ON THIS DAY 104 YEARS AGO: 3000+ spectators watch Bangor defeat RISC 3-1 at Cliftonville in their Intermediate Cup 2nd round 7th replay NEXT MATCH: Tuesday, 4th November - LARNE v BANGOR, BetMcLean League Cup, Inver Park, 7:45pm
Carrick snatched a last gasp winner on a night when Bangor were reduced to ten men.
Keeping Bangor’s unbeaten run going would be just the treat for Ben Arthurs on Halloween when Carrick Rangers visit Clandeboye Park in the Sports Direct Premiership on Friday night.
Lee Feeney’s side are aiming to cap off an unbeaten October having not tasted defeat in any of their five games to date across all competitions this month, and Arthurs naturally wants to keep that run going under the floodlights.
The Kircubbin striker scored his fourth goal of the season in last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Larne last Saturday, adding to victories over Coleraine, Glenavon and Crusaders in league play and Lisburn Distillery in the BetMcLean Cup that mean spirits are sky-high in the Bangor camp.
A positive result against Stephen Baxter’s Gers on Friday night would be the cherry on top, with the sides having already locked horns twice at Taylors Avenue this term – firstly when Carrick emerged 3-0 victors in the County Antrim Shield in early September and then in the league when the contest was abandoned on 54 minutes due to a serious head injury sustained by experienced winger Paul Heatley in a collision with the perimeter wall.
Arthurs says Bangor will take the learnings from those two games and work hard in training to try and extend their purple patch.
“I’m looking forward to it, I’m enjoying my football at the minute.
“It doesn’t necessarily matter who we’re playing – Friday night games at Clandeboye are always a good occasion, good to play in.
“It’ll be Halloween so I don’t know if there’ll be ones out there trick or treating! But I expect there’ll be a big crowd.
“We played Carrick in the County Antrim Shield and we obviously played 50 minutes against them in the league, so we’ll be familiar enough with them from those two games.
“We’ll be in this week preparing hard and hoping to keep this unbeaten run going, but we’ll see come Friday.”
Posted: Thursday, 30th October 2025
Ben Arthurs admits he is glad to be back on the scoresheet after his deadlock-breaker proved crucial in Bangor’s 1-1 draw with Larne at Inver Park on Saturday night.
The Kircubbin marksman plundered the rebound after Invermen goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson could only parry Mick Morgan’s shot into his path, slotting underneath the Scotsman to fire the Seasiders into an eighth-minute lead.
Conor McKendry restored parity for Larne on 63 minutes, curling past Gareth Deane from the edge of the box which ultimately saw the spoils shared in east Antrim – Bangor’s first stalemate of the Sports Direct Premiership campaign.
But Arthurs was glad to hand Bangor the initiative with his fourth goal of the campaign that makes him the outright leader in a well-congested scoring chart to date.
“Yeah, I’m happy with that, to be honest with you. It felt like a wee bit of a drought there from my last goal against Coleraine a few weeks ago, but I’m wanting to get on the scoresheet as much as I can.
“I thought it was a relatively good goal – my flick-on, Tiarnan (Mulvenna) makes a good run, good cross, Mick makes a good run to the near post and it was a good passage of play, albeit direct. And then, thankfully, I was there to finish the rebound so, yeah, it was good.
“Scoring first seems to be pretty important in this league – it’s a tough game down at Inver Park and we got the first goal, and you’d rather be in that situation, having something to hang on to.
“Obviously, we were wanting to extend the lead to 2-0 and Larne managed to equalise but, all in all, I’m happy to get back on the scoresheet.”
Ben Arthurs
Arthurs also feels it’s a sign of how far Bangor have come given past meetings with Larne when the Seasiders were in the lower leagues generally ended up in comfortable defeats.
Previously, a then-Premier Intermediate League Bangor side were beaten 5-0 in a January 2022 Irish Cup tie at Clandeboye Park in which Northern Ireland striker Ronan Hale scored four, while Larne also emerged on top 3-0 in a County Antrim Shield clash at Inver Park in October 2023 not long after the Yellows had gained promotion into the Championship.
Larne had also won 2-0 in the sides’ first meeting this season at Clandeboye Park last month courtesy of second-half wonder strikes by McKendry and Benji Magee, but Arthurs feels that there is pride to be taken from a draw on Saturday.
“I think that’s four wins and a draw – in the league, we’re four unbeaten and it was funny that it was our first draw of the season, we’re 11 or 12 games into the league and we’ve either won or lost.
“We were happy with a point going down to Inver Park – I was thinking about it on reflection since I’ve been at Bangor, any time we’ve played Larne before, it was sort of a no-contest.
“Apart from the game earlier in the season at home when they beat us 2-0, I thought it was a relatively close game, but in previous years when we were in the PIL and stuff like that, it was 5-0 every time.
“We’d never even got close to laying a glove on them, so it was sort of a testament to how far the club and the team has come.
“I suppose even the 2-0 at home, and it was two wonder goals, but we’re mixing it up and we’re competing with a top side like Larne who have won a couple of leagues over the past three years, so I think there’s a lot of pride to be taken.”
Ben Arthurs
Bangor have faced two full-time sides this month in Coleraine and Larne and claimed four points from a possible six, and Arthurs says the players are completely unfazed whenever they come up against opposition of that calibre.
The 27-year-old, Bangor’s current longest-serving player having joined in the summer of 2018, also pointed to the spread of goals in the team as a show of their collective spirit.
“That’s just something we’ve got to do – it’s not going to change, these teams are full-time and people can sit and cry about it, how can we compete, this and that, but we just have to make do with what we have.
“We still train hard, we still prepare well and we can just turn up every week and do our best to compete and try and win against whoever we’re playing.
“We’ve got a great group of lads, tight-knit changing room and we want to do our best for Bangor and our best for each other.
“Every weekend, that’s just what it’s about – everyone turning up with that mindset, prepared and ready to fight with each other.
“In my time, it’s probably the first time it’s fully been like that where the goals have been absolutely divided throughout everyone, which is good – that’s what you want.
“Last week (against Crusaders), Stevie (McGuinness) coming on and scoring the winner, brilliant, but even in the games where we’re scoring three or four goals, Portadown (4-1), Glenavon (3-0) and stuff, it’s all different scorers and to me, that’s the sign of a good team.
“There’s people not standing about waiting for someone else to do it – everyone’s sort of taken ownership of the situation and just wanting to make sure we dig in and we win.
“I watch some of the team-mates around me and the effort that’s going in is first class.
“That’s what the fans want, that’s our duty, our obligation – we’re there for 90 minutes and why not give it your all, leave everything you have.
“That’s exactly what the boys are doing, everyone putting their bodies on the line and not hiding or giving up on anything, just competing to the max and seeing how far it takes us.”
Bangor’s unbeaten run across all competitions stretched into a fifth consecutive game after claiming a highly creditable 1-1 draw with Larne at Inver Park on Saturday evening.
The Seasiders made it a fourth Sports Direct Premiership game in succession without defeat as they settled for their first stalemate of the campaign, with Ben Arthurs’ early deadlock-breaker cancelled out by Conor McKendry’s equaliser just before the midway point of the second half.
In what was the sides’ first meeting at Inver Park in a top-flight fixture since 1994, Kircubbin marksman Arthurs had the away side off to a dream start just eight minutes into the contest when he slotted in his 161st goal in yellow and blue.
As was perhaps to be expected, a barrage of pressure followed from the Inver Reds with McKendry equalising in eye-catching style on 63 minutes, but Bangor held their nerve and came away from east Antrim with a hard-earned point.
Manager Lee Feeney made a handful of changes to his starting line-up from the 2-1 win over Crusaders at Clandeboye Park the previous week.
Experienced midfielder Robbie Garrett was introduced in place of the ineligible Larne loanee Oisin Devlin, while Mick Morgan, Jack O’Mahony and Stephen McGuinness – all brought on as subs against the Crues, with the latter plundering the all-important winning goal – were handed starting shirts in place of Kyle Owens and Jay Boyd, who dropped to the bench, and Lewis Harrison, who was absent through injury.
That also meant a change to a back-three formation for this third-versus-fourth encounter as Bangor prepared to soak up the heat against a Larne side who had won 10 of their last 11 in all competitions and had been crowned Irish League champions in both 2023 and 2024.
Against the odds, though, the Yellows drew first blood. Arthurs’ headed flick-on sent Tiarnan Mulvenna charging down the right and the midfielder crossed into the box where livewire Morgan was lurking.
Although his shot was parried by Rohan Ferguson, the Larne stopper could do little to deny Arthurs, who kept moving forward and slotted low into the net for the opening goal inside 10 minutes.
Larne looked to hit back, with Tiarnan O’Connor flicking a header wide of Gareth Deane’s goal from inside the six-yard area, but Bangor did enjoy another strong chance on the half-hour mark when Morgan’s effort from the edge of the box was safely held by Ferguson.
Advanced defender Aaron Donnelly fired a shot over Deane’s crossbar five minutes before half-time, with Bangor retaining their slender advantage, but the hosts did manage to haul back level just after the hour.
Winger McKendry – who scored a spectacular goal in Larne’s 2-0 victory at Clandeboye Park last month – scooped up the ball on the edge of the box and managed to fashion a swerving shot that curled beyond Deane into the bottom left corner which restored parity on the night.
From there, Deane gathered from Leroy Millar’s header, while the goalkeeper had to be on his guard when a miscued cross from Sean Graham on the left sailed over his crossbar.
Chris Gallagher and Paul O’Neill enjoyed further snapshots as Larne piled on the pressure in search of a winner, but the full-time whistle blew with Bangor having held out for a share of the spoils at Inver Park against their full-time adversaries.
Jack O’Mahony says he is hoping Bangor’s recent positive form provides momentum going into Saturday evening’s testing trip to Inver Park to take on Larne.
It’s an unlikely third-versus-fourth showdown in east Antrim, with the Seasiders picking up three Sports Direct Premiership victories on the bounce to sit just below the two-time Irish League champions ahead of this weekend’s encounter.
Larne won the first meeting of the sides back in early September, with long-range piledrivers from Conor McKendry and Benji Magee settling the issue at Clandeboye Park after there had been little to split the sides for the first hour of the contest.
With the Invermen having also since appointed Gary Haveron as their permanent first-team manager last week – he had been in interim charge after stepping up from his assistant role following Nathan Rooney’s departure back in August – their spirits are also buoyed, and a run of 10 wins in their last 11 matches across all competitions means they’ll be a stern test.
But former Northern Ireland Under-21 international O’Mahony is unfazed and says Bangor have their sights set purely on picking up three points that would see them move within a point of their hosts in the league standings.
“It’s going to be a tough game, we all know – even last time, I think up to the 60-minute mark, you could’ve said we were the better team, but you could see the full-time quality kicking in towards those last 30 minutes.
“But listen, as with every game, we want to go and win it. There’s no team Lee will set up to go and draw a game or maybe hopefully get something.
“We want to win every game, and I think that’s the best attitude to go in with.
“We have confidence in ourselves and we’re on a good run of form, we’ve a good couple of wins under the belt, and when you’re on a good bit of form, you’ve got to take that into the next game and hopefully get those three points.”
Posted: Thursday, 23rd October 2025
Jack O’Mahony reflected on a good day’s work for Bangor on Saturday afternoon and praised the Seasiders’ ability to weather a storm in overcoming Crusaders 2-1 at Clandeboye Park.
The versatile midfielder was drafted on by Lee Feeney at half-time and played his part in an enthralling second half, with fellow substitute Stephen McGuinness slamming in the winner with his first touch 10 minutes from time.
That came after Adam Brooks finished off a neat Crusaders interchange on 54 minutes that made it 1-1, with Liam Hassin’s deflected effort earlier putting Bangor ahead after former Crues striker Jay Boyd did superbly to tee him up shortly after the half-hour mark.
While the second half was nervy at points, O’Mahony said it was a credit that the Yellows were able to pull through and move into fourth place in the Sports Direct Premiership table.
“Yeah, it was good, the first half was very good and the boys did very well – I thought we had plenty of chances as well, Crusaders didn’t really get into the game.
“Second half, they got into the game and obviously me and Mick (Morgan) coming on, it takes a few minutes or so to get into the game.
“But I think even when they scored the equaliser, we seemed to fight back and, obviously, Stevie came on, first touch, got a goal, which is brilliant for him.
“So, it was a good day all round.”
Jack O'Mahony
Randalstown native O’Mahony added that a late change in shape helped stabilise Bangor and prepare them for seeing the game out.
McGuinness powered past Crues stopper Jonny Tuffey after Morgan flicked the ball into the defender’s path, and O’Mahony felt the hosts managed the contest professionally after that.
“Definitely, the second half did open up – you could see both teams were sort of breaking on each other.
“I think once we changed to a 3-5-2 in the last 10, 15 minutes, we sort of got control of it and we were 2-1 up and we seen the game out very well.
“I don’t think they really had a chance after that once we went to the 3-5-2.”
Jack O'Mahony
The 25-year-old went on to highlight the importance of substitutes coming on to make a mark and turn the tide back in Bangor’s favour when the going gets tough.
It’s unrealistic to expect any team to be firing on all cylinders all of the time, but O’Mahony admitted there’s something sweeter about those kinds of wins – and with the points in the bag at the end of it, he has few complaints.
Of Feeney’s changes, Morgan and McGuinness combined for the winning goal, O’Mahony routinely showed neat touches while Ben Cushnie also replaced Tiarnan Mulvenna late on and helped see the contest out.
And the former Northern Ireland Under-21 international pointed to how replacements can make a major impact on the contest.
“There’s going to be games where we’re not at our best and we’re sort of under pressure quite a bit.
“But they’re the games where if you can get three points, it’s very good, and you’re thinking the second half when it went 1-1, flip, it was going to be tight.
“But we reacted very quickly to that and it’s brilliant – and as the coaching staff were saying before the game, boys coming off the bench and making an impact, and Stevie did that.
“It was brilliant, so it was – first touch, goal.”
Jack O'Mahony
That ‘first touch, goal’ sentiment is one O’Mahony can relate to given that was exactly the case for him seven days prior, striking Bangor’s third goal away to Glenavon in second-half stoppage-time having just come on as a sub moments earlier.
As such, the former Lurgan Blues, Coleraine and Ballymena United man is well-placed to talk about Bangor’s strength in depth and how that is having a positive effect all around the club.
With three league wins in a row, four victories in succession across all competitions and five triumphs in the last six games having been banked going back to early September, spirits are high in the dressing room for good reason – and O’Mahony believes the strength in depth and healthy competition with everybody pushing each other to be better is central to that.
“It definitely shows the strength in depth and it shows that everyone’s competing for places.
“And I think that’s the best thing, especially when we’re up in this league.
“The boys on the bench want to be starting, the boys on the pitch want to keep their place and that’s just pushing everyone on.
“As soon as boys come on, they want to show what they can do, and I just think the whole club benefits from that, every game we benefit from that.
“It keeps us strong, it keeps us going because the boys on the pitch know that the boys on the bench, once they get their chance, they want to take their place but, also, they want to keep their place.
“So, I’d say that’s what keeps us all going, keeps us ticking over, keeps boys on their toes.”
Stephen McGuinness admitted he felt like he had made amends after scoring the decisive goal to help Bangor overcome Crusaders 2-1 in the Sports Direct Premiership on Saturday.
The defender was an unlikely matchwinner at Clandeboye Park, rifling past Crues goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey with his very first touch on 80 minutes having been substituted on just seconds earlier.
It was a highly contrasting 80th minute for McGuinness compared to the sides’ first meeting in August when he was shown a straight red card for an off-the-ball incident with Crusaders striker Fraser Bryden, and the 22-year-old left-back felt the onus was on him to make up for his dismissal.
The former Cliftonville man was satisfied his low strike after connecting to Mick Morgan’s intuitive flick-on did just that as the Seasiders made it three league victories on the spin.
“Yeah, it was a good win for us – I think we needed that after the last time we played against them and they beat us here.
“It just makes it a lot better because I let myself down in that last game, so I feel like scoring the winner kind of made up for that for me.
“But it’s a full squad effort, squad game, so whenever Feeno (Lee Feeney) calls upon the boys on the bench, that’s what we need to come on and do.
“You have to try and come on and affect the game and, thankfully, I was able to do that.”
Stephen McGuinness
It was McGuinness’ first goal of the season and second in a Bangor shirt in total going back to his initial loan from Cliftonville during the first half of last term’s Playr-Fit Championship.
The Glengormley defender also tagged on three Premiership strikes after being recalled by the Reds in January and has been adding goals to his game.
On this occasion, he made a decisive contribution after the Crues’ livewire Scottish forward Adam Brooks levelled things up early in the second period following Liam Hassin’s deflected deadlock-breaker with 32 minutes gone.
The game opened up after half-time, with Kyle Owens also producing a spectacular goalline clearance at 1-1 to deny Bryden after he had lobbed Gareth Deane while clean through, but McGuinness was glad to make hay of that and plunder the winner.
“Yeah, it’s not like me but, listen, I try my best week in, week out and I’m happy to be able to come on and get that goal and make the difference.
“In the second half, the game opened up, it had got a bit chaotic.
“First half, it felt like we were in control, we were winning the game at half-time, and then in the second half, they came out and they put it up to us and they got the equaliser.
“But we got through and we won the game, so I’m happy for us.”
Stephen McGuinness
The victory over the Seaview outfit saw Bangor move into fourth-place in the standings, but McGuinness insisted the Yellows will not be resting on their laurels.
Bangor have now won five of their last six games across all competitions – a run that started on the back of a 2-0 defeat on September 6 to Larne where they will travel to next for a rare Saturday evening kick-off.
Ahead of that trip to Inver Park – the first of two in 10 days to the east Antrim venue given Feeney’s men have also been drawn against the Invermen in the BetMcLean Cup last-16 – McGuinness declared that Bangor have the momentum and belief to overcome any opponent which they will hope to show once more against Gary Haveron’s side.
“We’ve now got a good run of wins in a row, positive momentum and we just have that bit of belief that we can win every week.
“We just have to try and keep it going, that’s the only thing that we can do.
“We’ll now put our focus into Larne next week and that will be another tough one.
“We know what they were like when they came here but, listen, on our day, if we’re good enough, we can beat anyone, I believe.
“So, we’ll go in this week, work hard and we’ll be ready to go again on Saturday.”
Stephen McGuinness
Posted: Sunday, 19th October 2025
Goals: Liam Hassin, Stephen McGuinness
Bangor made it three Sports Direct Premiership wins in a row, four in succession across all competitions and five in the last six with a 2-1 victory over Crusaders at Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon.
The game began with little by way of clear-cut opportunities, with Bangor – deploying an unchanged line-up from last week's win over Glenavon – winning a free-kick on the inside left on seven minutes that Reece Neale whipped into the penalty area, but Mark Haughey's eventual shot at goal was well over Crusaders goalkeeper Jonny Tuffey's crossbar.
Two minutes later, Ben Arthurs glanced a header wide from Harry Lynch's cross after Jay Boyd had initially done well to keep hold of possession under pressure, while Lewis Harrison shortly afterwards saw a near-post shot deflected behind for a corner – Neale's delivery safely claimed by Tuffey in the box.
Crusaders' first real foray forward saw them win a corner off Lynch down the left, with former Crues defender Kyle Owens comfortably heading away on 14 minutes. Neale subsequently incurred a yellow card after Fraser Bryden – who scored a hat-trick in the sides' last meeting – had earlier been cautioned for Crusaders, while Boyd also saw yellow before the 20-minute mark.
Clear-cut chances continued to be at a premium from both sides leading into the half-hour mark, with Crusaders getting a free-kick opportunity from the left that resulted in Haughey clearing Jarlath O'Rourke's delivery.
But on 32 minutes, Bangor did draw first blood – and great credit had to go to Boyd for his role in it. The striker did superbly to win his duel with Crues defender Odhran McCart and keep the ball in play, subsequently playing in Hassin who placed into the net with a shot that seemed on first glance to go past Tuffey in slow motion, taking a deflection en route, but it went in for the Larne man's second goal of the season.
Crusaders searched for a response and threatened on 36 minutes when Adam Brooks' powerful shot forced Gareth Deane into a strong parry away, while he then held an O'Rourke free-kick the Crues had won through Kurtis Forysthe on the right flank.
In two minutes of stoppage-time, Arthurs' shot was deflected over into the Clandeboye Road for a left-sided corner as Bangor searched for their second goal, however the half ended on a whimper with the Seasiders entering the half-time break a goal to the good.
Despite the lead, Lee Feeney opted for a couple of changes at the break, with Mick Morgan and Jack O'Mahony drafted in for Lewis Harrison and Boyd, with Brooks setting the ball rolling for the start of the second period.
On 47 minutes, Owens draw a clean save from Tuffey with a downward header, while five minutes later, Neale's long ball into Arthurs saw the Kircubbin man win a corner as he looked to play the ball across to Morgan, with the set-piece ultimately not testing Tuffey.
But on 54 minutes, with the Crues' first real chance of the half, Declan Caddell's side levelled. An interchange down the right allowed the home side to fashion a cutback across the box, with Brooks placing into the bottom left corner.
Three minutes later, some heroics from Owens ensured the scores stayed level. A ball in behind picked out the run of Bryden, hitherto well-marshalled by the Bangor defence, who lobbed an off-his-line Deane with the experienced centre-back coming to his rescue. Indeed, Bryden wheeled away thinking the goal had been given, only referee Jamie Robinson had given a free-kick for a foul by Brooks on Owens.
Up the other end, Morgan sent a rising shot just over Tuffey's crossbar before, on 64 minutes, Arthurs won an inviting free-kick off Evan Easton, who was booked. Neale took command, but his left-footed shot from 22 yards was high of the bar.
On 70 minutes, Morgan fired a through ball into Tiarnan Mulvenna that was just out of reach of the onrushing midfielder which would've set him at Tuffey, while a similar ball from Mulvenna into O'Mahony again almost sent him in.
