, but that's always the case around a manager - we will always pick out faults. Advertisement "It's only half-time, you can't get carried away with it. You're up the road with a 3-0 lead and you've to finish the job off on Friday night. That's what this game's all about, you've got to find a way through, and it's far from over." Annagh United's Ciaran McGurgan on his side's defensive performance: "We are really, really disappointed. What we've done well all season defensively, we have the most clean sheets in the league, we didn't do this evening. "I thought tonight we were well off it, it was a car crash at times. That's the most disappointing thing. "The things we've done well to get results to get us here tonight, we didn't do, and Carrick punished us every time it went forward in the first half." Advertisement On the approach to the second leg: "It's only half-time, and yes, unfortunately, we are three goals down, but you get an early goal, and that changes things and gives you belief and momentum. "They have to believe that they can go out on Friday night and give a good account of themselves and get themselves back in it."
BBC News
29-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Hat-trick hero Gibson 'absolutely lethal'
Danny Gibson's hat-trick saw Carrick Rangers take a giant step towards Irish Premiership safety as Stephen Baxter's side beat Annagh United 5-2 in the first leg of the promotion/relegation play-off. After the game BBC Sport NI caught up with both Rangers manager Stephen Baxter on Gibson's hat-trick: "He was absolutely lethal, that's Danny."If you put the ball in the right areas for him, he'll run on and score that goal, and tonight he found those spaces and was a handful all night, but that's the type of player Danny is."He has been playing well the last number of games. What I know Danny to be is that he has power and aggression, and if he gets a sight of the goal, he'll score."On the performance of his side: "I'm very pleased. I'm probably disappointed if I'm honest that we didn't add to the five and with the two we conceded, but that's always the case around a manager - we will always pick out faults."It's only half-time, you can't get carried away with it. You're up the road with a 3-0 lead and you've to finish the job off on Friday night. That's what this game's all about, you've got to find a way through, and it's far from over."Annagh United's Ciaran McGurgan on his side's defensive performance: "We are really, really disappointed. What we've done well all season defensively, we have the most clean sheets in the league, we didn't do this evening."I thought tonight we were well off it, it was a car crash at times. That's the most disappointing thing. "The things we've done well to get results to get us here tonight, we didn't do, and Carrick punished us every time it went forward in the first half."On the approach to the second leg: "It's only half-time, and yes, unfortunately, we are three goals down, but you get an early goal, and that changes things and gives you belief and momentum. "They have to believe that they can go out on Friday night and give a good account of themselves and get themselves back in it."
