Irish League Round Up: Stewart hat-trick sends Linfield clear at the top while Glentoran keeper Morris scores 

Linfield are now three points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership after Ballymena United's blip continued.

Irish League Round Up: Stewart hat-trick sends Linfield clear at the top while Glentoran keeper Morris scores 

Linfield are now three points clear at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership after Ballymena United's blip continued.

David Jeffrey confident his Ballymena side will strike back after first home defeat 

Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey believes his boys will not suffer a hangover from their first home defeat of the season.

Four clubs approach Institute goal machine Michael McCrudden 

Glenavon and Ballymena United have joined the race to net Institute goal machine Michael McCrudden.

Andy Waterworth has the final say for Linfield with double 

Andy Waterworth's glorious double last night earned Linfield a slot in the final of the County Antrim Shield.

Waterworth double downs Ballymena as Linfield reach Shield decider 

Linfield will play Crusaders in the final of the County Antrim Shield after an Andy Waterworth double helped the Blues see off Ballymena United 2-1 in the semi-final.

We owe them one: Linfield's Joel Cooper keen to set down a marker against title rivals Ballymena United 

Influential midfielder Joel Cooper believes Linfield can set down a marker in tonight's County Antrim Shield semi-final showdown with Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

Ballymena United are punching above our weight, insists Jeffrey 

Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey has insisted that the Sky Blues are punching above their weight this season ahead of tonight's eagerly awaited County Antrim Shield semi-final against Linfield.

Johnny McMurray set to stay at Ballymena United, hints boss David Jefffrey 

Johnny McMurray could be staying at Ballymena United for the rest of the season after all.

Irish Cup draw in full and results: Linfield to face Crusaders while non league duo go head to head after three cup upsets 

Crusaders will travel to Linfield after they beat Glentoran to seal their spot in the Tennent's Irish Cup sixth round.

There's no inferiority complex at Ballymena, says David Jeffrey 

There are certain fixtures you look at and underline with red pen as potentially season-defining ones and it's time to get that felt tip out of your pencil case.

David Jeffrey salutes crowd and skipper Jim Ervin as Ballymena United end year on top 

David Jeffrey congratulated Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter on his BEM in the New Year Honours list on Saturday but if things keep going the way they are for the Ballymena United boss the fans will be calling for him to be knighted this time next year!

Johns' heroics denied us derby delight: Jeffrey 

Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey paid tribute to his own players and the man who almost brought an end to his side's long unbeaten run.

Irish League in pictures: Linfield and Crusaders enjoy four goal wins as league leaders slip up 

Linfield and Crusaders were the big winners of the Boxing Day derbies with four-goal successes while league leading Ballymena United had to score in the last minute to avoid defeat.

I am fully aware of what this means to the fans: David Jeffrey 

In terms of Derby Day showdowns, there isn't much that David Jeffrey hasn't experienced as a player or manager.

We're flying high at the top but it's vital we keep momentum going: Addis 

Jonny Addis says Ballymena United will not be distracted by any "foolish" title talk.

Postponed: Linfield and Ballymena United's County Antrim Shield semi-final beaten by the weather again 

Linfield and Ballymena United's County Antrim Shield semi-final has been postponed for a second time.

Jeffrey's experience key for Sky Blues: Addis 

Defender Johnny Addis insists manager David Jeffrey has the knack of keeping everyone grounded - even though Ballymena United are breaking records on a weekly basis.

Irish League defender forced to retire at age of just 29 

Portadown announced yesterday that their captain Johnny Flynn has retired from football.

Cathair Friel hails Adam Lecky arrival as key to Braid success 

Hotshot Cathair Friel believes Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey pulled off a masterstroke by bringing beanpole striker Adam Lecky to the Warden Street Showgrounds.

I'm happy in midfield - especially after taking on Ryan Mayse: Ballymena hero Leroy Millar 

Ballymena United goal hero Leroy Millar admits he doesn't intend to suffer another dollop of disappointment when his team face Linfield in the final of the BetMcLean League Cup on February 16.

Jeffrey hails 'top drawer' Leroy Millar as Ballymena earn another League Cup final spot 

Ballymena United boss David Jeffrey last night saluted the mental strength of his players after they punched their ticket to the final of the BetMcLean League Cup.

Ballymena and Linfield through to League Cup final after narrow semi successes 

The Premiership's current top two sides will do battle in the Bet McLean League Cup final.

Tired Ballymena need to recharge batteries after 10 in a row, says Jeffrey 

David Jeffrey is anticipating one of the toughest games of the season for his rampant Ballymena United side tonight when they face Crusaders at Seaview in the BetMcLean League Cup semi-final.

High-flying Braidmen are a cut above, says McDonnell 

David Jeffrey won't indulge in title talk about his Ballymena United side. Warrenpoint Town boss Stephen McDonnell, however, is in no doubt they can challenge for the crown. He believes they are the 'real deal' and 'the best team in the Irish League right now'.

Ballymena confirm contact from Irish League club over Johnny McMurray 

Ballymena United have received contact from Linfield over transfer-listed striker Johnny McMurray.