Mulvenna stood over a corner just before the 75-minute mark that had Tuffey at full extension to tip away, with Neale then sending in a subsequent delivery that the Crusaders goalkeeper again dealt with – and he easily gathered a lofted shot from Oisin Devlin from way out.
The chances were coming at both ends and a low shot from Bryden was inches wide of Deane's post after she shaped a shot from 20 yards, while an effort by Elliot Dunlop curled from way out was just over the angle of post and bar.
After that, Stephen McGuinness came on and replaced Mark Haughey – and made a decisive contribution with his first touch to put Bangor in the lead. The ball bobbled in the area and, amid the chaos, the former Cliftonville defender – who was sent off in the sides' first meeting on 80 minutes – slammed in a first-time drive on the exact same mark to make it 2-1 to the Seasiders.
On 84 minutes, an attempted response for Crusaders skewed just over Deane's bar as they won a corner on the left, with Bangor winning a corner of their own down the left with Owens planting a downward header into Tuffey's arms.
Morgan took a tumble in the box but appeals for a penalty were waved away with three minutes left of normal time to go, while Ben Cushnie came on for Mulvenna in a late adjustment as Bangor looked to see the game out in three minutes of added-time – and that they did as the three points stayed in North Down.
Bangor manager Lee Feeney is bracing for a tricky test against Crusaders this weekend and insists he is fully aware of the threats Declan Caddell’s vibrant, young side bring to the table.
The sides meet at Clandeboye Park for the second time in this season’s Sports Direct Premiership after Scottish striker Fraser Bryden’s hat-trick helped the Crues to all three points in a 3-1 victory back in August.
On that occasion, Feeney was left frustrated as Ben Arthurs and Ben Cushnie saw penalties saved either side of half-time, while Stephen McGuinness and Matthew Ferguson were each handed straight red cards as Bangor finished the game with nine men.
But the Kilkeel supremo has been buoyed by his team’s growth since then, with Bangor entering Saturday afternoon’s encounter in sixth-place on the back of a run of four wins in their last five games across all competitions, including each of the last three.
The most recent of those victories was last Saturday’s 3-0 success away to Glenavon, and Feeney is confident his men can raise their game even more for the visit of the Crues.
The north Belfast side may sit in 11th-place, five points below their hosts on Saturday albeit with two games in hand on some of the teams around them, but Feeney isn’t fooled – he has been impressed by the work Caddell has been doing with one of the Premiership’s youngest squads and expects them to pose a serious challenge.
“We want to try and be better than we were on Saturday. I actually don’t think we played as well as we have been on Saturday, but I think in both boxes, we were very good and that’s probably the most important thing.
“But we know Crusaders is going to be another tough test – they’re doing really well, I really admire them.
“Declan’s doing a good job, he’s got young players, kids with really high ceilings and they’ve got great futures in the game and he’s got them playing really well.
“They all like the ball, they all enjoy having the ball at their feet, so it’s going to be a tough challenge for us.”
Posted: Thursday, 16th October 2025
Bangor manager Lee Feeney admitted Saturday’s 3-0 Sports Direct Premiership victory over Glenavon was a game that played on his mind more than most in the week leading up to it.
Goals from former Lurgan Blues duo Tiarnan Mulvenna and Jack O’Mahony came either side of a long-range lob from Reece Neale that ultimately secured the three points – and Feeney took away plenty of positives from the contest while also conveying a slight sense of relief.
After the game, Glenavon announced former Northern Ireland midfielder Michael O’Connor as their new manager having parted company with Paddy McLaughlin a couple of weeks ago, and Seasiders boss Feeney admitted he didn’t know what to expect at Mourneview Park given their lack of a permanent manager in that time.
Experienced first-team players Niall Quinn and Davy McDaid – who both ended the game on the pitch – had been in interim charge of the league’s basement side, and Feeney was wary of the threats they could pose.
But the Kilkeel leader hailed his players for how they managed the game and also expressed his satisfaction at a first clean sheet of the campaign.
“This game played on my mind a lot more than others because of the importance of it but also because I didn’t know too much about them, I didn’t know what we were going to get.
“Usually, we do our homework on oppositions and try to give the players information on their identity and the way they play in the classrooms during the week.
“But we didn’t know what way they were going to play, we didn’t have enough information on them because of the fact that they didn’t have a manager yet. So, we were a bit unsure about what we would be up against but, after 20 minutes, we settled in.
“It’s a massive game but it’s also about us trying to climb up the table and try and be as high as we can – and every game we go into, including the Linfields, the Glentorans, Coleraine, Larne, we’re going in to try and win the games. If you don’t win, you’re trying not to lose it.
“So, we’ve got that mentality now, it’s not just about picking up points here and there, it’s about going into every game and trying to win.
“I was really pleased with the clean sheet as well because we haven’t had one yet this season and, to be fair, we have given some silly goals away, but I think we’ve worked on that.
“We conceded one against Coleraine, which is hard to keep a clean sheet against, and we’ve not conceded against Glenavon, so that’s one (goal conceded) in two league games there.
“We’re happy about that, but there’s a lot of positives to take there with the win – clean sheet and performances and different goalscorers again.”
Lee Feeney
Mulvenna, who joined Bangor from Glenavon in January 2024, opened the scoring with a brave header from Ben Arthurs’ knock-down eight minutes before the interval.
Neale – whether he meant it or not – added a stunning second midway through the second half from well over 40 yards out after catching Lurgan Blues goalkeeper Mark Byrne off his line and lobbing into the net.
And in the second minute of stoppage-time, O’Mahony – who was substituted on seconds earlier – got on the end of fellow replacement Mick Morgan’s neat layoff and slotted low into the bottom left corner, sealing the deal with his first goal for the club.
Feeney felt it was a deserved outcome after Glenavon had enjoyed a spell of pressure early on in the contest.
“I think we deserved it over the 90 minutes – they put us under a bit of pressure in the first 15, 20 minutes, they had a few chances, we also had chances but I think it was almost like a basketball match.
“But then we settled into the game, I felt we took control of the game as in we dealt with anything they threw at us, we figured out their formation.
“The players sorted a lot on the pitch, which is very, very pleasing – they’ve been doing that a lot lately.
“We got our first goal at a good time and then it settled us down a wee bit more, and then I think after that, we sort of controlled the game.
“Reece got the second goal which gave us that cushion, and then we got the third goal which I thought was really, really good team play.
“It’s just having that belief – the first thing the players needed to do when they come into this league was have belief, and I think we’ve got it now, but they don’t get carried away.
“We’re humble, we’re a humble group, we keep our feet on the ground, we know Crusaders on Saturday’s going to be a really tough game – it’s a big, big game for us and it’s important that we continue our momentum.”
Lee Feeney
Bangor have played some eye-catching football in recent weeks, and Feeney said this is very much deliberate and essential if the Seasiders are to be competitive at this level of football.
He feels there is also more licence to play this way in the top-tier than in the Championship.
“We came into the Premiership and compared to the Championship, I think you get to play a bit more football in this league, I think you’ve a chance to play more football and I think it’s important you play more football.
“You need to keep the ball and try and hold on to it because it can take a while to get it back, so we’ve worked on that.
“I think every game, you can see we’re handling the ball better as the games go on.
“I thought the third goal was a really, really good goal, the passage of play, the combinations and then the layoff from Mick for Jack, took a good touch and stuck it in the corner.
“It was a really good goal and it’s something that we’re trying to do more often in games.”
Bangor made a third consecutive victory and fourth in the previous five across all competitions with a thoroughly professional 3-0 Sports Direct Premiership victory over Glenavon at Mourneview Park on Saturday – also keeping their first clean sheet of the season in the process.
Glenavon – searching their first point of the season and sat at the bottom of the league before the start of play – set the ball rolling, starting with a spell of forward pressure before former Lurgan Blues midfielder Tiarnan Mulvenna had the game's first shot, with his tame effort comfortably held by Mark Byrne.
Glenavon had a tester from a corner when Oran O'Kane's corner from the right struck the outside of the near post and diverted behind on 10 minutes, with Byrne then gathering a Reece Neale cross from the left ahead of Ben Arthurs.
The Lurgan Blues came close on 17 minutes with striker Francely Lomboto heading Stephen Mallon's left-sided cross into the side netting – with plenty in the home crowd thinking the ball had gone into the net – while Lewis Harrison perhaps could've done better after turning Ben Arthurs' impressive low cross over the Glenavon crossbar.
Michael O'Connor directed another Mallon cross past Gareth Deane's post on 21 minutes before the lively former Cliftonville winger Mallon directed a cross-come-shot in for Lomboto, but he couldn't properly connect as Deane gathered at his feet.
On 28 minutes, an inviting layoff from Arthurs into Liam Hassin saw the midfielder laser a shot just past Byrne's upright, ruffling the netting on its way behind, and two minutes later, the Seasiders came even closer – Jay Boyd's cross-come-shot crashing off the inside of the post and straight back into Byrne's grateful arms.
Arthurs then saw a header saved from Devlin's floated cross, but it wasn't long before Bangor fans were celebrating. On 37 minutes, Arthurs headed back into the danger zone and there was Mulvenna, who got in ahead of Byrne to head into the net from close range.
It was a lead Bangor held until the break, with Mulvenna getting the ball rolling for the second half and almost sparking an immediate second goal – Hassin pulling the trigger and seeing his shot deflected behind for a corner that Byrne gathered easily in the end.
It was a largely controlled start to the second period with little by way of goalmouth action, although Glenavon's interim player-manager Niall Quinn laced one from range on the hour that Kyle Owens did well to block. Mick Morgan replaced Boyd on 65 minutes in an attacking Bangor change.
On 68 minutes, a teasing right-sided corner from Neale just evaded a Bangor touch before the other Glenavon interim player-manager – Davy McDaid – also subbed himself on in an attacking substitution.
On 69 minutes, however, Bangor did double their lead – and in spectacular style. Neale won the ball in his own half, raced down the left and, from what may well have been 45 yards, spotted Byrne off his line and let fly, with the ball sailing over the stopper and into the back of the net. A stunning second goal.
Neale's afternoon did end on a frustrating note, though, as he went off carrying an injury to be replaced by Stephen McGuinness in a like-for-like change down the left, before Morgan was played in behind by Mulvenna and saw an enticing curling effort on the break deflected behind for a corner with 10 minutes left.
On 86 minutes, Bangor won a free-kick when Arthurs was fouled right on the edge of the Glenavon area by Jordan McMullan. Mulvenna laid McGuinness off to have a shot at goal, but his powerful left-footed drive was blocked.
In three minutes of additional time, a late double sub saw Robbie Garrett and Jack O'Mahony – two more ex-Glenavon players – replace Mulvenna and Harrison to see the win out, and that they did in style as O'Mahony immediately raced behind to Morgan's ball in the second minute of stoppage-time to slot into the bottom left.
The full-time whistle with Bangor having secured their fifth league win in 10 games and moved up to 15 points, maintaining their place in the top half of the table.
Robbie Garrett insisted Bangor can’t afford to underestimate his former club Glenavon when the Seasiders travel to take on the Sports Direct Premiership’s basement side at Mourneview Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Lurgan Blues remain on the search for their first point of the season after 10 games and are also in the process of appointing a new permanent manager following the departure of Paddy McLaughlin a couple of weeks ago.
Currently 10 points off the relegation play-off spot, they will be keen to turn a corner sooner rather than later – and Garrett warned that Bangor can ill afford to take their eye off the ball in Mid-Ulster this weekend.
The experienced former Northern Ireland midfielder spent five years at Glenavon between 2019 and 2024, playing more than 150 matches for the club, and he expects the home side – who bested Warrenpoint Town 2-0 at Milltown to progress to Round Two of the BetMcLean Cup – to be fired up for the occasion.
As such, Garrett believes sixth-placed Bangor must reply to that by replicating the standard of performances shown in recent weeks – the most eye-catching of which being their upset of Coleraine at Clandeboye Park last Saturday.
“They’re on a tricky run at the minute, but there’s no doubt that they’ll pick a win up soon and we have to be ready for that on Saturday.
“Hopefully, we can turn up and do what we’ve been doing over the last load of weeks.”
Posted: Friday, 10th October 2025
Winning is the name of the game in cup matches, and Robbie Garrett was pleased Bangor were able to do just that and book their place in the Second Round of the BetMcLean Cup on Tuesday night.
Three days after a sensational 2-1 Sports Direct Premiership victory over Coleraine, there was no let-up from Lee Feeney’s side as they defeated Lisburn Distillery 4-1 at Clandeboye Park, with all four of the Seasiders’ goals coming in a confident and clinical first half.
Ben Cushnie and Kyle Owens found the target before a brace from captain Lewis Harrison – making his first start in six weeks after recovering from a rib injury – made sure the threat of an upset was kept well at bay.
Whites frontman Benny Igiehon pulled a goal back for the Premier Intermediate side midway through the second period but for experienced midfielder Garrett, it was a job well done from a Bangor side that featured 10 changes from Saturday’s win against the Bannsiders.
“It was a good game – I thought in the first half, we did very well; second half, the tempo sort of dropped off a wee bit.
“But there were boys who played tonight who haven’t played in a while, they got minutes, so it was a good workout for them as well.
“Definitely with cup games, the most important thing is to win the game and make sure you’re in the hat for the next round.
“You always want to go through – we’re into the last-16 and that’s all you can ask for, to get through to the next round and we’ve done the job.”
Robbie Garrett
Former Northern Ireland international Garrett felt Cushnie’s deadlock-breaker set the tone for what was to come in the first half.
The former Glentoran striker slammed in the rebound on 14 minutes after Mick Morgan – the only player from Saturday’s line-up to retain his place – saw his initial effort parried by Distillery stopper Marcus Thompson.
Owens then headed home Liam Burns’ cross on 26 minutes before Harrison added a third for the Seasiders 60 seconds later, slotting low into the net after Bangor had intercepted a Distillery passing interchange.
The Bangor skipper drilled in a fourth with the last meaningful kick of the first half, and 37-year-old Garrett insisted that assured opening 45 minutes allowed them to look back on a good day at the office.
“I thought we were very dominant in the first half – it was good; it was a good, enjoyable game for us.
“I think the first goal’s always important – it settles you down, especially when boys haven’t been playing regularly.
“I think our tempo in the second half dropped off and allowed them into the game a wee bit more.
“It was frustrating from that point of view but, listen, at the end of the day, the job’s done and we’re through to the next round.”
Robbie Garrett
Irish League veteran Garrett, who is in his second season in yellow and blue having joined in the summer of 2024, also pointed to a strong collective belief in the dressing room that has been inspired by high-quality performances in recent weeks.
The former Linfield, Portadown and Stoke City man said the players are giving everything for the cause and is hopeful that vein continues when Bangor take on another of his old clubs, Glenavon, at Mourneview Park this weekend.
“The performances recently have been good, the confidence is high at the minute.
“I think the boys are fighting and giving everything at the minute and it’s showing on the pitch as well.
“There’s a lot of hunger and desire, and we’ve been playing some good stuff as well so, hopefully, that can continue into Saturday and beyond.”
Robbie Garrett
Posted: Wednesday, 8th October 2025
Bangor comfortably avoided a BetMcLean Cup First Round slip-up on Tuesday night in accounting for Lisburn Distillery 4-1 at Clandeboye Park, with four first-half goals doing the job in the end.
Distillery set the ball rolling against a Bangor side who made 10 changes from the weekend win over Coleraine – Mick Morgan the sole survivor, featuring alongside Ben Cushnie up top – and the first effort came from the Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League side, albeit it was well high and wide from Joshua Lynch as he spotted Patrick Solis Grogan off his goalline early on.
Bangor's first opportunity came on five minutes as Paul Osew fed in Morgan, whose shot was blocked in a sliding defensive challenge by the Whites, with Distillery goalkeeper Marcus Thompson alert to stop Kyle Owens' header from the resultant corner.
Cushnie turned a header over from Liam Burns' cross from the right on eight minutes as Bangor looked to tighten their grip on the contest, while Thompson made a decent claim ahead of Morgan shortly afterwards.
On 12 minutes, a neat give-and-go played between captain Lewis Harrison and Jack O'Mahony saw the latter pull the trigger and see his shot deflected wide of Thompson's goal – but Bangor didn't have much longer to wait. Two minutes later, a ball in from the right by Mitchell found Morgan who saw his shot saved by Thompson, but the rebound fell kindly for Cushnie who rammed in from close range.
Bangor looked to keep the heat on and Thompson was forced into a smart parry from a free-kick on 24 minutes, but just two minutes later, the lead was doubled. Burns fired in a cross from a short corner and Owens got on the end of it, heading into the back of the net for a second goal.
From there, the Seasiders wasted no time in making it three. Immediately from the Whites' kick-off, Bangor intercepted and Harrison plundered into the bottom left to extend it to 3-0 and further settle the nerves at Clandeboye Park.
On 33 minutes, a neat flowing piece of play allowed Cushnie to have a shot at goal – with Morgan and Burns also involved in the move – drawing a decent parry from Thompson at his right-hand post. He did likewise at the other post when Morgan raced in behind the right channel and pulled the trigger three minutes later.
Solis Grogan was called into his first meaningful save of the night on 40 minutes with Benny Igiehon pulling the trigger, getting strong hands behind it to parry away from goal, and 30 seconds before the half-time break, Harrison doubled up with his second of the night to make it a 4-0 advantage at the interval.
Cushnie set the ball rolling for the second period and Robbie Garrett dragged a shot wide three minutes into the half as Bangor continued to keep their foot on the pedal, while the first shot on target of the half came on 56 minutes when Thompson gathered Burns' header from Mitchell's right-sided cross.
Osew drew a save from Thompson's feet as he cut in from the left on the stroke of the hour, with Tom Mathieson and Scott McArthur introduced in a double substitution by Lee Feeney shortly after – they replaced Cushnie and Harrison. Igiehon then fired over on 66 minutes as Distillery searched an inroad back into the contest.
That came shortly after. On 68 minutes, Igiehon was on the end of it and blasted home past Solis Grogan from close range.
Bangor looked to restore their four-goal cushion on 70 minutes when Osew got in down the left and crossed for Mathieson to have a shot at goal, but his low effort from 10 yards was straight at Thompson who safely gathered the ball.
Lewis Francis and Ross Ferguson then replaced O'Mahony and Morgan in another double substitution on 77 minutes, while Bangor had penalty appeals waved off shortly after as they pushed down the left in search of a fifth goal. Distillery came within inches of their second on 84 minutes – Whites captain Aaron Cochrane curling from range and seeing his effort hit the outside of Solis Grogan's left post.
Ben Napier sent another shot over the Bangor goalkeeper's crossbar with 88 minutes gone, with no further inroads into the scoreline as the Seasiders booked their slot in the BetMcLean Cup last-16.
Striker Jay Boyd is keen for Bangor to mount an extended run in the BetMcLean Cup this season, starting with Tuesday night’s First Round clash against Lisburn Distillery.
The 22-year-old frontman is in buoyant mood after heading home his first goal for the club in the excellent home 2-1 Sports Direct Premiership victory over Coleraine at the weekend and wants to keep that positive momentum going against the Whites.
Boyd has previously sampled success as a member of Stephen Baxter’s Irish Cup-winning Crusaders squad in 2023 – he was also an unused sub when the Crues overcame a then-Premier Intermediate Bangor side 2-1 at Clandeboye Park in the Sixth Round in February – and says a cup run is a great way to whet the appetite and go alongside league endeavours.
The BetMcLean Cup has also risen in prominence, with the NI Football League’s decision to stage the Final on a Sunday drawing bumper five-figure crowds to Windsor Park of late, and there is also an added incentive as the winner this season will also enter the end-of-season European Play-Off Final.
However, focusing on the here and now and keen not to underestimate Distillery – who the Yellows faced plenty of times when they were third-tier counterparts – Boyd says the priority is to get the job done and ensure a spot in the last-16.
“Yeah, we’ll see how we are, see what bodies we’ve got, see who we can field and just try and tick that off against Distillery and get through to the next round.
“We’ll try to go for a cup run – a cup run’s always good and a Final’s always a good day out at the end of the year, so let’s see how we do.”
Posted: Tuesday, 7th October 2025
Jay Boyd paid tribute to 10-man Bangor’s fighting spirit and resilience to come away with a highly impressive 2-1 Sports Direct Premiership success over Coleraine at Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon.
Boyd’s first goal in yellow and blue on 17 minutes set the Seasiders on their way, with Ben Arthurs doubling the advantage two minutes before half-time with a cool breakaway finish.
Although Harry Lynch’s red card just over a minute into the second period put the hosts on the back foot and Bannsiders winger Zane Okoro halved the deficit on 56 minutes, Bangor withstood a barrage of pressure and held firm for a priceless three points.
With weather varying between beaming sunshine, torrential rain showers and fierce winds, that didn’t sway Lee Feeney’s charges one bit and striker Boyd hailed how the players dug in to take home the victory.
“Yeah, I thought we battled well the whole game.
“We knew it was going to be hard – Coleraine are a top, top team and we had to put it up to them and, obviously, we came out with the win.
“We knew the weather was going to be bad and Coleraine probably wouldn’t be able to play the football that they normally play.
“But we just dug in, kept getting balls into the box and, thankfully, we got the first goal and that set us up for the rest of the game.”
Jay Boyd
Boyd revealed his first goal since joining Bangor as a free agent last month was an instinctive strike.
The 22-year-old frontman was in the right place at the right time as Mark Haughey recycled Reece Neale’s free-kick, crossing in from the right byline and picking out Boyd, whose header was placed to perfection past Coleraine goalkeeper Aidan Harris to break the deadlock.
“Yeah, that’s just what I’ve been taught – stay in between the sticks and something will drop for you.
“Thankfully, that time it did and I was on the end of it and it ended up being a goal.
