Latest news with #JimErvin
Belfast Telegraph
3 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Donal at the double as Ballymena United Rock Glenavon: ‘Opening day win will give us a huge lift'
Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin led the chorus of praise for his unlikely midfield goalscoring hero Donal Rocks following a rare opening day League win for the Braidmen.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Your guide to the new Irish League season - new signings, season targets and star men
The new Irish Premiership season is finally upon us and it looks set to be a thrilling campaign. Champions Linfield will be hoping to defend their crown, but we have a look at the other contenders out to wrestle the Gibson Cup from their grasp. We have looked at all 12 teams from their opening fixtures to their star men and key signing ahead of the big kick-off. READ MORE: Coleraine resolve goalkeeping crisis with Derby County loan signing READ MORE: Pat Hoban reaffirms Derry City stance as he prepares for new chapter at Glentoran Manager: Jim Ervin Star Man: Ben Kennedy Key signing: Daire O'Connor (Hamilton Academicals) In: Ryan McNickle (Newry City), Declan Breen (Cliftonville), Matthew Clarke (Livingston), Jack O'Reilly (Carrick Rangers), Daire O'Connor (Hamilton Academicals), David Toure (Glenavon), Joel Thompson (Finn Harps), Ali Gould (Watford) Out: Conor Barr (Derry City - end of loan), Duncan Idehen (Derry City - end of loan), Jordan McMullan (Glenavon), Johnny McMurray (retired), Sam Johnston (unattached), Caleb Crawford (unattached), Fiontan O'Boyle (Ballyclare Comrades), Shane Flynn (unattached), Joe Moore (Armagh City), Caoloan Loughran (Loan - Ards), Lewis Tennant (Loan - Dundela), Shea McAuley (Loan - Coagh United) Last season: 9th First fixtures: GLENA [A], PORT [A], BANG [H] Season targets: It's been a busy summer at The Showgrounds with eight new arrivals, boss Jim Ervin will be looking for at least a top six finish and pushing for Europe Manager: Lee Feeney Star Man: Ben Arthurs Key signing: Mark Haughey (Glenavon) In: Gareth Deane (Glenavon), Stephen McGuinness (Cliftonville), Mark Haughey (Glenavon), Ross Ferguson (Larne), Harry Lynch (Glenavon), Liam Burns (Linfield) Out: Patrick Solis Grogan ( Dungannon Swifts - end of loan), Adam Neale (Ballymacash Rangers), Jack Reilly (Ards), James Taylor (Ards), Callum Byers (Victoria Athletic), Ben Fry (Knockbreda) Last season: Championship winners First fixtures: CLIF [H], GLENS [A], CRUES [H] Season targets: Staying in the division will be the club's main target and Feeney has recruited well with a good mix of youth and experience Manager: Stephen Baxter Star Man: Danny Gibson Key signing: Jimmy Callacher (Crusaders) In: Aidan Steele (Ards), Billy Joe Burns (Crusaders), Adam Lecky (Crusaders), Nathan Gartside (Loughgall), Jimmy Callacher (Crusaders), Scott Pengelly (Grand View University), Ryan Waide (Loughgall), Jack Scott (Loan - Coleraine) Out: Curtis Allen (retired), Jack Hastings (Larne - end of loan), Kurtis Forsythe (Crusaders), David Cushley (retired), Jack Hastings (Larne - end of loan), Jack McIntyre (unattached), Reece Webb (unattached), Shane Forbes (unattached), Ross Glendinning (Loughgall), Jack O'Reilly ( Ballymena United), Steven Gordon (Ards), Albert Watson (Armagh City) Last season: 11th First fixtures: CRUES [A], BANG [A], DUNG [A] Season targets: The addition of Billy Joe Burns, Adam Lecky and Jimmy Callacher provides valuable experience with Baxter hoping to avoid another relegation scrap Manager: Jim Magilton Star Man: Rory Hale Key signing: Rhyss Campbell (Coleraine) In: Conor Falls (Huddersfield Town), PJ Morrison (Alloa Athletic), Conor Barr (Derry City - loan), Rhyss Campbell (Coleraine) Out: Kris Lowe (Glenavon), Rory Donnelly (Newington), Declan Breen (Ballymena United), Arran Pettifer (Arbroath), Destiny Ojo (unattached), Ryan Markey (unattached), Stephen McGuinness ( Bangor ), David Odumosu (Cork City), Sean Stewart (Sligo Rovers), Shea Kearney (Dunfermline Athletic) Last season: 7th First fixtures: BANG [A], COLE [H], LAR [H] Season targets: Magilton will be looking to get back into the top six and possibly a third trophy in as many seasons Manager: Ruaidhri Higgins Star Man: Charles Dunne Key signing: Joel Cooper (Linfield) In: Kodi Lyons-Foster (Glentoran), Stephen Fallon (Linfield), Joel Cooper (Linfield), Will Patching (Carlisle United - loan), Adam Long (Fylde), Lewis McGregor (Airdrie), Ryan Schofield (Morecambe), Charles Dunne (unattached), Harry Evans (Derby County - loan) Out: Kyle Spence (unattached), Paddy Burns (Glenavon), Kyle McClelland (Hibernian - end of loan), Rory Brown (unattached), Aidan Tejada (Institute - loan), Jack Scott (Carrick Rangers - loan), Rhyss Campbell (Cliftonville) Last season: 5th First fixtures: LAR [H], CLIF [A], DUNG [H] Season targets: With some impressive signings the Bannsiders will be looking to challenge for honours Manager: Declan Caddell Star