Irish Cup fifth round draw in full: Crusaders to face Glentoran while Rosemount Rec handed 'fairy-tale' tie 

It's one of the biggest days in the Irish League calendar - Tennent's Irish Cup fifth round draw day with a couple of big ties set for January 5.

Ballymena United keeping feet on ground: Kane 

Tony Kane insists no one will be getting above their station as Ballymena United chase down Linfield at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership table.

In pictures: Holders Crusaders see off Larne in cagey County Antrim Shield semi-final 

Larne might be the Irish League's next big thing, but the current top dogs reminded their visitors of the present hierarchy in the County Antrim Shield semi-final at Seaview.

The daddy of them all: Healy hails Jeffrey but rejects Ballymena's naivety claims 

Linfield manager David Healy doesn't plan to get caught up in mind games ahead of tonight's County Antrim Shield semi-final showdown with Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

Larne and Linfield set to battle for McMurray as striker transfer-listed by Ballymena 

Big-spending Larne are set to rival Linfield for top Ballymena United striker Johnny McMurray who was transfer-listed by the club in a shock move yesterday.

Jeffrey keeps feet on ground as Sky Blues go top for a while 

David Jeffrey certainly wasn't getting carried away with his side's brief stint at the top of the Danske Bank Premiership following their hard-fought win away to Newry City on Friday night.

Ballymena show grit to scale summit 

Ballymena United hit top spot in the Danske Bank Premiership as they ground out a hard-fought 2-1 win over Newry City at the Newry Showgrounds last night after a brace of first-half goals.

It's lucky 13 for Jeffrey as Braidmen hit the summit 

With their 13th win in 14 games in all competitions, David Jeffrey's Ballymena United moved to the top of the Danske Bank Premiership with a gritty victory away to lowly Newry City.

Ballymena face tough Friday fixture against 'super' Newry, insists Jeffrey 

David Jeffrey believes his Ballymena United side will have to contend with the Friday night factor as well as a revitalised Newry City in tonight's Danske Bank Premiership clash, which could see the Braidmen move to the summit of the table.

Comment: DJ is right, it's time for Ballymena to keep calm and carry on 

As we speak, operatives from whatever Ballymena Council is called this week are pulling down the monstrous carbuncle that passes for a Christmas tree in the town to make way for a giant plinth.

David Jeffrey reveals challenge put to Ballymena players ahead of Glentoran win 

Ballymena United have the wind in their sails and they can now hit top spot in the Danske Bank Premiership if they win at Newry City on Friday night.

Kane hits spot as Sky Blues keep pressure on Linfield 

Ballymena United leap-frogged Glenavon into second spot in the Danske Bank Premiership after recording a fifth straight league win.

Ballymena beat Glentoran to close in on league leaders Linfield 

Ballymena United are up to second in the Danske Bank Premiership after beating Glentoran 2-1 at the Showgrounds.

Ballymena determined to close in on Linfield as Glens visit Showgrounds 

The big games are coming thick and fast for high-flying Ballymena United at the moment but David Jeffrey has only one target in his sights - three points against Glentoran.

David Jeffrey not ready to be gripped by title fever 

Cliftonville went the same way as Crusaders and Glenavon before them as Ballymena United's unlikely title bid took another giant leap forwards on Saturday.

Irish League Round Up: Linfield back on top after win on Brandywell return 

Linfield returned to the top of the Irish Premiership on Saturday after an emphatic victory over Institute in the early kickoff.

Ballymena United ace Leroy Millar signs new two-year deal with club 

Ballymena United midfielder Leroy Millar has agreed a two-year contract extension at Warden Street which will keep him at the club until 2021.

Footballers' Lives with Tony Kane: It's been a year of joy and pain with my wedding, a new baby girl and the loss of my uncle 

The latest in our popular series, Ballymena United midfielder Tony Kane on how he fell out of love with football after spell in England and an emotional year.

Jeffrey joy as Jude fires Sky Blues into final four 

Ballymena United's incredible run continued last night, thanks to a last gasp Jude Winchester goal.

Jeffrey hoping Ballymena can leave last year's cup flop in past 

Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey believes his team have unfinished business with the BetMcLean League Cup which could mean bad news for Ards in tonight's quarter-final.

McFall insists Sky Blues are title contenders 

Glentoran manager Ronnie McFall believes this season's title race is wide open and insists Ballymena United are genuine challengers.

Sky Blues not getting carried away despite exceptional start, says Ervin 

Ballymena United defender Jim Ervin insists the team will remain fully grounded despite their lofty position in the Dansk Bank Premiership table.

I'd love to taste title glory with Ballymena, says Tony Kane 

Ballymena United midfielder Tony Kane says he's dreaming of grasping a league winner's medal before he hangs up the boots.

McMurray late show delights boss Jeffrey 

Johnny McMurray headed a last-gasp winner as Ballymena United brought Glenavon's long unbeaten run to a halt.

Jeffrey does old Blues pals a title favour 

It's advantage Linfield in the Danske Bank Premiership title race after their former boss David Jeffrey's Ballymena United edged out Glenavon 2-1 in front of the BBC cameras at the Showgrounds last night.