“The boys at the back were outstanding – to a man, everybody won their headers, cleared the ball, got stuck in.
“Us strikers are there to put the ball in the net and, thankfully, me and Big Ben done that.”
Jay Boyd
Teenage defender Lynch was harshly sent off by referee Christopher Morrison on 47 minutes for a second bookable offence after catching Okoro. He had earlier been cautioned having been caught in a tangle with Jamie Glackin just outside the penalty area in the first half.
That meant Bangor had to defend for their lives, and when Lincoln City loanee Okoro blasted Coleraine back into the game from close range, an onslaught of forward pressure followed.
Bannsiders talismen Declan McManus – who saw a would-be equaliser disallowed 20 minutes from time – Okoro, Joel Cooper and Matthew Shevlin led the charge but found Bangor goalkeeper Gareth Deane in inspired form and a rearguard in front of him that put their bodies on the line to retain that precious advantage.
All that proved enough for the Seasiders to keep the three points in North Down and Boyd said it was all part of Feeney’s blueprint to secure the maximum spoils, which sees Bangor lift into sixth-place in the Premiership standings on 12 points from nine matches.
“The sending-off sort of put us on the back foot for the whole second half but, like I said, the boys dug in and defended well.
“You know, we’ve worked on that all week – just how Coleraine were going to play and how we were going to stop it.
“Credit to Feeno and Dougie (John Douglas) and the coaching staff, they’ve said all week that they’ve worked out what to do to stop Coleraine in key areas, and it worked a treat today.
“I think the win puts us into the top half, and as a newly promoted team, three points is massive every week, but we just have to take it game by game.
“We knew it was going to be hard today, but it’s just on to the next one now and keep ticking them off and pick up as many points as possible.”
Jay Boyd
Discussing his move to Bangor in his first interview since his arrival, Boyd said he is loving life on the seaside.
The striker penned a two-year deal last month having departed Crusaders prior to the close of the transfer window and insisted he already feels at home, adding that he’s grateful to have the belief of the coaching staff and his team-mates to do the business on the pitch.
“All the boys have been brilliant – they’ve took me in like I’ve been here for years.
“I’m loving it, I’m really loving it. I’d had some chats with Feeno, I came down, had a look and I thought this was the club for me.
“The coaches believe in me, the players believe in me and that’s all you really want as a player – people that back you, people that believe in you and push you all the way.”
Bangor upset the odds to secure a famous 2-1 Sports Direct Premiership victory over Coleraine at Clandeboye Park, withstanding an abundance of pressure with 10 men throughout the whole second half to come out on top over their full-time adversaries.
Coleraine striker Declan McManus got the ball rolling, but Bangor threatened and came close to drawing first blood within the first minute. Jay Boyd played in Mick Morgan who looked to break clean through on goal, but Levi Ives made a good tackle that halted the Bangor striker in his tracks.
The Seasiders then had a penalty appeal waved off as Ben Arthurs looked to be being held – although they came more from the stands than on the pitch – before, on six minutes, Coleraine got their first shot of the game away through Joel Cooper that was deflected just wide of Gareth Deane's post.
But on 17 minutes, Bangor took the lead. A delivery from the left may not have found Arthurs in the box, but it was recycled towards the right post by Mark Haughey and he crossed back into the box where Boyd towered highest, heading beyond Coleraine stopper Aidan Harris and into the top left corner.
Boyd then laced a low shot on 20 minutes that was held routinely by Harris before, three minutes later, Oisin Devlin forced a save from the teenage Newcastle United loanee after Tiarnan Mulvenna whipped in an enticing delivery. Leading into the half-hour mark, Bangor continued to keep the Bannsiders at bay.
But Coleraine created a golden chance on 33 minutes that they didn't take – and Mulvenna's outstanding tackle at the last prevented that opportunity manifesting into a shot at goal. And a minute later, Arthurs outmuscled Cameron Stewart as he was sent in behind before shaping just wide of Harris' goal with Coleraine having been carved open.
On 37 minutes, there was a moment of anxiety when Will Patching's goal-bound free-kick was punched by Deane only back into the danger zone, but the Bangor defence managed to clear more convincingly. Shortly after, Dean Jarvis whacked a header off the post from another Patching delivery – albeit an offside flag was raised.
But on 43 minutes, Bangor doubled the lead. A ball was caught by the wind and allowed Arthurs to break in behind a high Coleraine line and took two touches to set his shot – and he finished neatly through Harris' legs into the back the net before wheeling away to take in the adulation of the Bangor fans. The Seasiders kept their 2-0 lead to half-time.
Mulvenna set the ball rolling for Bangor in the second period, but the Seasiders were dealt an early setback on 47 minutes as they were reduced to 10 men. With Harry Lynch having already incurred a caution, a trip on Zane Okoro was deemed worthy enough for referee Chris Morrison to show the teenage defender a second yellow and send him off.
Moments later, Deane pulled off a wonder save to deny Kodi Lyons-Foster from just yards out before the ball was hurriedly cleared by the Bangor defence. On 51 minutes, another appeal was waved off with Boyd having taken a tumble going into the penalty area.
But on 56 minutes, Coleraine did pull one back. Jamie Glackin – amid calls for offside from the stands – got down the left and crossed for McManus in the box, who drew a superb save from Deane, but he couldn't stop teenage Lincoln City loanee Okoro from slotting in the rebound from close range.
With Coleraine now having a spring in their step, Ives laced one well over from some way out, but a Bangor corner just before the hour mark also presented a chance to add a third – but it was ultimately cleared at the near post.
Jarvis drilled a low cross from the left for Coleraine that evaded a touch in the box before Stephen McGuinness replaced Boyd in a more defensively orientated change for Bangor on 66 minutes. McManus threatened again when Deane saved low at his near post after he got to a cross in the six-yard box.
Coleraine had a goal disallowed on 69 minutes with McManus putting into the net, but Cooper made a movement towards the ball and it was ruled offside by Morrison in a reprieve for the Seasiders.
Matthew Shevlin was brought off the bench to form a strike pair with McManus and he drew a save from Deane with a tame header from Cooper's right-wing cross. The former Linfield winger's distance drive forced the Bangor stopper into a low stop again 12 minutes from time, while Coleraine rattled the upright shortly after as they continued to pile on the pressure.
Bangor had a rare opportunity on 82 minutes as Lewis Harrison's low, drilled effort from 20 yards had to be dealt with by Harris, who got down well, while a dipping Cooper effort towards the bottom left was deflected agonisingly wide from a Coleraine perspective. A foul by Lyons-Foster on Deane – for which the stand-in Coleraine captain was booked – from a corker offered some respite for Bangor.
Okoro blasted wide from the inside-right channel and struck the side netting on 87 minutes, with several Coleraine fans thinking it had gone in.
In seven minutes of stoppage-time, the visitors piled every outfielder deep into the Bangor half in search of a leveller as the Seasiders looked to hold their resistance – and four minutes in, Shevlin looked to be in before Stephen McGuinness headed from almost under his own crossbar, winning a free-kick in the process.
There was palpable relief with virtually the game's last meaningful action as Patching's free-kick hit the wall, and the full-time whistle blew with the three points staying on the seaside.
Ben Arthurs insists Bangor are hoping to bring out their best selves on home soil and return to winning ways against Coleraine on Saturday afternoon.
The Seasiders are at Clandeboye Park again this weekend following last Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Linfield, facing into the second game of a home double-header against full-time opposition.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ Bannsiders have started the season brightly, collecting 19 points out of a possible 24 to date, but Arthurs feels that home advantage will be key if Bangor are to get anything from Saturday’s game.
The Kircubbin striker says the players pride themselves on maintaining strong home form and that is what Lee Feeney’s side will look to show against the north west juggernauts.
“It’s another tough one against Coleraine but, look, we’re at Clandeboye Park, we’re always going to give our all here.
“We’ll give it our all every week, but we genuinely pride ourselves on our home performances.
“So, let’s hope we can do a bit better than against Linfield and get something out of the game.”
Posted: Friday, 3rd October 2025
Oisin Devlin is taking the positives on board from Bangor’s strong second-half display against Linfield on Friday night but felt the two goals the Blues scored in the first half made it just too high a mountain to climb for the Seasiders.
The teenage midfielder was reflecting on the 3-0 Sports Direct Premiership reverse at Clandeboye Park when Matthew Fitzpatrick and Kieran Offord’s strikes before the half-hour ensured David Healy’s side took a cushion into the half-time break.
Bangor emerged strongly for the second period and often put Linfield goalkeeper Chris Johns under pressure, but they couldn’t find a crucial goal to reduce the arrears before substitute Chris McKee sealed the outcome before stoppage-time.
Devlin admits the Yellows were disappointed not to mark the scoresheet and set up a tense finale.
“I thought in the second half, we were a lot better – we had a slow start in the first half.
“The two goals in the first half were probably too much to come back from in the end, but I thought in the second half, we made it a wee bit harder for them but, at the end of the day, we’re disappointed with the defeat.
“It was tough to get back – myself, I thought for the first goal, I could’ve done better, so the two goals in the first half killed us, really.
“We’ll definitely take the positives from the second half, we probably had a few good chances, probably should’ve got a goal or two.
“And you never know – if you get that goal, anything could happen, but it just wasn’t to be.”
Oisin Devlin
Devlin added that there are learnings for Bangor to take on board from playing in these sorts of games – win, lose or draw.
The 18-year-old former Institute man and Northern Ireland Schoolboys captain pointed to that second-half uplift as an example of the Seasiders taking lessons on board at the break.
In front of an official attendance of 2,441 packed into Clandeboye Park, Lee Feeney’s charges showed signs once again of their positive adaptation to the top level of football in Northern Ireland and Devlin is keen to see that continue.
“I thought we should’ve got one in the second half but, at the end of the day, it just wasn’t going in the net for us.
“Maybe on a different night, maybe it’s a different outcome and it goes for us, but it just wasn’t to be for us tonight.
“But they’re the games you learn from, you know – I thought we learnt from the first half because we came out and we were a lot better in the second half and had more chances.
“So, it’s important now that we move on and we take that into next week.
“
You’re playing every week and you’re learning, no matter if you’re winning or losing – just constantly learning, I think that’s the important thing so, hopefully, we can just kick on.”
Oisin Devlin
Having joined Bangor on a season-long loan from Larne over the summer, Devlin says he is loving life on the seaside.
The talented Derryman – who impressed Bangor fans while plying his trade for Stute as a 16-year-old in the Playr-Fit Championship a couple of years ago – is focused on growing week in, week out and says he appreciates that the Seasiders faithful enjoy his tenacious and tough-tackling style.
“I’m loving it – ever since I’ve come in, just every week, it’s about getting better and better.
“Every week, I’m getting to know the players more on and off the pitch, the staff as well, and I’m just really loving it at the moment.
“I’ve heard a few shouts about that, that the fans like that I’m a player that likes to put the boot in, likes a tackle, but it’s been really good since I’ve been here.
“But I like to think I’ve a bit of composure on the ball as well and that’s all I can really do, keep playing my game and getting better and, hopefully, results for the team follow up.”
Ben Arthurs admits the better team won on Friday night but says it reflects where Bangor are at and the standards Lee Feeney’s side have set that they are disappointed to lose to a team of Linfield’s calibre.
The Blues won the sides’ Sports Direct Premiership encounter 3-0 at a packed-to-the-rafters Clandeboye Park courtesy of goals in the first half by Matthew Fitzpatrick, Kieran Offord and late on from substitute Chris McKee.
Although the Seasiders had a mountain to climb at the break, they turned in a highly spirited second-half performance in which they enjoyed the bulk of the goalscoring chances prior to that late clincher from McKee that ultimately settled matters.
Kircubbin striker Arthurs spoke afterwards of a disappointment at the result in the changing room but says it reflects the standards the players have set for themselves this season.
“I think it sums it up when you’re disappointed and the champions are coming to town and we’re disappointed we’ve been beat.
“I think that’s the standards that we’re trying to set – everyone knows we’re going out there to try and win every game, no matter who it is.
“The fans know that and that’s probably why there is a wee bit of disappointment, but I think we have to reflect and, on the night, the better team definitely won.
“First half, they were definitely the much better team; second half, I think we battled well, got back into it.
“We probably edged the second half for about 30, 35 minutes, but the ball just wouldn’t go in the net for us – we had some clear-cut chances probably, but we just didn’t get that rub of the green.”
Ben Arthurs
Linfield opened the scoring on 15 minutes when Fitzpatrick latched onto Linfield captain Jamie Mulgrew’s neat ball behind the Bangor defence, with the striker having time and space to place past Gareth Deane.
The clinical Blues doubled their lead just before the half-hour when Scottish frontman Offord converted from close range after Fitzpatrick had knocked down Kirk Millar’s left-sided corner.
And the reigning Premiership champions settled matters in the last minute of normal time as Fitzpatrick played in McKee, who stylishly picked out the top left corner to seal the outcome.
Arthurs felt it was a harsh lesson for Bangor as small mistakes were capitalised on in full by the visitors, adding on reflection that he could’ve done better on Linfield’s second goal, but says it is another learning as the Seasiders’ positive return to the Premiership continues on.
“We’ve learned about fine margins, and if you see their goals, you get punished big time in this league, any mistakes.
“I think for the second goal, I misjudged the corner coming in my zone and it’s went to the back post and Fitzpatrick’s knocked it down (for Offord to score).
“Any slight mistake in this league, you get punished. We just need to make sure that we’re doing the same – any chance we get that we’re punishing teams.
“But, look, every week, we’re trying to learn from it – we’ve just got to get back to training and focus on Coleraine next week.”
Ben Arthurs
On Bangor’s improved second-half display, the club’s modern record goalscorer Arthurs couldn’t pin exactly what it was down to – but the 27-year-old felt pride had to be taken from it to prepare them for the tests to come.
“I couldn’t actually say, I don’t really know – I couldn’t put my finger on it, just the second half, we played better.
“First half, I don’t know whether we weren’t dealing with what they had coming at us and we regrouped at half-time and we felt a bit more comfortable going out because we knew what we were facing.
“That’s just football at times – sometimes you play better in one half than the other, but it’s just about trying to put together two good halves and put the ball in the net and keep it out of ours.
“But I think we could take a wee bit of pride from the second half, the fact that we did mix it up quite well and just move on, that’s all we can do.”
Ben Arthurs
Arthurs also pointed to the aforementioned disappointment of defeat as an example of the mentality built up throughout Bangor’s rise back up the ranks and their mindset this term.
As Bangor’s current longest-serving player having joined in the summer of 2018 and with a trio of league titles under his belt, Arthurs is in a good position to judge and says a previous expectation of winning in past seasons has put the Yellows in good stead for this new level.
“A lot of the years at this club, boys have been used to winning games, we’ve been pushing for league titles, so we have that sort of mentality in us.
“But, obviously, we’re not naïve – we’re up against a much better opposition every week.
“So, it’s just having an inner belief, an inner togetherness that we can go out and we can try and win games against anyone.
“We wouldn’t come up into this league and just try and hold on for dear life, so that’s our attitude every game.
“Obviously, we didn’t get the win tonight but so be it, on to the next one, trying to learn and trying to do better.”
Ben Arthurs
Posted: Saturday, 27th September 2025
A front-footed and vibrant second-half performance ensured Bangor were more than a match against Linfield at Clandeboye Park, but two first-half goals and one late in the day saw the Blues come away with a 3-0 victory and all three points in the Sports Direct Premiership on Friday night.
Jamie Mulgrew got the ball rolling for the Blues but there was no fast start, with no clear-cut chances in the opening 10 minutes of the contest and neither goalkeeper tested until Gareth Deane easily claimed a deep cross from Linfield's Euan East.
But on 15 minutes, the Blues took the lead with the game's first shot of note. A ball by captain Jamie Mulgrew found Matthew Fitzpatrick in behind, and the striker had time and space to pick his spot which he did past Deane for the deadlock-breaker.
Bangor responded positively and caused a threat through Harry Lynch's cross from the right which had to be put behind by the Linfield defence, while Stephen McGuinness' tantalising cross-come-shot flew over former Bangor goalkeeper Chris Johns' crossbar.
On 23 minutes, Kyle McClean's fizzing shot was deflected wide by a Bangor body before Ben Hall's header from the subsequent corner was easily gathered by Deane. The Bangor stopper then saved from Kieran Offord after he had cut in from the right flank.
Deane tipped Offord's low shot behind for another Linfield corner that the goalkeeper punched ahead of Fitzpatrick – but after Haughey headed over, the Blues got their second of the night just before the half-hour. The corner was swooped in from the left and Fitzpatrick headed into the six-yard area which Offord directed in.
On 37 minutes, Bangor threatened when a Caomhan McGuinness cross from the inside right channel was just out of reach of Ben Arthurs in the middle — had he got a connection, he'd have likely been in for a certain goal. McGuinness, though, picked up an injury and had to be replaced by Jack O'Mahony shortly afterwards.
Bangor showed promise at points going forward but struggled to apply a ruthless final touch going into half-time, which the Seasiders went into two goals behind.
Bangor made a double change at the break as Lewis Francis replaced Stephen McGuinness in defence and Jay Boyd was drafted on up top – and the Seasiders started the second half with an early corner which Francis nodded over the top.
On 48 minutes, Mark Haughey was rather unfortunate when his shot on the swivel was arrowed across the face of goal rather than on target, while Johns then had to claim under pressure from Neale's cross.
Boyd also made an impact and his cross from the inside left channel was skewed behind with Arthurs in the middle on 50 minutes, while McClean curled a free-kick over the top in Linfield's first shot of the half over the top.
On 58 minutes, Bangor kept up their good start to the half and Arthurs fired wide from about 20 yards as the Seasiders searched for a goal that would bring them back into the game, and Arthurs drew a save from Johns from Mulvenna's ball.
Just after the hour, Baird skewed a shot wide for the Blues before Bangor got the ball back up into the other end for another sustained spell and came close on 65 minutes when Haughey's header was deflected agonisingly wide, while Neale's resultant corner swung in at Johns and he had to beat the ball away.
Linfield got up on the right on 69 minutes when Fitzpatrick glanced a header wide, while Arthurs had to head behind after a scramble in the box — with Lewis Harrison returning from injury as a subsitute and then almost making an instant impact. He replaced Oisin Devlin and so nearly got on the end of Arthurs' flick-on, but a last-ditch clearance by Ben Hall stopped him from slamming in.
On 78 minutes, Johns had to claw away from practically underneath his own goalline as Arthurs put the pressure on, while Francis saw a close-range effort deflected wide moments later — Bangor were largely dominant in the second half and pushing hard.
Harry Lynch became the latest to test Johns and drew a low save from the one-time Seasiders stopper, while Mick Morgan was drafted on for Tiarnan Mulvenna to add firepower up top in a roll of the dice by Lee Feeney for the last five minutes of the contest.
But the Blues made the result safe on the cusp of stoppage-time – with Chris McKee racing behind and adding the third that ultimately sealed the spoils for the visitors on the night.
Bangor assistant manager John Douglas has rallied the players to embrace the challenge of tackling a formidable opponent in Linfield in a Sports Direct Premiership blockbuster under the floodlights on Friday night.
Douglas has led from the touchline in recent weeks while Lee Feeney has served a three-game ban, but the Kilkeel supremo will return to the dugout at Clandeboye Park against his former club as a player.
The Seasiders produced arguably their best performance of the campaign last time out in overcoming Portadown 4-1 on the road last Friday night, with Ben Cushnie, Reece Neale, Liam Hassin and Mark Haughey hitting the target to round off an emphatic success that bodes well for locking horns with the Blues, who are the reigning Premiership champions.
With Bangor hungry to build on that exhilarating display at Shamrock Park last weekend, Douglas wants the players to express themselves again and be even better this time around knowing a win will also provisionally lift the Yellows into the top half and just a point behind David Healy’s side in the standings.
“It’s the first time in 16 years that Bangor and Linfield have played each other at Clandeboye Park in a competitive league match.
“So, it’s an exciting fixture for the city and there’s no doubt the supporters will come out in their numbers to support us.
“We’ll get in this week and we’ll try to improve again and, obviously, we know exactly what we’re going to be up against.
“They’re the Premiership champions and the biggest club in the country in my opinion, but this is why we’re in the game – these are the games you look forward to and you want to embrace and go and express yourself in.
“So, there’s no doubt in my mind knowing the players that first and foremost they’ll be looking forward to the challenge but, secondly, we’ll try and get something out of the game.”
Reece Neale is undaunted ahead of Bangor’s hosting of reigning Premiership champions Linfield on Friday night and says the Seasiders will go out hell-bent on winning the game.
Ahead of the first competitive meeting of the sides in over 16 years, Neale declared that he and his team-mates are full of belief ahead of this weekend’s Clandeboye Park showdown in the Sports Direct Premiership.
That’s been boosted in no small part by last Friday’s 4-1 victory at Portadown when Neale’s sweet free-kick seven minutes from half-time restored Bangor’s lead after Eamon Fyfe had cancelled out Ben Cushnie’s early opener.
Further second-half strikes from Liam Hassin and long-time former Linfield centre-back Mark Haughey made the three points safe, and Ballynahinch defender Neale – who has donned the captain’s armband in recent weeks while Lewis Harrison has been absent through injury – feels the mission is now to back that up with another victory against David Healy’s Blues.
“We’re looking forward to it – on our home pitch, anything can happen; I back us no matter what.
“I know there are people from outside who won’t back us in these types of situations, but for me, you don’t play football to lose games or go and be happy with a point or this or that or the other.
“With it being on our pitch, I just think you go out there with the mindset that you need to win, you have to win – every game, you have to be going into it and winning.
“If you don’t have that mindset, I don’t see why you’d play sport, to be honest, if you don’t want to win – it’s pointless.”
Reece Neale
Left-sided defender Neale is a distinguished former Linfield Swifts captain who skippered the young Blues to the Steel and Sons Cup on Christmas Eve 2016.
