Northern Irish Premiership Round-up
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There was final day drama as battle the for European and relegation play-off places went to the wire.
Portadown secured a Europa League spot as a win over Cliftonville saw them leapfrog their Belfast rivals and secure second place in the Carling Premiership.
A Crusaders victory over Coleraine meant that despite losing the game Cliftonville finished in third spot and can look forward to a European adventure next season.
Crusaders, who recently defeated Sligo Rovers in the Setanta Cup semi-final, again rested their first team regulars as they prepare for next week’s Irish Cup final against Linfield and the Setanta final with Derry City a week later.
By rotating his squad Stephen Baxter will have given himself a selection headache for the important up-coming fixtures as a number of the stand-in players, notably Jordan Owens and Ryan McCann, laid down heavy markers for inclusion in the starting line-up. Both players got on the score sheet to end Coleraine’s European ambitions leaving the Bannsiders to settle for a place in next year’s Setanta Cup.
At the other end of the table a defeat by Ballymena United leaves Lisburn Distillery facing a two-legged relegation play-off with second placed Championship side Newry City.
Lisburn needed a victory to ensure their Premiership status but the defeat has meant that Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon, who played out a two-all draw, will retain their position in the top flight.
Glentoran overcame their great rivals Linfield in Windsor Park but it was the home side who were celebrating at the end when they collected the Gibson Cup or the third year in a row as their euphoric manager, David Jeffrey’s, described their achievement as “the best yet”.
