Latest news with #Loughgall
Belfast Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
Famous fan who died at 101 taken on emotional last lap of beloved Irish League ground
The funeral of 101-year-old Hilbert Willis, who passed away on Sunday, took place today. The cortege left his late home, via the football club for a final lap of Lakeview Park, before moving on to St Aidan's Parish Church, Grange for the funeral service. Mr Willis had been a lifelong supporter at Loughgall FC, serving various roles. The club paid tribute, saying: 'No words are enough to describe this man who gave a life-long service to Loughgall Football Club and was known right across the Northern Ireland Football League 'Hilbert served the club in countless roles including chairman, vice-chairman, director, groundsman and indeed also a lifelong supporter, where until recently where his health deteriorated he would barely ever have missed a Loughgall game 'Hilbert has done and seen it all at Loughgall, we are in awe of the great man he was and will always have found memories of his stories.' Mr Willis lived all of his life in Loughgall bar nine months in Holywood after his parents moved there when he was a young man. In a previous interview with the Belfast Telegraph, he recalled becoming involved in football in the village 'from I was knee high…' before going on to become an important figure in the history of Loughgall, who were formed in 1967. In 2021 and aged 97, he completed a near year-long challenge of walking 100 times around Lakeview Park. Inspired by the fundraising efforts of Captain Sir Tom Moore in England, who raised £39m for NHS charities walking 100 lengths of his garden, Mr Willis did his laps of honour in aid of Loughgall FC who were suffering financially during Covid-19. He saw the club promoted to the Premiership in 2023. After defying the odds to comfortably stay up in their first season back in the top flight, the Villagers were relegated in May.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ross Glendinning departs Carrick Rangers as club lodges bid for new 'keeper
Carrick Rangers are on the lookout for a new goalkeeper as Ross Glendinning departs the club after three years at Taylors Avenue. The experienced stopper, who has made over 100 appearances for the Gers since making the switch from Glentoran in 2022, is set to move on to pastures new following the expiration of his current deal. Belfast Live understands Glendinning is attracting interest from a number of clubs with the 32-year-old currently weighing up his options. READ MORE: Gary Haveron makes his feelings known as Nathan Rooney returns as Larne manager READ MORE: Conor Bradley points to family sacrifices as he prepares to lift Premier League trophy Glendinning's impending departure leaves Carrick without a recognised first choice goalkeeper after Jack McIntyre also left the club at the end of the season. Boss Stephen Baxter is trying to address the situation as quickly as possible with the club reported to have lodged a bid for Nathan Gartside. The former Cliftonville and Derry City stopper is keen to remain in the Premiership following Loughgall's relegation to the Championship. Gartside informed the Villagers of his wish to move on following the end of the season with the club placing him on the transfer list. Carrick though will have to meet Loughgall's valuation for the player with Glenavon another side rumoured to be keen on recruiting the 27-year-old. It has been a busy few weeks for Carrick boss Stephen Baxter with the signings of Billy Joe Burns and Adam Lecky from his former club Crusaders. Luke O'Brien and Cian O'Malley have also agreed contract extensions at Taylors Avenue after joining the club last season. There have been departures as well though as David Cushley announced his retirement and Kurtis Forsythe moved on to the Crues.
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Portadown's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 8thPlayer of the year: Aaron McCareyHaving won the 2023-24 Championship title to secure passage back to the top flight, Portadown did well to stay comfortably clear of the race to avoid the drop. Under experienced boss Niall Currie, the Ports secured some impressive results, including a last-gasp draw with Linfield in August, two home wins over Larne in October and February and victories on the road against Crusaders and Glentoran. In the end, the Shamrock Park outfit weren't quite able to secure a top-six finish despite finishing the season with a hat-trick of wins over Loughgall, Cliftonville and Ballymena club will hope for a better showing in next season's cup competitions, however, after falling at the first hurdle in the BetMcLean Cup and Irish Cup. 2025-26 signings so far: 2025-26 departures so far: Divin Isamala (Bohemians, end of loan), Ross Redman (retired), Jordan Williamson (unattached), Dougie Wilson (Loughgall)
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Loughgall's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 12thPlayer of the year: Nathan GartsideLoughgall defied the odds in their first season in the Irish Premiership as they comfortably avoided relegation and finished season syndrome seemed to hit this year however and just five wins from their 38 games and the worst goal difference in the division of - 49, condemned them to relegation to the second Smith, the manager who had performed wonders to get Loughgall in the top- flight and keep them there, left in March not long after he was hit with a 15-game ban for breaches of the Irish Football Association's disciplinary code following the Villagers' 2-1 defeat to Glentoran in was replaced by former Dungannon Swifts boss Darren Murphy, who managed a win and a draw during the last five league games of the intentions will now turn to assembling a squad capable of coming straight back up again next season and he has already added experienced defender Dougie Wilson.2025-26 signings so far: Dougie Wilson (Portadown)2025-26 departures so far: Benji Magee (Larne, end of loan), Alberto Balde (unattached), Jamie Rea (unattached)
Belfast Telegraph
16-05-2025
- Sport
- Belfast Telegraph
From the ridiculous to the sublime and all in between, here's the ultimate A to Z of yet another roller-coaster Irish League season
The 2024/25 Irish League season was a tale of triumph and tragedy, bringing us tears of sadness and joy. History was made domestically and in Europe. Linfield finished top of the Premiership, Loughgall at the bottom and, in the middle, chaos ensued.