The 27-year-old knows the expectation of success that comes with representing the Blues and is taking that attitude into Friday’s encounter against them, with the sides last locking horns in February 2009.
He admits it will be a tough task for Bangor and feels nothing less than maximum effort from every player will be required to come away with total spoils against the reigning Premiership champions.
“It’s going to be a tough task and play how we’ve been playing, like on Friday there – everyone has to be reading off the same page.
“We have to give 110 per cent and hope Linfield maybe have a few players not necessarily at that level and they have a couple of off days.
“It’s a big ask for us, but I believe in the squad, I believe in what we can do, and I’m sure Linfield will know coming down to Bangor that it’s not going to be an easy fixture.
“They’ll be fancied as big favourites, but they’ll know themselves that they’re not going to go in and think, ‘We’re just going to roll them over’.
“So, hopefully, we go in, give a good account of ourselves and you never know.”
Reece Neale
Posted: Thursday, 25th September 2025
Reece Neale may not be the most prolific goalscorer in the Bangor ranks but insisted there was never any doubt in his mind he was going to hit the mark against Portadown on Friday night.
The stand-in captain – deputising in Lewis Harrison’s injury-enforced absence – was given a chance to find the target from a free-kick and duly did so, curling past the Ports wall and the sprawling Aaron McCarey to put the Seasiders back in front 38 minutes into the Shamrock Park contest.
Coming shortly after Eamon Fyfe had cancelled out Ben Cushnie’s opener for the visitors just before the quarter-hour mark, it proved a springboard for Bangor and second-half finishes from Liam Hassin and Mark Haughey – the latter assisted by Neale, also from a free-kick – secured a dominant 4-1 win in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Left-back Neale had hit the net from a free-kick against Tobermore United on his debut in the Premier Intermediate League in August 2021 but hadn’t scored from one since – but he was glad to set the record straight.
“I’ve been sort of on them and off them, but there’s been a good few over the last couple of years where I’ve come very close, where I’ve hit the post a couple of times or hit the bar.
“Then there was one against Cliftonville at the start of the season as well where the goalkeeper made a decent save, too.
“But I’ve been getting closer and I felt one coming – and to be fair, as soon as I set it down, I looked at Tiarnan (Mulvenna) and I said I’m taking this! I saw the way the wall was lined up and I thought it was mine all day and that I was going to score.
“It’s obviously worked out well, it’s well-documented I don’t score too many and I made sure I enjoyed it.”
Reece Neale
It was an important goal that paved the way for Bangor to record their first away win of the season and first in the top-flight in over 16 years.
It also marked the first time the Yellows had hit the net four times or more on the road at the top table in more than 30 years, and Neale felt it reflected the performance on show.
“The free-kick suited a left-footer, and going by the keeper’s positioning and the way he set up the wall, as soon as I saw it, I felt I wasn’t not taking that opportunity to go for it and, thankfully, it’s paid off for me and it’s obviously kicked us on.
“That made it 2-1, and especially with us conceding a few minutes beforehand, the game could’ve went a completely different way – but we’ve kicked on from there.
“I thought we were outstanding in all aspects – we conceded a goal from a corner and it was a bit of a mistake but, other than that, I thought we were very comfortable in both boxes.
“In both halves, I thought we were very good. We kept the ball very decently and we played a lot of football.
“I thought we were very comfortable on the ball and we ended up getting our rewards out of it and we went on and won the game.
“There were times when I thought we deserved a couple more goals from some of the bits of play we had but we’ll not complain too much when we score four goals away from home.”
Reece Neale
The 27-year-old, who played under Ports chief and former Bangor shot-stopper Niall Currie at Carrick Rangers, went on to praise the confidence within the dressing room as they came away with their third league win of 2025/26.
He declared that the players believe they can face any opponent and come away victorious.
“For me, I just think it’s the belief in our team – the belief in our changing room is ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous.
“No matter who we’re playing – even when we went to the Oval, we’d Larne at our home ground – every game, bar maybe the Ballymena one, we’ve been in every single game and never sat and thought to ourselves, ‘Right, let’s just hold this tight and we’ll sneak a draw’.
“Especially as a newly promoted team, we feel like we can go into every single game and win no matter where it is – whether it’s at home or away.
“We know it’s not going to happen every time, but we’re very confident in ourselves and it’s helped with results like going a goal down or conceding, we just keep going and pushing on.
“We’re picking up points as we go and, hopefully, it continues that way.”
Reece Neale
One thing Neale is slightly more reticent to think about is his status as one of the ‘older boys’ in the Seasiders squad, but he takes pride in being part of a hungry and ambitious group that only wants to push forward.
Lee Feeney’s side will look to keep up the positive momentum when Linfield come to Clandeboye Park next up, and Neale – a former Linfield Swifts captain – is relishing the challenge of taking on the reigning Irish League champions and the clashes to follow.
“I was thinking about our team that played, I think we’d Hawks (Mark Haughey), Deanesy (Gareth Deane), Ribsy (Robbie Garrett) came off the bench and other than that, everyone else is mid-20s or younger. We’ve got a good young team and we know we’ve got a future.
“At 27, that’s mad to start thinking of myself as one of the older boys! But I like the squad a lot and you know what you’re getting with everyone, the younger boys, they’re all full of energy and wanting to prove themselves.
“All the new faces, they’re buying into what Feeno and Dougie are trying to do and push the club forward – everyone’s buying into it and I just feel like we’re going to go from strength to strength and, hopefully, we’ll kick on.”
Reece Neale
Posted: Sunday, 21st September 2025
A delighted John Douglas reflected on a confident and courageous performance on Friday night as the Seasiders overcame Portadown 4-1 at Shamrock Park.
Goals from Ben Cushnie, Reece Neale, Liam Hassin and Mark Haughey settled matters in the sides’ Sports Direct Premiership encounter, with Douglas praising the front-footed approach his side had taken in the contest.
The assistant manager, who has been standing in for Lee Feeney on matchdays while the Bangor boss serves a three-match touchline ban, says he has been challenging his men to express themselves in possession – and he got that in abundance at the Mid-Ulster venue.
“I thought we were super, and what I really enjoyed was the courage we had on the ball – we played some really, really good football.
“I thought from the outset, we looked confident; we had a game-plan, we spoke about having to be really courageous on the ball and the players going and expressing themselves.
“I thought we did that; I thought, to a man, everybody emptied the tank.
“We can always talk about putting the effort in and we get that week in, week out from this bunch of players, but now it’s about with the ball, can we go and express ourselves?
“We have a lot of talent in our changing room and it’s just unlocking that – and we’ve also a lot of young players who are developing and can only get better with experience.
“We’ll keep our feet on the ground – we understand it’s only one game, three points, but any team we’ve come up against this season, we’ve been really, really competitive.
“We know at this level, if you give the ball away cheaply, it can be a while before you get the ball back, so it’s something we’ve worked on in training and spoke about in terms of keeping the ball a lot better.
“If you look at the Championship compared to the Premiership, one of the major aspects is being able to keep the ball a lot better – if you give the ball away cheaply in the Premiership, it can be a daunting task getting the ball back at times.
“But I think each week, we’re getting better – we’re playing with more composure on the ball, we seem to have a lot more options when we’re on the ball.
“We want the players to believe in themselves to get on the ball because the talent is there – it’s just unlocking that and empowering the courage that they believe that they’re good enough to play at this level.
“I thought there were scenarios where we were super at keeping the ball and moving the ball and creating chances, and in transition, the work ethic was super – getting back in and ensuring we were compact in areas where Portadown struggled to really break us down.”
John Douglas
Bangor are up to nine points after their third win of the 2025/26 campaign and first on the road – and, indeed, their first top-flight away win of any description in more than 16 years.
Douglas handed a debut to new striker Jay Boyd, signed as a free agent after his departure from Crusaders, and felt the 22-year-old gelled nicely with Cushnie and Ben Arthurs in the attacking line.
He also reserved plaudits for teenage midfielder Oisin Devlin, with the Larne loanee turning in a commanding display alongside Hassin – who curled past Ports stopper Aaron McCarey to net his first goal for the club early in the second half – and Tiarnan Mulvenna in that area.
“I thought Jay was fantastic from the outset. He’s another young lad and, in my opinion, he needs somebody to believe in him.
“We saw with his back to goal, he was holding the ball up, he was a handful for Portadown and he gave them a torrid time – in the first half especially, I thought he was superb, he was allowing us to get up the pitch.
“His work ethic was through the roof and he probably just needs a bit of confidence and a run of games, and he’s another player that will only get better.
“Oisin Devlin – he’s 18 years old but he plays with the head of a 35-year-old, he’s a really intelligent footballer.
“What he gives, he breaks a lot of play up and reads the game really, really well, and he gives the rest of the players a platform to go and express themselves.
“He’s a great kid as well and he’s a lot of experience under his belt for an 18-year-old kid and, in my opinion, he’ll grow and grow and I’m really enjoying working with him.
“I think we’ve grown – we’ve got better with each game, we’re definitely getting better with the experience (of playing in the Premiership), what’s expected and what’s needed.
“We always say after every game, we take the positives but we also need to look at the negatives and the things we need to improve on, on a weekly basis.
“The players are taking things on board and, in my opinion, each game, we’re getting better. We just have to keep believing in ourselves and we’ll see where we end up.”
John Douglas
With Feeney returning to the dugout for the visit of Linfield to Clandeboye Park next Friday night, Douglas took time to reflect on how he has found being the manager in recent weeks.
The Belfast man oversaw a gutsy display in defeat to Larne at Clandeboye Park, while Bangor were also 1-0 up at Carrick Rangers before the match was abandoned due to a serious head injury sustained by home winger Paul Heatley.
Douglas says he has enjoyed the experience and also reinforced the theme of togetherness around the club.
“I’ve really enjoyed leading the team – and the set-up that Lee endorses at the club, we’re all part of it on a weekly basis.
“Whether I’m the manager and Lee’s in the stand or Lee’s on the bench, we all feel part of it and we all feel we can express our opinions, and Lee welcomes that.
“He involves everybody, so it’s no real change if you like – there’s no real difference because, ultimately, we’re in it together, the whole coaching staff, the players, the fans, the Board.
“We all have our part to play, and Lee as the manager welcomes that – and I think the more we grow together, the stronger we’ll become as a club.”
Bangor produced a magnificent display at Shamrock Park to defeat Portadown 4-1 in the sides' Sports Direct Premiership encounter on Friday night.
Bangor and Portadown both exchanged respective half-chances when Liam Hassin on three minuted arrowed wide on three minutes before Rhys Annett drew a routine low claim from Gareth Deane three minutes later.
But on 13 minutes, the Seasiders drew first blood. Reece Neale swung in from the right and the ball found Jay Boyd – making his Bangor debut – who cut inside and fired a shot that deflected off the post, but the rebound fell kindly for Ben Cushnie to slot past Aaron McCarey and into the net.
Portadown looked for a way back into the game and, on 22 minutes, caused Deane a few problems when Eamon Fyfe flighted in the first corner of the game for the hosts. It was directed towards the far post from Bangor's right side but his inswinging ball inched past the post.
On 27 minutes, Mulvenna sent a free-kick from the right that was connected onto by Mark Haughey, but his looping header was well-held by McCarey.
However, six minutes later, the Ports were level, with a corner flighted in from the left by Steven McCullough that wasn't fully claimed by Deane – and Fyfe was on hand to take advantage to blast in the leveller from close range.
On 38 minutes, Bangor had an inviting chance to retake the lead when Cushnie was fouled on the edge of the area – and how it was taken. Reece Neale stood over it and curled around the wall past McCarey at his near post and into the net to put the visitors back ahead.
Two minutes later, Bangor had a scare after Lee Chapman's cross from the left looked to have found Fyfe free in the box, but he couldn't get any connection and the ball sailed past the post, while in stoppage-time, Ben Wylie's threaded ball was out of Annett's reach as Deane safely gathered – the final meaningful action of the first period as Bangor led 2-1.
Less than a minute into the second half and the Seasiders were almost in at goal, with Arthurs' attempt to play into strike partner Boyd was just underhit – with Ryan Mayse and Rayhaan Tulloch introduced in a double substitution by Ports boss Niall Currie at half-time.
But on 49 minutes, the Seasiders extended their lead in stunning style. Boyd got on the ball and Liam Hassin swivelled to place past the sprawling McCarey into the bottom left corner – the Larne man's first goal for the club.
From there, Bangor still looked to put the pressure on up the other way as the Ports also searched for inroads back into the contest, with Arthurs' near-post cross drawing a save from McCarey following an initial mishit effort.
A Bangor double sub saw Mick Morgan and Robbie Garrett replace goalscorer Cushnie and the industrious Boyd, with an extra body coming into midfield to add to the like-for-like change up top, with the Seasiders holding their shape as the Ports found clear-cut opportunities limited going into the last 20 minutes.
An altercation on 76 minutes saw the Ports' Ben Wylie booked after shoving Oisin Devlin – who was also carded – to the ground in a moment of frustration, while Ryan Mayse was subsequently cautioned for his protests.
And from the resulting on-pitch sequence, Bangor added their fourth. The ball was flighted in and Haughey got on the end of it, looping his header over McCarey into the back of the net. The players went behind the goal to celebrate with the travelling fans as the Seasiders took a 4-1 lead into the closing exchanges.
Portadown were almost in on 82 minutes as Fyfe raced in, but he looked to square instead of shoot and couldn't pick out Mayse, with Lewis Francis clearing the danger emphatically from the resulting corner by Mayse. Devlin was replaced by Jack O'Mahony shortly after and he laid off an effort for Mulvenna on 86 minutes, but he blasted wide of McCarey's near post.
Mulvenna then squared for Paul Osew in the first of two additional minutes at the end – and that proved to be that as the Seasiders came away with a well-deserved three points at Shamrock Park.
Tiarnan Mulvenna insists Bangor are taking the positives from their performance against Carrick Rangers last weekend and using them as fuel for Friday night’s trip to Portadown.
Saturday’s encounter at Taylors Avenue was abandoned early in the second half due to a serious head injury sustained by Carrick winger Paul Heatley following a collision with the perimeter wall.
Bangor were 1-0 up at the time courtesy of a goal that has gone down to the dubious goals panel, with Mulvenna’s inswinging free-kick finding its way into the top corner but with the help of what was adjudged to be a glancing header by Ben Arthurs – although the 27-year-old midfielder is claiming the final touch, even if it’s since been scrubbed from the records.
Regardless, Mulvenna was encouraged by how the Seasiders acquitted themselves in their 54 minutes of game-time before the enforced stoppage and believes it will serve them well when they head to Shamrock Park to take on Niall Currie’s Ports.
Friday night’s game between the Sports Direct Premiership’s last two promoted teams is a finely poised encounter between two teams level on six points – with Bangor in eighth ahead of their hosts in 10th on goal difference – and with the sides meeting five times during the 2023/24 season when they were equals in the Playr-Fit Championship, Lee Feeney’s men know to expect a tough challenge.
“It was definitely my goal – I’m going to claim it anyway, and Big Ben even said there in the changing room that it was my goal, so I’ll take it!
“To be fair, I thought the last five minutes of the first half, we were under a bit of pressure.
“But that’s really the only thing – I thought coming out, that seven minutes or whatever it was we played there in the second half, I thought we were comfortable.
“We could’ve had another one when I gave it to Cush (Ben Cushnie), but I thought we would’ve gone on and done enough to win the game.
“We’re focused on Portadown now on Friday night and all the boys will be looking forward to it, and after that, how we were playing, we’ll be looking forward to going again.”
Ben Arthurs headed Bangor into a first half lead, but a serious injury to Paul Heatley early in the second half meant the match had to be abandoned.
We wish Paul a speedy recovery.
Posted: Saturday, 13th September 2025
Bangor defender Harry Lynch is expecting a totally different test against Carrick Rangers this weekend than in the sides’ meeting last week.
10 days on from the Seasiders’ 3-0 defeat to the Gers at Taylors Avenue in the First Round of the County Antrim Shield, Lee Feeney’s charges return to the east Antrim venue on Saturday to face Stephen Baxter’s high flyers in the Sports Direct Premiership.
On that occasion last Tuesday – a game in which Lynch donned the captain’s armband in just his sixth game for the Yellows since his summer transfer from Glenavon – both sides fielded heavily rotated teams, and the centre-back isn’t drawing many comparisons from then as Bangor target a better outcome this weekend.
However, the Amber Army have made a strong start to the 2025/26 campaign, collecting 10 points out of 15, and teenage centre-back Lynch knows the hosts will be high on momentum ahead of Saturday’s encounter.
“It’ll be a completely different game, two different teams and I wouldn’t say there’s any more at stake but, in the league, you want to do well.
“If we win against Carrick, it’ll be a big scalp, especially with how well they’ve started the season, so it’s a big game.”
Posted: Thursday, 11th September 2025
It wasn’t quite a dream second Bangor debut for Lewis Francis, but the defender is glad to be back and felt the Seasiders acquitted themselves capably in their 2-0 defeat to Larne at Clandeboye Park on Saturday.
After wearing the yellow and blue shirt while on loan from Dungannon Swifts in the 2023/24 season, Francis was a big fans’ favourite in Bangor’s first campaign back in the Championship and has now returned on a permanent basis after completing a move from Loughgall on Deadline Day.
The 21-year-old centre-back was drafted on as a substitute for Caomhan McGuinness early in the second period and received a big round of applause from the home faithful, slotting alongside Mark Haughey and Reece Neale in the back-three.
A pair of long-range wonder strikes from Conor McKendry and Benji Magee – a team-mate of Francis’ at Loughgall last campaign – meant the Invermen took the three points, but the centre-back from Magherafelt took positives from Bangor’s performance against the 2023 and 2024 Irish League champions.
“First half, I thought we were really good, I thought we were the better team – we just didn’t get that final ball to drop.
“Second half, I think Larne started to come into it a wee bit more, obviously we had to make a few changes and I came on and it was a more defending-type game whenever they got the first goal.
“They were throwing bodies at it and they were hitting us on the counter, but that kind of happens – you don’t get any points for getting beat 1-0.
“The first half, we kept a really good shape and then, second half, we always knew Larne were probably going to be better than they were in the first half.
“I think it took two wonder goals, Conor McKendry hit the post and it went in and then Benji Magee sticks one in from the far left-hand side into the top corner, so you just kind of have to hold your hands up to that.”
Lewis Francis
Francis admits he jumped at the chance to return to Bangor as soon as Lee Feeney made it known he wanted to bring him back.
The towering defender enjoyed his first taste of the Sports Direct Premiership having joined Loughgall from Dungannon in the summer of 2024, but with the Villagers relegated and the Seasiders going up, he felt the stars aligned for him to make his return to Clandeboye Park.
Francis made 40 appearances during his loan spell and scored 10 goals as well as providing three assists, earning the then-19-year-old a spot in the Championship Team of the Year.
He was also popular amongst his team-mates and the supporters and is glad to have been greeted with a warm welcome by many familiar faces on his return, inking a two-year deal.
“It’s good to be back – I was obviously away for a year and I’d taken what I thought was the next step that I had to make.
“But when the chance came to come back, it was one that I really wanted to take and I’d missed a lot of the boys around the club and the supporters.
“They’d been keeping in contact with me, and when I came back, I was delighted to see so many familiar faces.
“It’s a great group of players and the new boys that have come in, I’ve only had one training session but they all seem to fit the criteria that Lee looks for – good people in the changing room so, hopefully, it’ll be a good year.”
Lewis Francis
Although last term ended in disappointment for Francis with Loughgall dropping out of the top-flight, he believes he has grown on the Premiership stage and is eager keep learning.
With experienced former Linfield and Glenavon centre-back Haughey and ex-Ballymena United, Crusaders and H&W Welders defender Kyle Owens having since joined the ranks, Francis is keen to bounce off them – as well as Neale, who he knows well – and continue improving this season.
“It was a good learning curve – it obviously wasn’t the year that I wanted and Loughgall as a club wanted after doing so well the previous season.
“But I think just being in and around that environment has made me a better player coming in and I’ve still got a lot to learn.
“I’m still only 21 so, hopefully, learning off the likes of Hawks and even wee Reece, big Kyle, it’ll be good.
“There’s a lot more football to be played, so I’m looking forward to it.”
Lewis Francis
Posted: Wednesday, 10th September 2025
We are delighted to welcome Jay Boyd to Clandeboye Park.
The 22 year old striker departed Crusaders prior to the close of the transfer window and now joins the Seasiders on a two year contract.
Boyd spent the first half of last season on loan at Loughgall before returning to Seaview in January, scoring seven times in last season’s #SportsDirectPrem.
Welcome to Bangor, Jay
Posted: Tuesday, 9th September 2025
Harry Lynch paid tribute to a game Bangor effort in defeat to Larne on Saturday afternoon and felt the Seasiders had done enough that on another day, they could have picked up a points reward from the Clandeboye Park contest.
The defender was reflecting on an encounter that was ultimately decided by two sensational goals, with Larne substitute Conor McKendry breaking the deadlock on 71 minutes through a 30-yard curler that nicked the inside of the post on its way in before Benji Magee blasted a second past Gareth Deane from a similar range five minutes from time that settled the issue.
Before that, Bangor produced a well-organised and disciplined performance that kept the Invermen at arm’s length while still posing a threat going forward, with Ben Cushnie and Mark Haughey being unfortunate not to properly connect on good chances in the first half.
Teenage centre-back Lynch had a glass-half-full outlook after the match and felt the Yellows could take heart from their display.
“Yeah, it was an even enough game – they showed their quality later on, they had two shots on target and scored two goals, and that was just the difference between the two teams.
“They were two wonder strikes, and we were pushing for it at the end but they seen it out.
“We could’ve got something there, especially after the first half, but it’s on to next week.