Man: Jarlath O'Rourke Key signing: Elliot Dunlop (Airdrie) In: Kieran McKechnie (Arbroath), Kurtis Forsythe (Carrick Rangers), Finley Thorndike (Glentoran), Brendan Hamilton (Aberdeen), Musa Dibaga (Inverness Caledonian Thistle) Adam Brooks (Inverness Caledonian Thistle), Elliot Dunlop (Airdrie), Fraser Bryden (Ayr United) Out: Jordan Stewart (Glentoran), Billy Joe Burns (Carrick Rangers), Jimmy Callacher (Carrick Rangers), Adam Lecky (Carrick Rangers), Billy Vance (unattached), Ryan Kerr (Dundela), Mal Smith (Dungannon Swifts), Phil Lowry (Limavady United), Alex King (Airdrie), Harry Frankin (Connah's Quay Nomads), Josh O'Connor (East Kilbride), Daniel Larmour (Glentoran) Last season: 6th First fixtures: CARR [H], BANG [A], GLENS [H] Season targets: Staying in the top six will be key for Caddell following the departure of several experienced stars Manager: Rodney McAree Star Man: Gael Bigirimana Key signing: Sean McAllister (Marine) In: Mal Smith (Crusaders), Peter Maguire (Ballinamallard United), Tiernan Kelly (Loughgall), Sean McAllister (Marine), Darragh McBrien (Linfield) Out: Dean Curry (retired), Oliver Crowe (Loughgall - loan), John McGovern (Shamrock Rovers), Grant Hutchinson (unattached), Padraig Lynch (Institute), Tommy Connolly (Ballinamallard United - loan), Aidan Hegarty (Institute - loan) Last season: 4th First fixtures: LINF [A], PORT [H], COLE [A] Season targets: McAree will be hoping the Swifts can kick on again following last season's success and stay in the top six Manager: Paddy McLaughlin Star Man: Jack Malone Key signing: Harry Murphy (Glentoran) In: Jordan McMullan (Ballymena United), Oran O'Kane (H&W Welders), Kris Lowe (Cliftonville), Luke Cartwright (Loughgall), Paddy Burns (Coleraine), Stephen Mallon (Sligo Rovers), Harry Murphy (Glentoran), Kyle McClelland (Hibernian), Francely Lomboto (Sligo Rovers), Jacob Carney (unattached) Out: Mark Haughey (Bangor), Aaron Heaney (Derry City - end of loan), Harry Murphy (Glentoran - end of loan), Marc Matthews (Ards), Rhys Marshall (retired), Calum Birney (Dundela), Aaron Prendergast (Loughgall - loan), Harry Norton (Loughgall), Gareth Deane (Bangor), David Toure (Ballymena United), Len O'Sullivan (Ross County), James Doona (unattached), Chris Atherton (Chelsea), Stephen Teggart (Armagh City), Harry Lynch (Bangor) Last season: 10th First fixtures: BMU [H], CARR [A], GLENS [A] Season targets: First full season for McLaughlin and he will be hoping to push for a European play-off spot Manager: Declan Devine Star Man: Danny Amos Key signing: Pat Hoban (Derry City) In: Liam Burt (unattached), Jordan Stewart (Crusaders), Pat Hoban (Derry City), Daniel Larmour (Crusaders), Ryan Cooney (Crewe Alexandra), Peter Urminsky (St Mirren - loan) Out: Wassim Aouachria (unattached), Finley Thorndike (Crusaders), Jay Donnelly (Newington), Niall McGinn (unattached), Fuad Sule (Persis Solo), Kodi Lyons-Foster (Coleraine), Theo McToal (Ballyclare Comrades), Patrick McClean (Sligo Rovers), Daniel Gyollai (Kolorcity Kazincbarcika), Harry Murphy (Glenavon) Last season: 3rd First fixtures: PORTS [A], BANG [H], GLENA [H] Season targets: Devine will be hoping the Glens can put together a serious challenge for honours this season Manager: Nathan Rooney Star Man: Rohan Ferguson Key signing: Dan Bent (Lincoln Red Imps) In: Matt Ridley (Blyth Spartans), Dan Bent (Lincoln Red Imps), Kobei Moore (Aston Villa), Alfie Bridgman (Fareham Town) Out: Shaun Want (Ayr United), Sean Brown (Linfield), Olatunde Bayode (unattached), Joe Besant (unattached), Ali Omar (unattached) Harry Panayiotou (unattached), Caolan Donnelly (Ards), Ambrose Ajala ( Queen's University - loan) Last season: 2nd First fixtures: COLE [A], CLIF [A], PORTS [H] Season targets: First full season for Rooney and he will be hoping the Invermen can push for the title once more Manager: David Healy Star Man: Kyle McClean Key signing: Sean Brown (Larne) In: Sean Brown (Larne) Out: Stephen Fallon (Coleraine), Joel Cooper (Coleraine), Darragh McBrien (Dungannon Swifts), Ethan Devine (Harland and Wolff Welders), Rhys McGarry (Ballyclare Comrades), Kalum Thompson (Nottingham Forest), Liam Burns (Bangor) Last season: Champions First fixtures: DUNG [H], CARR [A], CLIFT [H] Season targets: Still the team to beat despite several key players moving on, a lot will depend on their European exploits Manager: Niall Currie Star Man: Shay McCartan Key signing: Rayhaan Tulloch (Shelbourne) In: Jamie Rea (Loughgall), Alex Moore (Ards), Divin Isamala (Bohemians), Rayhaan Tulloch (Shelbourne) Out: Ross Redman (retired), Jordan Williamson (Ballymacash Rangers), Dougie Wilson (Loughgall), Eoghan McCawl (unattached), Jamie McDonagh (unattached), Jake Willis (Ballymacash Rangers), Zach Cowan (Banbridge Town - loan), Joe McKay (Banbridge Town - loan) Last season: 8th First fixtures: GLENS [H], DUNG [A], BMU [H] Season targets: Currie will be hoping they can build on a decent first season back in the Premiership
Belfast Telegraph