“It’s tough as well – we played on Tuesday (a 3-0 Co Antrim Shield defeat to Carrick Rangers) and then to come here and play so well for 75 minutes, I thought that was really good.”
Harry Lynch
Warrenpoint native Lynch has been encouraged by Bangor’s displays to date and also feels the players can overcome any opponent in the Sports Direct Premiership on home turf.
The Seasiders have beaten Cliftonville and Dungannon Swifts at Clandeboye and were well in the contest in defeats to Crusaders and on Saturday – and the 19-year-old feels the Seasiders have a solid foundation they can keep building on.
Lynch insisted that if Bangor keep showing promise in creating chances and defending their own box while adding a bit more ruthless edge, they will continue to improve as a whole.
“We’ve been hard done by a little bit by the fine margins, but especially here, no one’s walked us off the park, no one’s ran all over us.
“Every game’s been tight, every game it looks like we can win it, and especially here, I think we can beat any team in the league.
“We’re making teams work for it here, but the chances are there – we’re getting good chances.
“It would be worse if you’re not creating chances and you’re conceding a lot of goals every week.
“But we’re keeping everything tight and then we’re getting chances, creating chances. We just need to be ruthless in both boxes, which we kind of have been – we’re not far away.”
Harry Lynch
Lynch has been a smash hit since his summer arrival from Glenavon and ended Saturday’s game at right wing-back after both Jack O’Mahony and Caomhan McGuinness were forced off with injuries either side of half-time.
His performances were rewarded on Tuesday night when he was given the captain’s armband by Lee Feeney against Carrick in midweek – with the Bangor manager having to watch from the side on Saturday after he was sent off in the latter stages at Taylors Avenue.
Northern Ireland Under-19 international Lynch admitted that came as a surprise but he relished the responsibility.
“Yeah, that was a bit of a surprise, so it was!
“But it was a class achievement, I was really happy and proud to wear it and, hopefully, next time, we win.”
Bangor battled well but two second-half goals proved enough for Larne to come away with all three points in the sides' Sports Direct Premiership encounter at Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon.
Bangor started enterprisingly and forced Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson into action to collect a couple of near-post crosses, while Gareth Deane grabbed bravely at the feet of Tiarnan O'Connor as the Invermen flighted one in from the right-hand side on five minutes.
It was a subdued start, however, with the first opportunity at goal taking a while to emerge – with Mick Morgan introduced in place of Jack O'Mahony in an early injury-enforced substitution on 13 minutes.
Ben Cushnie was within a hair's breadth on 17 minutes when Bangor fashioned a slick passing interchange down the left, with Ben Arthurs setting him in behind, but the ball was just out of Cushnie's reach with Ferguson gathering.
Larne by contrast had yet to really test Deane and the wait for the first real shot of the game continued past the half-hour mark – but Morgan forced a corner as Larne defender Matt Ridley had to skew over his own bar from the striker's cross.
Caomhan McGuinness did likewise on 34 minutes with Ridley turning behind again after Arthurs played the right-back in, while Arthurs' header back into the danger zone was begging for a Bangor touch on 40 minutes before Mark Haughey was unfortunate not to connect from a few yards out as Ferguson again gathered it.
Randall let fly from halfway line in the first real shot of note in the first period, and it was the last meaningful action with the score goalless at the break.
In the second half, Lewis Francis' second Bangor debut came on 50 minutes and in place of Caomhan McGuinness, who also picked up an injury, with Harry Lynch slotting to right wing-back while Francis slotted into the back three.
As for the action, it continued to be shot-shy with Bangor dealing with a couple of right-sided Larne corners, with Randall firing high over the bar from the edge of the half on 56 minutes in the first opportunity of the half. O'Connor did likewise a few minutes later after he had cut in from the left.
On 63 minutes, Larne enjoyed perhaps the best opportunity of the game when Benji Magee was played through, but he blazed high over the bar with Deane bearing down on him while on goal. Matty Lusty then slotted wide after breaking down the right, with referee Ross Dunlop waving off suggestions of a foul on Reece Neale.
69 minutes passed when Larne substitute Dan Bent turned fellow replacement Conor McKendry's cross into the net, but he had already been flagged for offside before Lusty's strike deflected kindly and took the sting off the shot for Deane to gather.
Larne were turning the screw – and on 71 minutes, they took the lead in spectacular style. McKendry picked up on the right and his audacious curling shot dipped and swerved and went in off the inside of the left-hand post.
Bangor had battled gamely but had found themselves needing to get a foothold back in the game – and they threatened on 77 minutes when Neale's sublime cross-field ball found Lynch who had got in behind, but he couldn't keep his shot down.
On 83 minutes and with Kyle Owens now installed as an auxiliary centre-forward, it was Francis who almost set up a golden chance with his header backwards agonisingly out of reach of a Bangor body when a shot was on.
But on 85 minutes, Larne doubled their lead through Magee, with the striker getting in the middle after the ball was worked down the left. That ultimately proved enough to wrap up the spoils, with Lusty dragging a one-on-one attempt off target before the ref signalled for time.
Bangor are back at home and looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Sports Direct Premiership this Saturday when Larne are the visitors to Clandeboye Park.
The Seasiders got back to winning ways at home last weekend when they came from behind to overcome Dungannon Swifts 2-1, making it six points out of 15 for the month of August.
Now they are looking to start September on a high in league play in the first meeting with the Invermen in more than 30 years.
In midweek, Bangor’s interest in the County Antrim Shield came to an early end as a rotated Yellows line-up lost 3-0 to Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue.
But after a Ben Arthurs strike and a Steven Scott own goal helped them defeat Dungannon last Saturday, recovering after Andrew Mitchell’s deadlock-breaking header to take all three points amid the inclement weather, they are back in stride in the Premiership following a run of three successive defeats to Glentoran (1-0), Crusaders (3-1) and Ballymena United (4-0).
Bangor now face a Larne side who enter having battled past Queen’s University 1-0 in the Shield, with midfielder Chris Gallagher’s first-half strike helping Gary Haveron’s side to the next round of the competition.
The east Antrim side are also unbeaten in their last three in the league, including successive wins over Portadown (4-0) and Ballymena United (2-0) to add to a 1-1 draw with Cliftonville, and after a 1-0 defeat away to Coleraine in their first game of the campaign, they have seven points from 12 and in confident mood.
As such, in the first clash in the top-tier between these two sides since January 1995, it promises to be another tricky test for Lee Feeney’s charges on Saturday afternoon.
It’s the first league meeting of any description between the teams since the 2015/16 season when the clubs were in the second-tier, with Bangor having since had two relegations and three promotions to return to the top table.
Larne, meanwhile, have enjoyed some of the greatest moments in their history in that time, becoming a full-time, fully professional side after Kenny Bruce’s takeover of the club in 2017.
They won the Championship in 2019, played in Europe for the first time in 2021 and claimed the first two Gibson Cups in their history as they won the Premiership in 2023 and 2024.
Last summer, Larne also made history by qualifying for the League Phase of the Conference League, defeating Belgian team KAA Gent in their last game in December courtesy of Tomas Cosgrove’s second-half winner.
They went on to finish second in the table last term and gave another good account on the continent this summer, reaching the Third Qualifying Round of the Conference League.
Feeney will therefore have Bangor well-prepared for facing Haveron’s men and will look to put on an impressive display on the day in a bid to claim three more important points.
And don’t forget to pick up your copy of The Seasider, the official matchday programme, which will be on sale in both the home and away ends for £3.
Bangor's interest in the County Antrim Shield for this season is over after the Seasiders were defeated 3-0 by Carrick Rangers at Taylors Avenue on Tuesday night.
A heavily rotated starting line-up – with only Gareth Deane, Harry Lynch and Mick Morgan retaining their places following the weekend 2-1 win over Dungannon Swifts – battled gamely before Carrick pulled away in the latter stages.
There were also full debuts for Paul Osew and Oisin Devlin, who appeared as second-half substitutes against the Swifts at a rain and windswept Clandeboye Park, while teenage centre-back Alfie Mitchell also made his senior bow in yellow and blue in defence alongside Lynch – handed the captain's armband aged just 19 – and the experienced Kyle Owens.
The evergreen Michael Halliday appeared in a matchday squad for the first time this season and featured as a late substitute, although through Jack Scott's penalty on 70 minutes and Carrick debutant Codey James' first goal for the club four minutes later, Stephen Baxter's side were well in control by the time he was introduced.
Ben Buchanan-Rolleston then added a third for the east Antrim side in added-time, with Bangor manager Lee Feeney also being shown a red card by referee Jamie Robinson in the latter stages as the visitors exited the Shield at Carrick's hands for the second season in a row.
With six teenagers playing on the night – Lynch, Mitchell, Devlin, Morgan, Liam Burns and Ross Ferguson, plus Lawton McMahon as the substitute goalkeeper – it was still valuable experience for them and more minutes spread across the squad as Bangor turn their focus back to the league.
Next up in the Sports Direct Premiership is a return to home soil, with Bangor welcoming Larne to Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon for a 3pm kick-off and looking to make it a third home win in four outings so far.
It’s two in and one out on Deadline Day for Bangor, with Lewis Francis and Patrick Solis Grogan both making returns to the Clandeboye Park on permanent deals as Matthew Ferguson departs the club.
Highly-rated 21-year-old defender Francis needs no introduction to Bangor fans having been hugely popular during his loan spell on the seaside from Dungannon Swifts in the 2023/24 season.
The Magherafelt man’s outstanding displays at the heart of the Bangor backline earned him a spot in the NIFL Championship Team of the Year and made him a firm favourite amongst the supporters and his team-mates.
Then a promising teenager, the towering Francis scored 10 goals and provided three assists across 40 appearances for Lee Feeney’s side, also going on to be named the club’s Players’ Player of the Year and Directors’ Young Player of the Year at the end-of-season Awards Dinner.
From there, he earned a move to Loughgall, signing for the Lakeview Park outfit on a three-year deal in the summer of 2024 and playing regularly in the Sports Direct Premiership last campaign – and that’s where he’ll remain after rejoining Bangor on a permanent basis.
Francis joins on a two-year deal for an undisclosed fee and will aim to kick on under Feeney in the top-flight this term.
Solis Grogan, meanwhile, also joins on a permanent basis, with the 21-year-old goalkeeper joining Francis in moving to Clandeboye Park on a two-year contract having also endeared himself to the Bangor supporters.
The Spanish-born shot-stopper cemented himself as an instant fan favourite after his loan spell between the sticks from Dungannon in the second half of last season.
Solis Grogan made 15 appearances and kept eight clean sheets to help Bangor to Playr-Fit Championship title glory, delivering eye-catching saves as well as playing his part in helping the Yellows reach their first Irish Cup semi-final in 19 years in that famous 3-1 victory over Glentoran at a floodlit Clandeboye in February.
Now the goalkeeper – born in Llanera, Spain and who has previously represented the likes of Larne and Coagh United in the Irish League – is back for good after completing a Deadline Day transfer from the Swifts, whom he joined from the Inver Reds in the summer of 2024.
Solis Grogan will now have his sights on making fresh memories after agreeing a permanent switch and becoming part of Lee Feeney’s panel in the Sports Direct Premiership this season.
Elsewhere, striker Ferguson has completed a permanent move to Championship side Dundela for an undisclosed fee.
The frontman from Dundonald joined Bangor from Harland and Wolff Welders last summer and played an important role in the Seasiders’ second-tier title success.
Ferguson made 41 appearances – 32 of which were starts – last term and scored 21 goals in all competitions as well as chipping in with five assists, forming a formidable strike pair with Ben Arthurs that ultimately inspired the Yellows to the Championship crown.
The 29-year-old, who previously enjoyed a spell on loan at Dundela from Ballymena United as a teenager before spending a two-year stint with the Wilgar Park club between 2016 and 2018, also made three appearances in the Premiership this season but has now rejoined the east Belfast side after a Deadline Day switch.
Bangor thanks Spike for his contributions throughout his time in yellow and blue and wishes him well for his future endeavours.
Posted: Tuesday, 2nd September 2025
Liam Hassin is keen for Bangor to embark on another extended cup run this season as the Seasiders brace for the opening round of this year’s Toals Senior Shield on Tuesday night.
Lee Feeney’s charges face Carrick Rangers for the second successive campaign but this time are on the road to Taylors Avenue, with the east Antrim side having sealed a 4-0 triumph at Clandeboye Park last term.
A Paul Heatley brace coupled with finishes from Kurtis Forsythe and Danny Gibson ensured a comfortable success for Carrick – then managed by Stuart King – a year ago but with the two sides now in the same league, Hassin has cast his sights on going one better this time round.
Now under Stephen Baxter’s tutelage, Carrick have made a flying start to the season having picked up 10 points out of a possible 12 in the league and are expected to ask questions of their visitors on Tuesday.
But midfielder Hassin, who previously played for Carrick in the 2019/20 campaign, enjoyed being part of Bangor’s famous run to the Irish Cup semi-finals last season and is eager for the Yellows to savour more success in the knock-out competitions in 2025/26.
“Yeah, absolutely, we want to go on another cup run this year. You’ve seen what it done for Bangor, for all the fans, getting that cup run last year in the Irish Cup.
“So, we’ll treat it like another game, do our homework, we’ll recover well and put all our focus on Carrick on Tuesday night.”
Posted: Monday, 1st September 2025
Liam Hassin felt a dogged work-rate and a strong grit and determination amid horrendous weather conditions proved telling in Bangor’s battling comeback victory over Dungannon Swifts at Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon.
The wind and rain made this Sports Direct Premiership encounter anything but a spectacle, but the midfielder was glad the Seasiders weathered the storm and sealed the three points.
Although the Swifts opened the scoring through Andrew Mitchell’s header on 36 minutes, the hosts were back level through Ben Arthurs’ smart finish just six minutes later before an own goal by Steven Scott – flicking a header into his own net from Reece Neale’s swooping corner – just after the hour proved enough for a 2-1 win.
It also ends a three-game losing run for Bangor, and Hassin insists the fighting spirit on show at the weekend is essential if the Yellows intend to keep putting points on the board.
“The conditions definitely didn’t help – both teams found it hard to get it down, and even when we were getting it down, it was maybe skipping away from us.
“That made it difficult, Dungannon are a good side as we know obviously from the semi-final last year and how well they done with winning the Irish Cup.
“So, it was a difficult game, but it’s good to get the three points.
“This is the thing in the Irish League especially, even in the Championship too where it can be dog-eat-dog and you need to do that side of the game.
“We have to do that every week – we know with the group we have what we need to do every week, and we need to do that to give ourselves a platform to go on and get a hold of the game.
“The hard work is a given, you have to do it.”
Liam Hassin
After a largely uneventful opening 35 minutes, Rodney McAree’s Swifts broke the deadlock nine minutes before the interval when Mitchell headed home Danny Wallace’s inswinging cross, with Gareth Deane palming onto the post but unable to stop it from going into his net.
It was the visitors’ first open-play goal of the campaign as they entered the contest in search of their first points of the season after four successive losses, but Arthurs hit back for Lee Feeney’s side before the break with a superb strike into the top corner after Tiarnan Mulvenna’s fine ball in behind played him through.
Bangor completed the turnaround on 61 minutes with a goal that epitomised the work-rate Hassin referred to, with Arthurs doing superbly to force a corner off Swifts defender Wallace.
Neale swung in from the right and, with the imperious Mark Haughey looking to get the key touch, it was instead young Swifts full-back Scott who flicked past his own goalkeeper Declan Dunne for what proved to be the deciding finish.
Larne man Hassin paid tribute to the response to going behind and admits reacting after going behind is something Bangor have looked to improve in the early weeks of this term.
“The (Dungannon) goal was probably soft, we could’ve cleared our lines a couple of times and it went into a bad area, their man’s able to get it in the box and he (Mitchell) got up for the header and scores.
“I think going behind in games is probably something that’s affected us a bit too much in previous gameweeks where we’re going behind and we sort of crumble a bit.
“So, to get the response we did from Big Ben, it was a great finish, to be fair.
“Listen, going behind in games happens and it’s how you react, it’s about getting the next (goal), the next after that and, thankfully, we’ve done that today.”
Liam Hassin
The 24-year-old former Ballyclare Comrades favourite went on to praise the rearguard effort, with Haughey, Harry Lynch and the returning Caomhan McGuinness – back from injury for his first appearance of the season – forming a formidable back-three in front of Deane.
With teenage midfielder Oisin Devlin and wide player Paul Osew also showing promise off the bench on their Bangor debuts, it proved to be a good day at the office all round.
“They probably had more of the ball in the second half, even with us having the wind.
“Getting the goal, you tend to drop a wee bit and fight it on a bit, but the boys at the back were excellent.
“Again, we talk about having a foundation to work off, and they were solid all game – I don’t think Deanesy had too many saves to make, so having that foundation’s brilliant.
“Then you can rely on your forward players to be the match-winners.”
Liam Hassin
Hassin also touched on what it means to put right that run of three straight defeats.
Bangor had lost to Glentoran (1-0), Crusaders (3-1) and Ballymena United (4-0) after that 3-1 opening day success over Cliftonville, and the midfielder admits it is simply a brutal reality of being a newly promoted side in the Premiership.
But he also adds that so long as he and his team-mates take lessons on board and produce a positive reaction, the Seasiders will continue to enjoy their time back in the big league.
“Going back through the previous games, we’re going to lose matches – obviously you don’t want to lose matches, but these things happen and it’s how you react.
“It’s how you move on to the next one, it’s how you learn from your mistakes, how you lost that game.
“If we didn’t do something in particular, working on it and not repeating the same mistakes, so yeah, it’s good to get the three points today and it’s on to the next one.”
Bangor mounted a 2-1 comeback victory over Dungannon Swifts at a wet and windy Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon, in the process bringing to an end the recent three-game losing run in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Dungannon enjoyed the game's first shot when Tomas Galvin drew a smart block from Harry Lynch just four minutes in, with the inclement torrents of rain and gusts of wind having a clear impact in the early stages of the match.
Chances continued to be at an extreme premium amid the wind and rain approaching the halfway point, with high winds influencing cross-field balls and respective goalkeepers Gareth Deane and Declan Dunne dealing with whatever was floated their way.
On 24 minutes, Bangor's first real chance came from a free-kick on the left. Reece Neale played a give-and-go with Tiarnan Mulvenna after going short and the left wing-back whipped into the box, with Ben Arthurs placing his header agonisingly past the post.
Dungannon had a penalty appeal waved off on 34 minutes when Adam Glenny went down, but it proved a warning shot when the away side opened the scoring a couple of minutes later. A cross in from the left was diverted goal-bound by Andrew Mitchell, and Gareth Deane pushed his header onto the post but it wasn't enough to stop it from going into the back of the net.
Bangor hadn't really got going but, three minutes before half-time, they got back on level terms. Tiarnan Mulvenna's impressive ball in behind was perfectly into Ben Arthurs' stride, the Kircubbin man took a touch and he blasted into the top right corner beyond Dunne's sprawling dive.
The second half saw Bangor playing with the wind, with clear-cut chances still at a premium – although Arthurs was unfortunate to miscue his touch as he looked to race in behind almost immediately after the restart.
On 57 minutes, Oisin Devlin – who made the move on a season-long loan from Larne earlier in the week – was handed his Bangor debut in midfield as he replaced Mulvenna, slotting in with Liam Hassin.
But four minutes later, Bangor had the goal they craved. Arthurs bravely won a corner off Danny Wallace and Neale stepped up to whip into the box. His inswinging delivery was towards the near post and Mark Haughey got in – although it looked like a Dungannon flick on first glance – and Dunne was powerless to prevent the ball going into the net.
Bangor continued to threaten and, on 64 minutes, a neat interchange between Arthurs, Ben Cushnie and Mick Morgan had to be hurriedly cleared by the Dungannon rearguard. Paul Osew then entered for his Seasiders bow on 70 minutes in place of Morgan as Dungannon looked to work back into the game.
The return of Caomhan McGuinness from the start after a hamstring injury for his first appearance of the season – against a side he enjoyed a previous loan stint at five years ago – was also notable, while Dungannon sent a couple of nerves shaking when an overhit cross edged just over Deane's crossbar.
On 74 minutes, former AFC Wimbledon man Osew's effort was blocked and won a Bangor corner on the left – though it came to nothing – and going into the remainder of the contests, the hosts looked to manage their lead.
Dungannon had other ideas, though, and thought they'd levelled on 81 minutes when an inswinging corner went all the way in, but referee Ben McMaster disallowed it with Gareth Deane mobbed in the penalty area. At the other end, Arthurs agonisingly turned Neale's free-kick wide of the mark a few minutes afterwards.
Devlin saw a goal-bound header blocked at the back stick in stoppage-time, Arthurs' header inched wide and an audacious shot from halfway had Dunne worried, but Bangor saw things out and kept the three points in North Down.
New signing Paul Osew has revealed his excitement at taking on a new challenge in the Irish League with Bangor and is keen to show his quality in yellow and blue throughout this term.
Versatile left-sided player Osew, who has linked up at Clandeboye Park over the summer, is originally from Wandsworth in Southwest London but admits he jumped at the opportunity to move to Northern Ireland and test himself in the Sports Direct Premiership this season.
Osew, who can play both at left-back or further up the field, brings extensive English Football League pedigree having made more than 50 appearances in League One for AFC Wimbledon whose Academy he graduated through to make his breakthrough at senior level.
And the 24-year-old admits he feels settled in with the Seasiders as he aims to make a telling impact this term.
“Things are going good, I’ve settled in well – I’m getting used to the area, it’s definitely different from London.
“London’s a little bit hectic, but I’m staying in Donaghadee and it’s peaceful, it’s very quiet. I can go out on walks and just clear my head, so it’s good.”
Paul Osew
Osew has also played for Northampton Town, Welling United and Woking, but it is with AFC Wimbledon where he has made his most significant splash to date.
Most notably, he featured 27 times in League One in the 2021/22 season having also made 18 appearances – including 15 starts – as a teenager in the Covid-curtailed 2019/20 term.
So, with that in mind, what was it about the Irish League that convinced Osew to make the move?
“That’s probably the most common question I’ve been asked! Honestly, I just felt like I needed something different.
“My agent sorted this out and he was like, ‘Would you consider Northern Ireland?’, and he said Bangor’s just been promoted to the Premiership.
“I said why not? It’s something different, and sometimes you need to leave home to come back, if you know what I mean.
“I’ve come over here and the training’s good, the lads are good, it’s a good changing room, so I’m definitely happy that I took the risk to come here.
“I’m a player that likes one-v-ones, crosses, so I’m just looking to bring my positive abilities and help the team get to where it needs to be, especially staying in the Premiership.
“The manager (Lee Feeney), the Chairman (Graham Bailie) and the players have all made me feel welcome, so that’s the least I can try and help them do and bring my experience from playing at high levels to the changing room.
“Everything’s been easygoing, they’ve made everything easy to understand.
“The gaffer’s explained what he’s looking from me and that’s exactly what I know I can deliver, so we’re all on the same page.”
Paul Osew
Osew spent an initial trial period at Bangor in July, which included a goal in a 3-2 friendly victory over St James’ Swifts at Clandeboye Park, before that became a permanent move.
While he has been sidelined with a small knock in the early part of the season, Osew has had plenty of time to make observations on the league and pinpoint where he can leave a mark.
He admits the Irish League is stylistically different to what he thought it would be but is relishing stepping out of his comfort zone and also wants to inspire others to follow suit.
“Irish League football’s definitely shocked me, it’s definitely different to what I thought it was going to be.
“The pace is still very much intense, but it’s physical and that’s probably the main thing I’ve took from it.
“But I think what we tend to do, people who haven’t tried out here, is we underestimate certain leagues because we know that football’s from England and thinking that it doesn’t get better than England.
“But why not step out and try somewhere else? I suppose I also want to be someone that starts this off for someone else, someone maybe in England or London who wants to step out and that there is something good out here.
“I’m always up for new challenges, it’s something that I’ve been used to for 24 years, staying in England – I’ve tried going out to Germany and Belgium, but it just didn’t work out because of Brexit regulations.
“But when Northern Ireland came, I felt like there was nothing to lose and I wanted to get back and enjoy playing football and it’s a great opportunity for me to play in the Northern Irish Premiership.”
Paul Osew
Osew, who also spent time in Premier League club Brentford’s Academy, says he also retains a fond affection for AFC Wimbledon and is grateful to them for giving him his breakthrough at senior level.
He adds that he is also focused on the here and now and embracing the new challenge of helping Bangor enjoy a successful return to Premiership football this campaign.
“Wimbledon is a club that’s close to my heart, I’d came through from the Under-16s and signed my first professional contract there, so it’s a club that means a lot to me.
“I’d been there about six and a half, seven years and Wimbledon’s a club that’s definitely close to my heart.
“But there comes a time to part ways and try new challenges, so that’s what’s brought me out here, too.”
Paul Osew
Posted: Friday, 29th August 2025
We are also delighted to confirm the signing of Alfie Mitchell.
The 17 year old makes the move to his home town team from Cliftonville.
Earlier this week the defender scored for Bangor Reserves during his first appearance in yellow and blue as the Seasiders defeated Portadown Reserves.
Bangor are back in action and back at home on Saturday afternoon when Dungannon Swifts are the visitors to Clandeboye Park in matchday five of the Sports Direct Premiership season.
The Seasiders are looking to end August on a high and put to bed a recent three-game losing streak against a Swifts side who are on the hunt for their first points of the campaign.
The games have been coming thick and fast for Lee Feeney’s side, who will travel to Carrick Rangers in the First Round of the Senior Shield three days later, and the Bangor boss will aim to get back on the winning trail on the back of last Saturday’s 4-0 loss at Ballymena United.
That followed defeats away to Glentoran (1-0) and at home to Crusaders (3-1), but the 3-1 opening day victory over Cliftonville has shown Bangor’s potential to be competitive in the Premiership, and the squad will look to hit their stride with a victory over Dungannon this weekend.
This game comes five months on from when the sides faced off in the Irish Cup semi-finals, with Rodney McAree’s men prevailing 2-0 at Seaview and going on to win the competition for the first time in their history when they overcame Cliftonville on penalties in the Final.
That accompanied a fourth-placed finish in the Premiership for Dungannon and meant they represented the Irish League in Europe over the summer, facing Liechtenstein’s FC Vaduz in Conference League qualifying and only losing on aggregate after extra-time in the Second Qualifying Round.
The Co Tyrone team are expected to pose a tough test for the Seasiders and are themselves keen to kickstart their campaign having been defeated in their four league matches to date, so this game has all the ingredients for a fascinating encounter on Saturday.
Posted: Friday, 29th August 2025
We’re delighted to welcome Oisin Devlin to Clandeboye Park on a season long loan from Larne.
The 18 year old midfielder will be a familiar face to Bangor supporters having lined up against the Seasiders for Institute throughout the 23/24 Championship campaign.
Devlin then sealed a move to Larne and spent the first half of last season on loan with Ballymena United before returning to Inver Park.
We would like to thank Larne for their assistance in this loan deal.
And great to have you with us, Oisin!
Posted: Thursday, 28th August 2025
Mark Haughey is enjoying life at Bangor and the experienced defender insists he is taking a one-game-at-a-time approach to help the Seasiders enjoy a successful return to Premiership football this season.
The 34-year-old centre-back arrived at Clandeboye Park over the summer and brings a wealth of pedigree and experience, with eight decorated years at Linfield sandwiched between two spells totalling 10 years at Glenavon.
The Newry native boasts an impressive honours list that includes four Irish League titles and two Irish Cups during his time at Windsor Park, where he played between 2013 and 2021, while 190 appearances across his two stints at the Lurgan Blues – who handed him a testimonial between his former clubs that took place at Mourneview Park in July – ensured his fan favourite status at the Co Armagh outfit having debuted in 2007 at the age of 16.
Now Haughey has taken on a new challenge under Lee Feeney at Bangor and recently made his full debut for the Yellows in the 4-0 defeat to Ballymena United, and he has offered his assessment of the season to date.
“I’m enjoying it so far, I was keen to get in early and obviously getting a good pre-season was important which was tough at the same time, but it was good to get the season started.
“A few games in, we obviously had a good start with the result against Cliftonville (a 3-1 win) and there’s been a couple of results that we’re maybe not too proud of, but you have to take each game at a time and, hopefully, we can bounce back from it.
“I think we’ve been playing well – I think when you look at pre-season, sometimes it’s a bit difficult not to look at results and performances, it’s mostly about getting the fitness and getting that togetherness.
“I think when the league started against Cliftonville, I think everybody saw the performance that we can put in and the result that we got.
“All the performances have been good bar maybe the last one against Ballymena, but it’s a tough league and there are some other teams who haven’t got a result yet as well and it’s still very, very early.
“I think it’s only when you come to Christmas time when you’ve had a lot of games that you can really assess where you’re at and what you need to do in terms of getting as many points as possible.”
Mark Haughey
Haughey is a selfless personality who is both keen to play as many games as he can and lend advice from his years in the game to others in the squad both while on and off the pitch.
Against Ballymena, he featured in a backline that contained Kyle Owens – another seasoned top-flight performer from his time at the Sky Blues and Crusaders – vice-captain Reece Neale and teenager Harry Lynch, who also joined Glenavon during the off-season, with 16-year-old goalkeeper Lawton McMahon backing them up with Gareth Deane ruled out through illness.
Haughey, who has played in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers in his time at Linfield, says he is keen to use his experience wherever possible to help the Seasiders move forward in the Premiership.
“I’ve a lot of years and a lot of experience in the game and it’s something that I want to bring anywhere I go, no matter where I play.
“And then if I’m not playing on the matchday, then it’s to try and push the other players in the squad and try to help as much as possible.
“I’m always trying to help out, especially the other defenders – if I’m not playing, I’m always trying to talk as much as possible and give them wee bits of advice and seeing what I can see and helping them out.
“I obviously still want to be involved as much as I can and be playing as much as I can – I came on off the bench against Glentoran and then had a start there against Ballymena.
“So, from my side, I’m trying to help out as much as possible and try and play as much football as I can.”
Mark Haughey
Haughey adds that it is important the players have each other’s backs through the highs and lows that lie ahead for Bangor this term.
The squad has a blend of wise heads who know the demands of Premiership football, young talent eager to shine and a core group of players who have helped the club to title triumphs in the Premier Intermediate League and Championship over the past couple of years.
Haughey feels everyone has their own part to play in ensuring another successful season at Clandeboye Park and believes Premiership survival should be Bangor’s main aim for now.
“Everybody has their part to play in the squad. There’s players in the squad who’ve played in the league for many years and won trophies, there’s some who’ve played in the league and some who haven’t.
“It’s important to have a team environment and trying to make sure that we look after each other.
“It’s going to be a tough season, no matter how you look at it – every game’s going to be tough and I think a realistic ambition for us is to make sure that we stay in the league first and foremost and then build on that.
“There’s obviously a lot of experience in there, so we can hopefully pull together and just take it one game at a time.”
Mark Haughey
Posted: Wednesday, 27th August 2025
Four Star Pizza has become the official sponsor of the Bangor FC Academy Junior Phase.
Thanking Four Star Pizza for their support, Bangor FC Academy Chairperson Stuart Mellon said: “The Academy has made positive strides forward on and off the field of play and we are pleased to announce this exciting partnership with Four Star Pizza. Sponsors are the lifeblood of our club, and we are delighted to have them on board.
“Youth development is key at Bangor FC and we thank Darren Colgan and his team at Four Star for their support, as we look forward to working with them this season.”
The Bangor FC Academy Junior Phase has teams from Under 8s to Under 15s.
Darren Colgan, owner of Four Star Pizza Bangor, said: “We are proud to support the development of young talent within the local community and we are excited to work in partnership with the club and be part of their journey.
“Together, we are looking forward to helping to inspire the next generation of players and we are all eagerly awaiting the start of what should be an exciting season for the Junior Phase teams at the Bangor FC Academy.”
It was a disappointing day at the office for Bangor as the Seasiders were defeated 4-0 by Ballymena United at the Warden Street Showgrounds on Saturday afternoon.
Jim Ervin’s side scored twice either side of half-time to inflict a third straight defeat on their visitors, who now turn their attentions to next week’s home clash against Dungannon Swifts next Saturday when the Yellows will aim to bounce back off the ropes.
Fresh from Tuesday night’s action-packed 3-1 reverse at the hands of Crusaders, Lee Feeney knew he would be called upon to make enforced changes with Stephen McGuinness and Matthew Ferguson both suspended courtesy of their straight red cards in that contest.
There was also a debut in goal for 16-year-old local lad Lawton McMahon with Gareth Deane ruled out due to illness, while Caomhan McGuinness is still absent due to a hamstring injury, but Feeney was handed a boost in the form of Liam Hassin returning to the side after missing the Crues clash with a knock.
Experienced centre-back Mark Haughey also came in for his full debut alongside Kyle Owens in defence, while home town pair Ben Walker – back following a loan spell with Warrenpoint Town where he won the Premier Intermediate League last term – and Ross Ferguson, who returned to Bangor following his two-year stint with Larne, were included in a senior matchday squad for the first time this season.
It always promised to be a tough assignment given Feeney’s charges were facing a side who had claimed six points out of six to start their season having recorded consecutive 2-0 away wins over Glenavon and Portadown in their first pair of outings.
And that was laid bare on six minutes when the Sky Blues scored the opening goal of the game at The Showgrounds.
Ballymena right-back David Toure flighted an inswinging cross into the box, and although neither home attacker Ben Kennedy nor Seasiders defender Haughey could get a clean connection on the ball, it instead fell kindly for Calvin McCurry to place home the opener.
Bangor came close to conjuring a response on 15 minutes when captain Lewis Harrison’s cross found former Ballymena favourite Owens’ head in the box, but his powerful header was beaten away by home stopper Sean O’Neill.
Five minutes later, however, Ballymena were handed a golden chance to add their second of the day when Toure went down in the area under pressure from Harrison.
Referee Shane McGonigle pointed to the spot and Kennedy stepped up, sending McMahon the wrong way as he picked out the bottom right corner to double United’s advantage.
McMahon was on his guard to parry Kennedy’s long-distance curler past the post later in the first half, while questions were asked amongst the away support when Ben Arthurs appeared clean through only to be ruled offside despite protestations on the pitch and in the stands.
However, little could be done to prevent the hosts from making it a three-goal advantage right at the start of the second period.
Kian Corbally hit the net after being laid off by McCurry and he fired through Haughey’s legs and past McMahon into the bottom right corner just two minutes after the restart.
Corbally then doubled up his personal tally and completed the scoring midway through the second half.
Kennedy’s drive from distance bounced back off the crossbar, but the Dubliner was first to respond and placed a header past McMahon into the net that ultimately sealed the deal.
Ballymena rattled an attempt off the top upright again on 71 minutes through Toure, while Bangor were denied a late consolation as the Sky Blues’ Scottish defender Ali Gould slid to deny substitute Mick Morgan four minutes from time.
Teenage midfielder Ferguson also replaced Hassin a minute later to make his competitive senior debut for Bangor having previously shone up to Under-20 level with the Seasiders ahead of his switch to Larne in 2023.
But in the end, Bangor were unable to mark the scoresheet and will look to get back to winning ways against Rodney McAree’s Dungannon at Clandeboye Park next Saturday.
Bangor manager Lee Feeney has no doubts about his players’ ability to respond to setbacks as he readies his side to take on Ballymena United at The Showgrounds on Saturday.
The Seasiders are aiming to produce a response to Tuesday night’s 3-1 loss to Crusaders in which Ben Arthurs and Ben Cushnie both missed penalties and Stephen McGuinness and Matthew Ferguson were shown straight red cards for off-the-ball flashpoints.
Cushnie had put the home side in front after just three minutes before a Fraser Bryden hat-trick turned the game in Crusaders’ favour and ensured Declan Caddell’s side claimed the maximum spoils.
That made it back-to-back defeats following the 1-0 defeat to Glentoran at The BetMcLean Oval three days earlier but Feeney is confident his men can return to winning ways against Jim Ervin’s Sky Blues, who have six points from six after 2-0 wins away to Glenavon and Portadown so far this term.
“Listen, we have to try and recover from this – and I’ve no doubt about that, I know we will.
“We have a great changing room in there, we’re all disappointed.
“We were disappointed to lose 1-0 away to Glentoran, so it just shows you where we’re at, but we pick ourselves up now and we’ve a tough game on Saturday against Ballymena.
“I’m glad it’s soon – things like this (the Crusaders defeat), you don’t want it in your system for too long, and now we’ve a chance to put it to bed.”
Bangor were defeated 3-1 by Crusaders at Clandeboye Park in a Tuesday night thriller in the Sports Direct Premiership that had just about everything – two red cards on the pitch, two more on the bench, two missed penalties, a hat-trick, a late disallowed equaliser and plenty more in between.
Finley Thorndike set the ball rolling for Crusaders and it didn't take long for the goalscoring to start, with Bangor drawing first blood just three minutes in.
Ben Arthurs was felled by Crues left-back Brendan Hamilton and Reece Neale swooped in the ensuing free-kick, and goalkeeper Musa Dibaga could only palm into the path of Ben Cushnie who picked out the top left.
But Crusaders were level just six minutes later. A ball in behind the line was picked up by Fraser Bryden, and he showed aplomb to round Gareth Deane and slot into an empty net.
Bangor got a golden opportunity to level the scores back up on 13 minutes when Dibaga toppled Ben Arthurs and referee Declan Hassan didn't hesitate to point to the spot. However, the Gambia international goalkeeper made amends and parried Arthurs' spot-kick having got low down to his left.
On 26 minutes, the Crues hit the front as Scottish frontman Bryden outmuscled Robbie Garrett before sliding the ball low into the bottom right past Gareth Deane.
The drama was a long, long way from over, however, and on the stroke of half-time, an acrobatic Cushnie scorpion kick attempt came so close to restoring parity, crashing back off the crossbar after Arthurs had flicked Neale's corner into his path.
After the interval, there continued to be an end-to-end feel to the game and, with 51 minutes gone, Kurtis Forsythe's late lunge on Arthurs saw Hassan award another penalty. Cushnie stepped up this time, but it was the same outcome with Dibaga parrying wide.
Chances continued to come and go. Deane pushed former Seasider Jordan Forsythe's header over the bar from a deep free-kick on 65 minutes, Jack O'Mahony's laced attempt was denied on 74 by Dibaga and a dipping effort by Crusaders' Adam Brooks also ended over the bar.
Then, on 80 minutes, a chaotic spell saw two red cards in a minute – Stephen McGuinness the first to be dismissed and then Matthew Ferguson for an off-the-ball altercation.
Earlier in the second half, assistant boss John Douglas and kitman Bradley Ferguson were also dismissed by Hassan.
Still the nine men of Bangor fought and they thought they had a leveller five minutes from time when Arthurs powered home a near-post header, but it was ruled out for an adjudged handball that was protested on the pitch and in the stands.
Instead, Crusaders raced up the other end and made the points safe as Bryden slotted underneath Deane to complete his hat-trick on a chaotic night at Clandeboye.
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Bangor have a swift opportunity to return to winning ways on Tuesday night when Crusaders are the visitors to Clandeboye Park in their third game back in the Sports Direct Premiership.
Lee Feeney’s men have settled in well to top-flight life early doors but are hoping to bounce back quickly from Saturday’s 1-0 defeat to Glentoran at The BetMcLean Oval.
Bangor produced a resilient defensive display but for a momentary lapse at the back midway through the second half which was capitalised on in full by Glens full-back Ryan Cooney.
Now the Yellows are back on home turf and are hoping to get the better of Declan Caddell’s Crues in much the same way that they defeated their north Belfast rivals Cliftonville in their first outing of the campaign.
Goals from Kyle Owens, Ben Arthurs and Mick Morgan helped Feeney’s charges to maximum spoils and a flying start to their top-tier adventure this term with that 3-1 victory last Sunday.
Crusaders, meanwhile, are in action in their second game of the campaign and also looking to respond to a loss having fallen on the wrong side of a seven-goal thriller against Carrick Rangers in their season opener at Seaview the Saturday before last.
Three of their new signings – Fraser Bryden, Adam Brooks and Finley Thorndike – hit the net to put them 3-0 up before Carrick staged a thrilling fightback to win 4-3.
As such, it promises to be a competitive encounter in the first evening clash at Clandeboye of the new campaign.
The last time the sides met was in February 2023 in an Irish Cup Sixth Round encounter that was broadcast live by BBC Northern Ireland, with Bangor giving a strong account as a then-Premier Intermediate League side.
Crusaders took a 2-0 lead courtesy of a Philip Lowry double before Ben Arthurs slotted past Jonny Tuffey midway through the second period to set up a nervy finish at a floodlit Clandeboye Park, with Feeney’s men going out of the competition after a 2-1 defeat but using it as a springboard to promotion into the Championship at the end of that campaign.
The Crues went on to win the Irish Cup and Caddell was at Stephen Baxter’s disposal as a player back then – now he is leading from the touchline.
Going further back, Feeney will not be wanting a repeat of the last couple of meetings when this was a top-flight fixture, with Crusaders winning 5-0 and 4-1 in the 2008/09 campaign.
In fact, not since February 1994 have Bangor beaten Crusaders at home in the league having picked up a 2-1 victory on that occasion – although the Seasiders did beat the Crues by the same scoreline at Seaview in the County Antrim Shield semi-finals thanks to Barry Walsh and Ethan Boylan goals in December 2014, their last competitive win over Tuesday’s opponents.
The Yellows also bagged a 4-2 victory over Baxter’s Crues after extra-time in the League Cup a few weeks earlier for their last home win, although the Shore Road side did hit back in the Irish Cup that campaign with a 2-1 triumph.
Feeney will naturally be hoping to add to the list of successes on Tuesday night, with a win taking his side up to six points from nine for their first three outings back in the big time.
Disappointment was the overarching emotion among the Bangor ranks on Saturday after an unfortunate defensive mix-up resulted in Glentoran taking the maximum spoils at The BetMcLean Oval by a goal to nil.
The Seasiders produced a resilient display and kept the score goalless under several waves of Glens pressure until midway through the second half, with a loose defensive header from Kyle Owens pounced on by Ryan Cooney who tapped in what proved to be the winning goal.
Full-back Cooney, who the Glens signed after his contract at Crewe Alexandra expired in the summer, was alert to prod underneath Gareth Deane and into the net on 66 minutes, with the hosts holding out to claim the victory.
Bangor had entered the game buoyed after the opening day 3-1 victory over Cliftonville and Lee Feeney made just the one alteration from that triumph, with substitute goalscorer Mick Morgan coming in from the start as he replaced Ben Cushnie, who dropped to the bench.
Indeed, the striker probably enjoyed the Seasiders' best chance of the day on 56 minutes after Tiarnan Mulvenna picked Shane McEleney's pocket before firing a ball into the box for Morgan to connect to, but he instead blasted the ball at Glens goalkeeper Andrew Mills' face from close range and was denied.
Cooney was on hand 10 minutes later as Owens tried to head the ball back to Deane unaware that the Englishman was in the vicinity, and he duly nipped in to prod home the winner.
Across the game, Glentoran enjoyed the bulk of possession and threatened mainly through Jordan Jenkins in the first half – a familiar foe from Bangor's time in the Championship having finished joint with Matthew Ferguson as the league's top scorer while on loan at Dundela in 2023/24.
On 22 minutes, the livewire striker hit the crossbar and, on 41 minutes, he forced a top save out of Deane as Bangor entered the interval on level terms despite Declan Devine's side piling on the pressure.