5 days ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Ballymena United manager urges players to raise standards after ‘unacceptable' finish to last season
Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin demands better from his players this season after an 'unacceptable' end to last year's campaign. The Sky Blues finished outside the top six before the Sports Direct Premiership's split in April and wound up ninth overall after winning just one of their last five League games.
BBC News
05-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ervin targeted 'big personalities' to lift standards
Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin believes last season was a "reality check" for his side, but believes the Sky Blues have "gelled really well" ahead of the new finishing ninth last term, it was a busy transfer window on Warden Street with eight players joining the side and 12 leaving the club."They have all gelled really well. We had a training camp two weekends ago and it was all about trying to get the new boys gelled in," Ervin told BBC Sport Northern Ireland."Obviously there are a lot of new faces and big personalities and stuff like that. So it's important that you try and get them gelled in as quickly and as early as possible."I think the guys have settled in really well and they're just itching to get going as well."Despite last season bringing welcome improvements from the previous campaign when the side finished 11th and had to overcome Institute to retain their Premiership status, Ballymena still struggled with consistency through the final six games, they registered just one victory after going 12 games unbeaten earlier in the season."The biggest disappointment of last season was how we faded off in the split. It was a massive reality check to me and the staff in terms of what we want to do and where we want to go," added Ervin. "That's why we've went and recruited certain positions and certain personnel. We are trying to improve not only that position, but also the competition levels."We want everything to be as high a standard as we possibly can and we feel with bringing in certain types of players that we've brought in, they'll hold that standard really high and they'll call people out when they fall below it."
BBC News
29-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Ballymena United honour young fan's life with new kit design
Ballymena United's manager has said a 21-year-old fan who died in a car crash will always be in their hearts after she is honoured in their new kit. Lydia Ross, who was from the Ballymoney area, died after sustaining serious injuries in a single-vehicle crash in County Londonderry in December 2023. In memory of Lydia, Ballymena United have featured a sky blue ribbon on the front of their third kit for the 2025/26 team's manager, Jim Ervin, said that the "shirt represents Lydia, Paul and the family". He said he "very rarely missed" a Ballymena United football match with Lydia and remembers the events as "special" memories."You're there win, lose, or draw, and that was the way we did it. "It was just me and her - they always say I spoiled her", Mr Ross told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster programme."We have been carried the whole 17 months by so many people, we just can't get over it, and it's still coming."The likes of this, the video, the third kit, there's just always somethings been there in front of us, especially for me to focus on, which gives us great strength that people want to do what they do." Mr Ross said he and Lydia were lucky enough to meet some of the players when they attended matches."The players were all so nice and so welcoming. Her favourite was Steven McCullough."Mr Ross said his late daughter "would not believe" what he is doing."Even though I'm a sales rep and I talk all day, every day, I'm not a good public speaker. "My voice would go at different things, but she won't believe I'm doing this out front, standing at the away." The team's new third kit features blue and grey diagonal stripes with a small sky blue ribbon design in the middle in line with the club crest, in reference to Mr Ross' fundraising campaign. A contribution from all the sales of the shirt will be donated to Air Ambulance NI, a charity Lydia's family has been raising money for since her funeral. Ballymena United manager Jim Ervin said that the "shirt now represents more than just Ballymena United".He added: "I think it goes to show what Paul and Paul's family mean to everybody associated with Ballymena and also the Irish League, and what Paul has done through this last 17 months in supporting and keeping Lydia's memory going."She's certainly someone that at Ballymena we'll always have her in our hearts, and she'll always be very close, like Paul and Paul's family. "We'll always be there to try and help support them as much as we possibly can."Mr Ervin said he knows that Lydia would have been "very proud" of her father.