Still with February's stirring 3-1 Irish Cup quarter-final win at Clandeboye Park fresh in the mind, Bangor entered the second half hopeful they could add another to their collection behind enemy lines but, alas, it wasn't to be.
In the end, Glentoran saw out the win and Lee Feeney's men quickly turn their focus to Tuesday night's home clash with Crusaders at Clandeboye Park when they will quickly look to return to winning ways.
NEXT MATCH: Tues, 19th August - BANGOR v CRUSADERS, SPORTS DIRECT PREMIERSHIP, Clandeboye Park, 7:45pm
Posted: Saturday, 16th August 2025
The big tests keep on coming and Bangor manager Lee Feeney is expecting another tough challenge when the Seasiders travel to The BetMcLean Oval to face Glentoran on Saturday.
It was a thrilling start to life back in the Premiership for Feeney’s charges after last Sunday’s 3-1 victory over Cliftonville at a packed Clandeboye Park, with Kyle Owens, Ben Arthurs and Mick Morgan grabbing the goals for the hosts.
But the Yellows supremo isn’t getting ahead of himself and is anticipating another tricky test against the Glens in east Belfast this weekend.
What can be said is that Feeney has been there and done it – Bangor upset Declan Devine’s men with a 3-1 home win in February’s Irish Cup quarter-final showdown – but he knows it will be a very different assignment this time around and is refusing to rest on his laurels as he aims to make it two wins from two to start the season.
“We have to do our homework, we have to recover, roll our sleeves up.
“It’s going to be another tough challenge for us – for us to come away with six points in the first two fixtures we have this season, it’s a big, big ask.
“But we’re going to work hard to try and achieve it.”
Lee Feeney
Vice-captain Reece Neale echoed his manager’s sentiments but, from a player’s perspective, insisted games like this weekend’s are exactly why he plays the game.
The left-sided defender knows what it’s like to be part of a newly promoted top-flight outfit – he helped Carrick Rangers survive their first season back in 2019/20 – and is staying level-headed as Bangor eye back-to-back victories.
Glentoran have the same objective after Danny Amos hit the only goal of the game to help Devine’s side to victory away to Portadown last Sunday, but 27-year-old Neale feels Bangor must relish the task in hand.
“Another one, another tough test for us. They just keep coming – in this league, every week it’s a big game.
“You’re playing these big clubs every week, which is why you play football – you want to play in these big games at the end of the day.
“So, bring it on is what I say, let’s see what we can do.”
Reece Neale
FIXTURE NEWS: The Seasiders will head to Taylors Avenue to face Carrick Rangers in the opening round of this season’s County Antrim Shield.
The tie will be played to a finish on Tuesday 2nd September at 7.45pm.
Posted: Thursday, 14th August 2025
Bangor FC has officially announced G&H Film and Television Services as the club’s main sponsor for the 2025/26 season.
G&H has been a committed supporter of the Seasiders since the 2018/19 season, playing a vital role in the club’s journey back to the Premiership.
Bangor FC Chairman Graham Bailie said: "G&H has been instrumental in Bangor FC’s rise through the leagues. Their support began during our time in the Ballymena League and has been instrumental in driving our rapid development.
"We have built a fantastic relationship with Maurice Brown and his team and we are proud to continue that partnership into the future."
G&H Director Maurice Brown said: “We are delighted to continue our partnership with Bangor FC for the eighth successive season. The club’s ambition and progress over recent years has been remarkable, and it’s a privilege to support their journey.
"Lee, his management team and players have achieved something special by returning the club to the Premiership after nearly two decades. It is an incredible feat, and we are privileged to have played a small part in the success over the past few seasons.
"We know the season ahead will be challenging, but we’re committed to helping Bangor FC push for continued success and stability at the top level.”
(Posted: Thursday, 14th August 2025)
Ben Arthurs has signed a new three year contract with the Seasiders.
Arthurs joined Bangor in the summer of 2018 ahead of the Seasiders' second season in the Ballymena League, scoring 38 goals across all competitions and 27 in league play to inspire the club back into the Premier Intermediate League in 2019.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic curtailed that first term back in the third-tier – Arthurs ended it as Bangor's top scorer once again with 17 finishes – the best was still to come from the Kircubbin man and, after the 2021/22 season ended in heartache with a promotion play-off defeat to Knockbreda, he spearheaded the charge to put it right the following year.
Arthurs marked the 2022/23 term with the equalising goal in the glorious 2-1 Steel and Sons Cup Final triumph over Dunmurry Rec, his 100th goal for Bangor against Dollingstown amid a hat-trick at Planters Park and 20 league goals and 31 in all to help Bangor return to the Playr-Fit Championship – collecting the PIL's Player of the Year award.
He didn't stop there and the following year grabbed 25 goals in all competitions as Bangor came agonisingly short of a promotion play-off in their first season back in the second-tier, finishing third, while he also netted his first four-goal haul for the club in a 4-2 comeback win over Ballyclare Comrades in a County Antrim Shield clash in September.
But the Yellows put that right last season and it was another milestone campaign for Arthurs – most notably finding the net against Annagh United in a 3-0 Irish Cup victory in February for his 144th competitive Bangor goal that took him above Andy Morrow into second-place all-time on the club top scorer's chart.
That month, he also hit successive hat-tricks against Ballinamallard United and Armagh City before scoring the opener in the famous 3-1 Irish Cup quarter-final victory over Glentoran that booked a first last-four appearance in the competition for 19 years.
The cherry on top was still to come, though, in the form of Championship victory – assisting Mick Morgan's winner against H&W Welders that ultimately clinched the title. He ended 2024/25 with yet another club top scorer prize, with 26 strikes across all competitions, and the NIFL, NIFWA, Ulster and PFA NI Championship Player of the Year accolades.
And against Cliftonville on Sunday, he got the second goal of the game in Bangor's first top-flight game in over 16 years, helping Lee Feeney's men to a 3-1 victory over Cliftonville and their first in the Premiership since December 2008.
That was his 158th goal for Bangor in the fourth different league and 11th different competition – league and cup – across Arthurs' seven years at the club... and there'll be more to come.
Bangor made the dream start to life back in the big time as the Seasiders defeated Cliftonville 3-1 at Clandeboye Park in their first Premiership fixture in more than 16 years, producing an accomplished performance in the process to take a deserved three points.
Tiarnan Mulvenna got the ball rolling for the Seasiders and they had a presentable chance on four minutes when Cliftonville goalkeeper Lewis Ridd's loose kick-out was straight to Ben Cushnie, but his effort was blocked by the recovering defence.
Bangor settled well early doors before the Reds had their first half-chance through Conor Barr's errant header on nine minutes, while Odhran Casey flicked the top of the crossbar a few minutes later with a stretching header from Rory Hale's left-sided corner.
On 15 minutes, Reece Neale's weighted long ball was collected by Ben Arthurs who outmuscled Jonny Addis to bear down on Ridd, but he opted to square instead of shoot inside the area and the ball was cleared by the Cliftonville defence.
The Reds subsequently enjoyed a series of long spells of possession without really penetrating an organised Bangor defensive shape, but the hosts strung a promising move together with the pitch opened us as Mulvenna's give-and-go with Stephen McGuinness was just out of reach of the left wing-back and Ridd gathered it.
On 28 minutes, Casey rattled the crossbar for a second time when his rasping effort crashed back off the upright as Deane sprawled. He'd initially won a free-kick off Mulvenna that Hale swung into the area.
Casey directed another Hale corner wide just after the half-hour, while Ridd palmed a Reece Neale free-kick past the post on 34 minutes. Neale's subsequent corner was cleared by the Reds, while a goalmouth scramble from another Hale delivery was cleared by the Bangor defence on 36 minutes to keep it goalless.
Lewis Harrison then sent an ambitious drive agonisingly wide after Jack O'Mahony's cross was only half-cleared on 39 minutes.
On 41 minutes – bedlam. Neale's low free-kick was palmed away by Ridd but Stephen McGuinness was first to the punch, directing a low cross along the face of goal where Kyle Owens was at the back stick to tap home. Bangor's first goal back in the Premiership sparked jubilation in the stands in the lead-up to half-time.
On 44 minutes, an amusing scene for the Bangor fans saw Hale stumble over a corner flag as he looked to send a corner delivery in, and Bangor saw out their one-goal lead to the break.
On the restart, Cliftonville subbed on their all-time record goalscorer Joe Gormley in a bid to add firepower up top – and it worked on 51 minutes. A floated ball towards the back stick found Gormley's fellow striker Ryan Curran and he prodded home their leveller.
Bangor nearly retook the lead on 55 minutes as an errant pass by Ridd under pressure from Cushnie fell neatly for Mulvenna, but the midfielder's first-time shot had no placement and sailed wide.
Another Cushnie effort from Mulvenna's low cross was blocked – and it looked goalbound – before Bangor had penalty appeals waved away just before the hour when a tussle between O'Mahony and Addis saw a free-kick ruled in favour of the Cliftonville defender.
Another Reds defender, Micheál Glynn, then saw his effort sail the wrong side of Gareth Deane's upright on 64 minutes, while in a like-for-like change up top for Bangor, former Cliftonville Academy player Mick Morgan replaced Ben Cushnie before Rhyss Campbell drew a routine stop from distance by Deane.
On 70 minutes, Bangor retook the lead – and it was a familiar face on the scoresheet who scored in his fourth division in a yellow and blue shirt. The lively O'Mahony swooped the ball in and it was met by the head of Arthurs, who placed his header to perfection past Ridd into the bottom left. The home support went wild and Big Ben took the high fives in his stride.
But Cliftonville almost responded immediately and hit the bar for a third time just two minutes later. New signing Adebayo Fapetu rattled the upright from distance and Owens was alert to head back to Deane and allay the danger.
Liam Burns entered the fray for his competitive debut on 75 minutes, replacing Mulvenna, with Bangor looking to retain their lead until the finish by managing the game as Cliftonville attacked.
But Bangor managed to kill it stone dead as a contest four minutes from time. A free-kick on the left-hand side was won by Morgan, and he finished the job when he powered home a header from Burns' delivery past Ridd into the bottom right – capping a delightful day.
It’s the start of a new season and Bangor’s big top-flight comeback is finally upon us as the Seasiders welcome Cliftonville to Clandeboye Park this Sunday afternoon.
Lee Feeney’s men will look to start their 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership campaign on a high with an opening-day win in a game that will be broadcast live by BBC Northern Ireland.
It’s a tough assignment as Bangor come up against Jim Magilton’s Reds, who won last term’s BetMcLean Cup, only lost out on the Irish Cup in a penalty shoot-out and thereafter qualified for Europe by winning the end-of-season play-offs.
But the Yellows are in buoyant mood on and off the pitch ahead of the club’s first top-tier outing in more than 16 years and will aim to translate that into three points early doors.
It’s Bangor’s first competitive match since April when they toasted clinching the Playr-Fit Championship crown, and the players are looking to carry over that feelgood factor into Sunday’s encounter and beyond.
The game has sold in excess of 1,400 tickets and has some interesting storylines at play, including the prospect of Stephen McGuinness making his second competitive debut for Bangor against the north Belfast side whose Academy ranks he rose through and who swapped Solitude for Clandeboye on a permanent basis during the summer window.
Others including Gareth Deane, Mark Haughey, Harry Lynch, Liam Burns and Englishman Paul Osew also could be in line for their first competitive outings in yellow and blue, and Feeney will look to his squad to produce the goods and leave an early marker for the contests to come.
Cliftonville are no strangers to Bangor in cup competitions over recent years – most recently in November last year when it took a last-minute Ryan Corrigan finish for Magilton’s men to win the sides’ BetMcLean Cup clash in north Down.
While a Premier Intermediate outfit, the Seasiders also took the Reds to a penalty shoot-out after a goalless draw in the County Antrim Shield in September 2022, while they also led 2-0 at Solitude in the same competition a year earlier before the hosts hit back to emerge 4-2 victors on the night.
It’s also a little over 10 years since a single Jude Winchester strike gave Cliftonville Shield glory at the Seasiders’ expense, but Bangor will bid to finish the job this time around and get their Premiership adventure to a flying start.
(Posted: Saturday, 9th August 2025)
Liam Burns says he is keen to test his mettle in the men’s game after joining Bangor following an impressive season at reserve level with Linfield Swifts.
The 19-year-old midfielder captained the Blues’ young guns to NIFL Under-20 Premiership glory last season and believes he is in the right environment to make a splash on the senior stage after joining the Seasiders following a successful trial period.
He initially guested in Bangor’s third pre-season friendly this summer against Moyola Park and has continued to be a part of the fold, scoring in friendly clashes with St James’ Swifts and Comber Rec either side of him agreeing a contract to remain for the campaign ahead.
Ahead of Bangor’s first season of top-flight football since the 2008/09 campaign, Burns is relishing the chance to impress against the best of the best in the Irish League this term.
“I’m delighted to sign here, I came here to make the step up and play men’s football, so that’ll be good for me.
“I’m hoping to establish myself playing first-team football. We’re playing Premiership football, so it’ll be good – it’ll be a good test for us, too.
“The club’s coming up from the Championship into the Premiership with the big boys, so it’ll be good for us.”
Liam Burns
Burns’ performances for Michael Gault’s Swifts earned him Linfield’s Under-20 Player of the Year award last term.
The Belfast man, who has risen all the way through the Linfield youth ranks, has previously worked with Bangor manager Lee Feeney and played throughout pre-season on trial in July before signing on the dotted line last week.
He feels he’s settled in quickly and is chomping at the bit to make his mark in 2025/26.
“I know Feeno from when he was with us (Linfield) in Portugal a couple of years ago and we’ve kept in touch.
“He got in touch over the summer and said ‘do you want to try it out’ and I said ‘yes, no problem’.
“So, I came down on trial and played against Moyola, played centre-half, and then played against Knockbreda as well and I played alright.
“I played against St James’ Swifts as well and scored, I’ve been about the place a few weeks and I love it, it’s been good, I’ve settled in well and I’m delighted to be here.”
Liam Burns
Looking ahead to Bangor’s first Sports Direct Premiership outing of the campaign at home to Cliftonville next Sunday, August 10, Burns is looking forward to the challenge and believes it presents a perfect opportunity for the Seasiders to make an early stamp.
In a game that will be beamed out live by BBC Northern Ireland, Feeney’s charges will look to overcome a tough test early doors against Jim Magilton’s Reds, who reached last term’s Irish Cup Final, won the BetMcLean Cup and qualified for Europe via the end-of-season play-offs.
That’s a mission Burns has backed Bangor to rise to, while he also outlined some of his own personal goals for the year ahead.
“Personally, I’m really looking forward to it, I can’t wait for that first game of the season.
“Cliftonville did well last year, getting into the Irish Cup Final, they won the League Cup as well and they’ve been playing in Europe over the summer.
“We know there’ll be no easy games this year in the Premiership because you’re up playing the best teams, so it’ll be a good test for us.
“The game’s on TV as well, so it’ll be a good chance for us to show what we can do.
“I’m a busy midfielder and I’m looking this year to just do what I can to help us win games – score goals, set up a couple as well and we’ll see how we do throughout the season.”
Liam Burns
(Posted: Wednesday, 6th August 2025)
Bangor are delighted to confirm the signing of Paul Osew, with the versatile Englishman becoming the Seasiders’ seventh signing of the summer transfer window.
The 24-year-old from Wandsworth, London boasts a wealth of English Football League experience, making 77 appearances for AFC Wimbledon of which more than 50 of them came in as high up as League One.
From there, Osew joined League Two Northampton Town in 2023 and thereafter enjoyed spells in the National League at Woking and Welling United – coincidentally the club Bangor boss Lee Feeney’s cousin Warren used to manage, although Osew joined in 2024 after his departure.
Osew, who had a spell on trial for Bangor in pre-season during which he played twice and scored the opening goal in the 3-2 friendly victory over St James’ Swifts at Clandeboye Park on July 22, is a left-sided player by trade who can operate both in a deeper left-back berth or further forward in attack.
He graduated initially through Brentford’s youth Academy but made the step up to senior level with Wimbledon where he made 27 league appearances in the 2021/22 campaign – and that makes for serious EFL pedigree that ensures Bangor supporters will be excited to see what he can do at Clandeboye Park as he forays into the Irish League for the first time.
Welcome to Bangor, Paul!
(Posted: Wednesday, 6th August 2025)
Bangor’s new defender Harry Lynch is raring to go for the start of the 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership campaign and is keen to help the Seasiders push as far up the table as possible.
The highly-rated teenage centre-back has checked in at Clandeboye Park after signing from Glenavon and is eager to get back into the thick of competitive action.
Signing a two-year professional deal, Warrenpoint native Lynch has cast his sights on playing a key role in the heart of Bangor’s defence and in consolidating the newly promoted Yellows’ place back in the top-flight.
“It feels really good to join, just happy to be here and just buzzing to get started and get into playing competitive football when the Premiership starts back again next week.
“In terms of my personal goals, I’m hoping to start as many games as I can and to help Bangor finish as high up the league as possible.”
Harry Lynch
Lynch (19) spent eight years with Glenavon, progressing through the Academy ranks and going on to play 20 times in last season’s Premiership for the Lurgan Blues as he made his first-team breakthrough.
The campaign before last, he enjoyed a highly productive loan spell with Playr-Fit Premier Intermediate League side Dollingstown, while he has also represented Northern Ireland up to Under-19 level – all experience he considers beneficial as he looks to make the next step in his career.
Lynch believes Bangor is just the place to do that and he is aiming to build on the strides he has made to date by impressing for the Seasiders.
“I’ve played basically my whole career there, I was with Glenavon for eight years progressing through the Academy up into the first-team. They’re a great club and I really felt appreciated by the fans.
“I played 20 or so games last year and just felt this was the next step in my career. I had a great education at Glenavon and it has set me up really well.”
Harry Lynch
Lynch played in Friday night’s Spectator Cup clash with Ards as well as in the games against Rathfriland last Saturday and Comber Rec on Tuesday.
Elaborating on what about Bangor convinced the defender that it was the place he wanted to be, Lynch said the club’s growing support base and manager Lee Feeney’s vision were more than enough to win him over.
“Listen, Bangor’s a massive club and all the fans, there’s so many of them, and I’ve only just arrived but they’ve already made me feel at home.
“As soon as Feeno was on the phone and he told me his plans, I thought it was a no-brainer and I knew I just wanted to come here.”
Harry Lynch
Looking ahead to the first game of the season at home to Cliftonville on Sunday, August 10, Lynch – who can also operate at right-back – says it is a good opportunity for the Seasiders to make a strong first impression back in the Premiership.
Jim Magilton’s BetMcLean Cup holders will pose a stern early test, and it is the first of a tricky first six games to open Bangor’s top-flight account.
A trip to Glentoran the following weekend precedes a midweek joust with Crusaders at home, with a visit to Ballymena United coming before successive clashes with Irish Cup winners Dungannon Swifts and two-time Irish League champions Larne at Clandeboye.
But Lynch is in confident mood and says the changing room wouldn’t have it any other way.
“First game of the season, it’ll be a massive game, it’s a big day for everyone and, hopefully, we get off to a good start.
“You’re looking at the teams we’re playing after that as well, it is a hard start, but that’s what you want – that’s why you’re playing in the Premiership, to play these teams, home or away.
“But we’ve got as good a chance as anyone of beating those teams and, hopefully, we can show it, starting next Sunday where we’ll want to start our season off with a win and three points under our belts.”
Bangor rounded off their pre-season agenda with a 3-0 defeat to Ards in the Spectator Cup at Clandeboye Park on Friday night.
Donning their new home kit for the first time, the Seasiders’ final pre-season encounter ended in a defeat to their North Down rivals, who ran out convincing winners.
The friendly clash between the two sides, formerly a regular staple of the pre-season agenda, returned after a three-year hiatus and, just as in 2022, Ards banked a 3-0 win.
Ards drew first blood in the contest through a familiar face to Bangor fans, with the recently departed Jack Reilly converting from Jamie Browne’s squared supply on 28 minutes.
John Bailie’s side doubled their advantage five minutes after the interval; this time Eamon Scannell hitting the target to make it a bigger mountain to climb for Feeney’s charges.
As it were, six minutes later, winger Browne headed home from Darius Roohi’s delivery to put the outcome beyond doubt and ensure Ards took the trophy and the spoils.
Following this duel, Bangor minds quickly turn to the start of the Sports Direct Premiership season when Cliftonville are the visitors to Clandeboye Park on Sunday, August 10 – a game that promises to have a bumper attendance for the Seasiders’ first top-flight match in more than 16 years.
(Posted: Saturday, 2nd August 2025)
The Spectator Cup returns to the agenda after a three-year hiatus when Bangor and Ards face off at Clandeboye Park in the Seasiders’ final pre-season friendly on Friday night.
Lee Feeney’s men will look to sign off their pre-season itinerary with a victory over their North Down rivals ahead of next weekend’s big kick-off across the Irish League.
It’s also a chance for Bangor to continue their unbeaten run against their big rivals having gone undefeated in the seven meetings between the sides during the past couple of years in the Playr-Fit Championship.
A win would lift spirits even further ahead of entertaining Cliftonville at Clandeboye Park on Sunday, August 10 in Bangor’s first Premiership fixture in more than 16 years, coming the day after Ards open their Championship campaign at home to Ballinamallard United.
Bangor claimed a 4-1 victory over Comber Rec in the Seasiders’ penultimate pre-season friendly before the start of the Sports Direct Premiership season.
Mick Morgan led the goalscoring at Park Way with a brace before his fellow teenagers Ross Ferguson and Liam Burns joined him on the scoresheet in the win over the Amateur League Premier Division stalwarts.
It was another strong workout for Lee Feeney’s side, who will now turn their attention to Friday night’s final pre-season game against North Down rivals Ards at Clandeboye Park.
That fixture will be just nine days out from Bangor’s return to Premiership football officially when they face Cliftonville at home on Sunday, August 10, with the excitement amongst the supporters at fever pitch for the new season.
It’s a second friendly double-header in four days for Bangor, with the Seasiders taking a tour of South Down this weekend for a pair of back-to-back encounters.
Firstly, Bangor travel to Jubilee Park where they will take on Moneyslane for a 12 noon kick-off before making the short trip down the road to Iveagh Park where Rathfriland are waiting, with that match beginning at 2.30pm.
Bangor harbour some recent history against Mid-Ulster League outfit Moneyslane, defeating them 3-1 in an Irish Cup Third Round encounter back in November 2019 when Hugh Sinclair was boss and Ben Arthurs, Matty Johnston and Gerard McMullan were on the scoresheet.
Then they will jostle with Premier Intermediate side Rathfriland, one of the top teams in the division having gained promotion from the Amateur League in 2023, which will make it two testing encounters that will continue to build Bangor up for the start of the new Sports Direct Premiership season in two weeks’ time.
(Posted: Friday, 25th July 2025)
Bangor captain Lewis Harrison can’t wait for the start of the new Sports Direct Premiership season – but he adds he’s not treating it any differently than he would any other campaign.
The fan-favourite midfielder is one of the longest-serving players in Lee Feeney’s squad and is eagerly anticipating the televised Sunday showdown at home to Cliftonville on August 10, which will also mark the start of the 26-year-old’s first season playing Premiership football.
However, the Belfast man – who has made more than 150 appearances in five and a half years with the Seasiders – says his mental approach will be no different than normal even though he will be locking horns with the best Northern Ireland football has to offer on a weekly basis.
Harrison feels everything Bangor are doing in pre-season is in preparation to meet the demands of the Premiership from the get-go, and he’s ready to rise to the challenge.
“The target’s the 10th August, you know what I mean? Everything’s building up towards that, the Sunday, we’re looking forward to that first game.
“These pre-season matches will help everyone with their fitness levels and we can get to know the new signings, we gel with them and the quality comes in.
“I’m looking forward to the first game, but even though it’s the Premiership, it’s just like any season for me. I just look at it like it’s another team we can beat and get off to a good start.
“Yes, the quality’s going to be better, but I think with the boys in there, we’ll be alright.
“There’s no point worrying, you need to go in with the head high, get at it from the start.”
Lewis Harrison
The skipper does admit, however, that it will be a different playing field for Bangor from seasons gone by in the Championship, Premier Intermediate and Ballymena League.
Where Feeney’s charges may have been expected to set the pace at points in the past, facing up to big hitters such as defending champions Linfield – whose Academy Harrison graduated through – Glentoran, Cliftonville, Larne, Crusaders and Coleraine will pose fresh challenges.
Having said that, the influential Harrison believes the Yellows have the quality in the dressing room to cope with what’s thrown at them and also sounded a message that, whatever tricky days may be on the horizon, positivity will be key around the club both on and off the pitch.
“Everyone’s excited for it, we can’t wait. But we can’t look at it from the negative point of view where we’re looking at teams around us like they are bigger and stronger or if we do have a bad day at the office.
“We have to be positive in everything we do. It’s going to be different from last year where teams were maybe looking at us as a scalp.
“We’re going to be going into matches now and setting up game-plans against teams where they’ll maybe look to attack us, but with the quality we have here, I think we’ll be alright.
“There’s a few new faces as well, but Feeno’s just trying to keep the changing room as good as he can; not too many new faces because that can maybe upset it sometimes, there’s a lot of familiar faces there and that’s good.”
Lewis Harrison
Harrison was speaking after a Bangor XI claimed a 3-2 victory over St James’ Swifts in their latest friendly duel at Clandeboye Park, with Ben Arthurs’ finish half an hour in sandwiched by goals from a couple of trialists.
Another Bangor side led by assistant manager John Douglas also secured an 8-0 win over Crewe United at Crewe Park. Matthew Ferguson, Ben Cushnie and Mick Morgan all netted twice, Stephen McGuinness also netted and an own goal accounted for the other strike.
Looking back on the contest with St James’, Harrison – who is recovering from a minor knee injury – says it was another good collective workout against the Ballymena League outfit.
“We started well, we got two goals, we were 2-0 up and then their goal just before half-time sort of killed our momentum a bit.
“But the three goals we scored were brilliant, they were brilliant moves; Big Ben and then the two trialists, it was good to see them getting goals and they looked good, to be fair.
“So, it’s good to get minutes in the legs.
“My knee’s playing up so I’m only coming back myself, getting my minutes up at the minute; hopefully, I’ll get 60 on Saturday here and then I’ll build it from there.”
Lewis Harrison
(Posted: Friday, 25th July 2025)
We are delighted to announce the signing of 19 year old midfielder Liam Burns.
Joining from Linfield where he captained the league winning Swifts side last season, Burns has guested for the Seasiders during pre-season and scored our third goal in Tuesday night’s victory over St James Swifts.
Welcome to Clandeboye Park
(Posted: Thursday, 24th July 2025)
We are delighted to announce the signing of Harry Lynch.
Lynch, a Northern Ireland U19 International, joins the Seasiders from Glenavon on a two year contract for an undisclosed fee.
Having made his Glenavon debut in 2021, the 19 year old defender spent a season on loan with Dollingstown before making 20 appearances in last season’s Sports Direct Premiership.
Welcome to Clandeboye Park.
(Posted: Thursday, 24th July 2025)
Gifted midfielder Ross Ferguson is delighted to be back with his home town club and insists he is intent on making a splash at first-team level for Bangor this coming season.
The 18-year-old is back in the yellow and blue shirt having spent the last two years in Larne’s Academy ranks, availing of their scholarship programme and rising through the ranks to be in and around the first-team fold.
Prior to that, Ferguson was part of the Bangor youth set-up from the age of 13 and grew to become a mainstay in the Under-20s by the time he was 16.
He then won the prestigious Harry Cavan Cup with Larne, who he joined in 2023, as well as the NIFL U18 Academy League, while he was also handed his first-team debut by Tiernan Lynch in October last year when he was named in the starting line-up for a BetMcLean Cup clash with Harland and Wolff Welders.
Ferguson also featured in a Larne squad that travelled to Hong Kong to play in the Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens Tournament in May, and he’s eager to build on those experiences and push on at first-team level with Bangor.
"I'm glad to be back, I’m back at my home town club and, hopefully, I’ll push to try and get into the first-team this season and get some appearances under my belt.
"It’s been good, it’s been a tough start to pre-season but we’re getting games, I think it’s better getting matches and minutes.
"The team's been able to find our way now – we’re still figuring it out obviously, but we’re getting there.
"It was a good two years (at Larne), it was tough as well but we had good team, we won a couple of trophies and then obviously had a trip to Hong Kong this summer.
"We played against a lot of Premier League teams, which was an unbelievable experience. It was different from what I’m used to, but I really enjoyed it.
"Now I’m back to what I’m used to, Hong Kong was mental but back here, it’ll be tough as well with playing in the Premiership, so I want to help us show people what we can do.
"We're hoping to make a name, push as much as we can and we think we can do well.”
Ross Ferguson
Ferguson also takes pride in the fact that he has come through the Seasiders’ Academy, with his performances for Bangor Reserves initially bringing him to first-team boss Lee Feeney’s attention in the 2022/23 campaign.
The Reserves will now enter the Premiership Development League as well as intermediate cups, facing Brantwood at Skegoneill Avenue in the first round of the Steel and Sons Cup on Saturday, August 2.
From that perspective, technically gifted midfielder Ferguson believes everyone has a part to play in pushing each other to be the best they can be.
"I've come through the Academy here and Bangor’s obviously been a big part of my career.
"The Academy will be in the Premiership league as well, hopefully the club can make a push there and push the players in the first-team as well.
"If everyone’s pushing each other to be better, that’s exactly what you want.
"I can’t wait until that first game – it’s a big game as well, a home game and, hopefully, we get off to a good start.”
Ross Ferguson
(Posted: Thursday, 24th July 2025)
Bangor kept their pre-season preparations ticking over on Tuesday night with a 3-2 victory over Ballymena League side St James' Swifts at Clandeboye Park on Tuesday night.
Bangor took the lead on seven minutes. A neat piece of play was worked up the pitch and a neat backheel flick by Ross Ferguson teed up a trialist to slot home, controlling and then placing into the bottom left corner.
The Seasiders doubled the advantage half an hour in, with Ben Arthurs picking up the ball on the right side of the area and lacing on at goal, finding the bottom left corner to extend the lead.
St James' did, however, pull one back just a minute before the interval when St James' worked up the pitch, with a shot that was curled off the inside of the post that made it 2-1.
Then on 55 minutes, St James' got back on level terms. Jude Winchester – who scored the winner in a County Antrim Shield Final against Bangor for Cliftonville in 2015 – raced in behind and coolly finished for the visitors' equaliser.
On 78 minutes, another trialist restored Bangor's lead when he took a ball out of the air and controlled it astutely, nipping in ahead of the goalkeeper and tapping into an open net to restore the advantage at 3-2 to Lee Feeney's side.
Meanwhile, the other Bangor XI in action secured an 8-0 victory over Crewe United at Crewe Park.
Matthew Ferguson, Ben Cushnie and Mick Morgan all hit doubles in a clinical display, with Stephen McGuinness also on the scoresheet and an own goal accounting for the other strike against the Mid Ulster League outfit.
It counts as two more good workouts for the Bangor contingent, and we extend our best wishes to both St James' Swifts and Crewe United for the season ahead.
(Posted: Tuesday, 22nd July 2025)
Bangor continued their pre-season preparations on Saturday afternoon with a 1-1 draw away to Annagh United.
The top two in last season’s Playr-Fit Championship faced off at the BMG Arena, with Ciaran McGurgan’s Annagh taking the lead before Lee Feeney’s Seasiders found a leveller through Ben Arthurs to ensure the spoils were shared.
The workout comes just three weeks out from the start of Bangor’s Sports Direct Premiership campaign at home to Cliftonville on Sunday, August 10, with the players continuing to sharpen up in pre-season in preparation for the big kick-off at Clandeboye Park which will also be broadcast by BBC Northern Ireland.
Next up, though, is a tasty double-header on Tuesday, July 22 with two Seasiders XIs facing off against Crewe United at Crewe Park (7pm) and St James’ Swifts at home (7.45pm).
(Posted: Sunday, 20th July 2025)
Tuesday night's match against Newington ended up all sqaure at 1-1 with Newington drawing level in the 90th minute. Tiarnan Mulvenna was on target for Bangor in the first half.
(Posted: Wednesday, 16th July 2025)
Following a Bangor FC Supporters Information Event, Chairman Graham Bailie explains how the preparations are continuing on and off the pitch for an exciting Premiership season ahead.
Our progression as a club over the past eight seasons has been outstanding. The jump from Ballymena League to a strong NIFL Championship team took a remarkable amount of work from our players, the board, supporters and our volunteers. But the jump from Championship into the Premiership will be our greatest challenge yet. We have gone from one of the strongest teams in each league, with one of the biggest budgets, to the smallest.
Our manager Lee Feeney has been investing wisely over the summer, blending a combination of younger players and experienced leaders, with a winning mentally. They will be supported by Marc Wilson’s academy and our new reserve team manager Davy Dorrian. Marc and Davy are two proud Bangor men with vast football experience, who are laying the groundwork for future homegrown talent. Bringing through local players won’t happen overnight, but a significant start has been made.
We recognise that this coming season will be a different type of campaign for the club. It will test us in many ways and will provide significant challenges every week. We will get some bloody noses and things may not work immediately on and off the pitch, as we acclimatise to our new surroundings in the Premiership. But one thing I know for sure is that to succeed in this league, we all need to work together, stay united, and have each other’s backs.
Our recent success has only been possible because of our supporters, volunteers, friends and support from local businesses. We are a family, and we are very lucky at Bangor to have people around that care so much about the club. Your passion, time, and belief have brought us this far — and I believe it will carry us forward.
Moving onto next season, supporters have been wondering how they can help? From stewarding, working in the turnstiles, to simply buying a season ticket (SEASON TICKETS), visiting the social club on match days — every positive action helps us grow stronger. Even the smallest gesture can make a big difference. If you want to volunteer or have any questions, please just speak to any board member or Bangor official.
The club has come a long way in a very short period of time, but the journey is far from over. We are all determined, driven and ambitious and, I believe, with unity and hard work we can not only survive in the Premiership — we can thrive.
(Posted: Monday, 14th July 2025)
(Posted: Monday, 14th July 2025)
Bangor kept pre-season preparations ticking over on Tuesday night after winning an eight-goal thriller against Knockbreda in the Castlereagh Hills.
The Seasiders headed to Breda Park on the back of overcoming Knockbreda’s fellow Premier Intermediate side Moyola Park 2-0 at Mill Meadow on Saturday and it was goals galore, with the away side coming out on top 5-3.
Ben Cushnie and Ben Arthurs both hit braces in the victory, while there was also a goal for a trialist in east Belfast as Lee Feeney’s side continue to ramp up their preparations for the start of the new Sports Direct Premiership campaign, which kicks off in less than five weeks.
Next up in Bangor’s pre-season itinerary is a home game against Playr-Fit Championship side Newington on Tuesday, July 15. That game at Clandeboye Park has a 7.45pm kick-off.
(Posted: Tuesday, 8th July 2025)
Bangor’s pre-season preparations continue on Tuesday night with a short trip to Breda Park to face Knockbreda.
The Seasiders are bound for the Castlereagh Hills following on from Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Moyola Park to take on fellow Premier Intermediate League opposition.
Marking the fourth game of Bangor’s pre-season itinerary and first midweek contest, Breda are another familiar opponent in recent years with the sides facing off on three occasions in the Playr-Fit Championship in the 2023/24 campaign.
Before that, the Yellows locked horns with the east Belfast side in a promotion/relegation play-off back in May 2022 which saw Knockbreda emerge 4-2 winners over Lee Feeney’s charges on aggregate and preserve their second-tier place.
Knockbreda also formed part of the Seasiders’ pre-season schedule ahead of last year’s title-winning Championship campaign and Colin McIlwrath’s side do so again as Bangor look to enjoy a successful return to Premiership football next term.
There are also several players in the Breda panel with past Bangor connections, including Ashton McDermott, Ross Murphy, Curtis Kenny, Ruairi Wright and Louis Blackstock.
It promises to be another good workout for both sides, with the Seasiders looking to put themselves in the best possible shape for their big Sports Direct Premiership kick-off on August 9 against Cliftonville at Clandeboye Park.
(Posted: Monday, 7th July 2025)
The Seasiders came away from Mill Meadow with a 2-0 win over Moyola Park this afternoon. Ben Walker and Ben Cushnie were on target for the Seasiders.
Bangor continue their pre-season preparations this Saturday afternoon with a trip to Mill Meadow to face Premier Intermediate outfit Moyola Park.
Symbolic for being the Seasiders’ first trip to the Castledawson venue in over four years, it promises to be another good workout against a familiar opponent across the three seasons Bangor spent in the PIL between 2019 and 2023.
Lee Feeney’s side last faced Moyola competitively in the Premier Intermediate post-split in April 2023 when Adam Neale and Ben Arthurs strikes sandwiched an own goal during a 3-1 victory at Clandeboye Park.
That was the second of back-to-back battles with The Park, with Neale and Jordan Hughes on target in the last game of the pre-split in a 2-0 victory at Tobermore’s Fortwilliam Park.
The last time Bangor played at Mill Meadow, a Mark Cooling penalty and a late Hughes finish bagged a 2-1 triumph in March 2021 against one of Ireland’s oldest football clubs who also won the first-ever edition of the Irish Cup 144 years ago – ironically defeating the Yellows’ Sports Direct Premiership opening-day opponents Cliftonville 1-0 in the 1881 decider.
Now managed by recent Coleraine Under-20s boss Marty Smith, who succeeded former Derry City, Kilmarnock and Northern Ireland Women’s supremo Kenny Shiels over the summer, Moyola are set to pose a stiff challenge for Feeney’s side as the build-up to the season’s big kick-off steps up.
(Posted: Friday, 4th July 2025)
Stephen McGuinness enjoyed being part of a winning team first time round at Bangor – and having signed permanently, he wants that vein to continue in the Sports Direct Premiership.
The left-sided defender spent the first half of last campaign on loan from Cliftonville and has now signed a contract to stay at Clandeboye Park for good ahead of the 2025/26 season.
The 21-year-old impressed during his 18 appearances before he was recalled by the Reds in January and continued to play regularly under Jim Magilton in the second half of last term.
Now McGuinness is back, and he’s buzzing to help Bangor make further strides in only the club’s second top-flight season in 29 years by applying the same winning mentality that he showed during his first stint in North Down.
“Yeah, I’m happy to be here, I’m buzzing to be back. I loved coming here on loan whenever I first came in.
“I know it was only until January but it was brilliant, especially playing week in, week out and winning as well, so I can’t complain.
“Fingers crossed it continues this year. Obviously, it’s going to be tough playing Premiership football, so we just need to work hard with what we’re doing and try and do the same as what we done last year – just get as many wins as possible.”
Stephen McGuinness
McGuinness savoured his return to Cliftonville at the turn of the year and caught the eye with three goals in 12 appearances for the Solitude outfit.
He was part of a side that won the BetMcLean Cup, reached the Irish Cup Final and qualified for Europe via the end-of-season play-offs.
The Glengormley native says he bounced off the Reds’ top performers and is keen to apply what he learned from them back in the yellow and blue of Bangor, as a quick reunion with his former employers beckons at Clandeboye Park on the opening day.
“Yeah, definitely – the experience of being in that team as well, obviously that’s a quality team to be a part of with some really good players and we managed to win a trophy and qualify for Europe.
“You’re learning week in, week out off quality players so, hopefully, I can bring what I’ve learnt from them in here as well.
“I’ve a quick reunion, first game of the season! Tough one, tough game to start with but I’m looking forward to it, absolutely.”
Stephen McGuinness
McGuinness, who previously enjoyed loan stints with Annagh United and Queen’s University before arriving at Bangor last year, says the positive relationships he built up with his team-mates made it a no-brainer to seal a permanent switch this summer.
The defender scored once – against Newry City in November in the first-ever Bangor home game to be played on a Sunday – and drew acclaim from boss Lee Feeney for his consistent performances, and McGuinness was all too glad to reunite with the Kilkeel supremo when the opportunity arose.
“That’s a big reason why I wanted to come back, just whenever I came in, the lads welcomed me really well.
“Obviously when I knew Feeno was interested in getting me back, it was a no-brainer for me.
“I know everyone here, I was comfortable during my time here on loan, so I can come straight back in and get to work, hopefully.”
Stephen McGuinness
On what he hopes to achieve this year, McGuinness believes top-flight survival for Bangor is priority No.1, while he also wants to make Clandeboye Park as tough a venue for opposition teams to come to as possible.
He’s also keen to build up his own game-time and help the Yellows push as far up the league standings as they can.
“The main goal is to stay up first and foremost and try and make here, our home pitch, just really hard to come to, try and get as many wins, points, just to make sure we do well.
“On an individual level, most important for me is to play week in, week out and push up the league as far as we can.”
Stephen McGuinness
(Posted: Thursday, 3rd July 2025)
Bangor’s new goalkeeper Gareth Deane is excited to make a big impact between the sticks in the upcoming Sports Direct Premiership campaign.
The 31-year-old has signed on the dotted line at Clandeboye Park following an 18-month stint at Glenavon that was preceded by successful spells with Linfield and Coleraine.
Deane says he is looking forward to regular game-time and playing an important role in helping the Seasiders enjoy a strong return to the Premiership following 16 years away.
Lee Feeney previously got in touch with the Lisburn man to discuss a potential move in January when Deane decided then to stay with the Lurgan Blues and fight for his place.
But when the Bangor boss got back in touch in the summer, the pieces fell into place and the two-time Irish League champion spoke of his delight at making the move to North Down.
“It was an easy transition to make. I spoke to Lee in January, I thought it was maybe a possibility to come but I decided to stay and try and play Premiership football.
“When he rang me in the summer there and guaranteed I’d be playing every week, it was too hard to turn down, to be honest.
“He’s put a lot of faith in me from January and having a chat and a conversation, and he rang me in the summer and I knew it was going to be a pretty easy transition into the club.
“Game-time’s important to me – at my age now, 31, I’m not coming towards the end of my career just yet but I want to play as much football as I can.
“I’ve played a lot of football over the last six seasons, and towards the last six months at Glenavon there, I was maybe starved of football and I got that hunger back after a few months of sitting in the stands.
“Obviously when Lee rang and said you’re going to come in and be No.1 and play every week, it was too hard to turn down.”
Deane is a wise head in the dressing room and is keen to set high standards on and off the pitch that he believes will stand Bangor in good stead for the forthcoming top-flight season.
The one-time Queen’s Park Rangers Academy stopper is eagerly anticipating the Seasiders’ opening fixture at home to Cliftonville on August 9 and hopes to make a positive impression in front of a bumper crowd.
“I think I add a bit of experience into a young changing room, I think that can go a long way.
“There’s a big hunger in that changing room at the minute, and obviously having a home tie in the first game of the season, it’s a big boost and I think the ground will be packed out.
“It’ll be an exciting day and, hopefully, we can get the three points and get the season going.
“It’s up to me to do my job on a Saturday and set good standards in training, I think it’s going to go a long way.
“It’s going to be a very exciting season – it’s a new challenge for me too maybe, coming into a team that’s just been promoted.
“I sat down with my friends and my family, had a good conversation about it and everyone’s very excited about it and we’ll see how we get on.”
Having spent virtually his whole career playing Premiership football as well as Champions, Europa and Conference League qualifiers during his time with the Blues and Bannsiders, Deane is a voice of authority on what it takes to be competitive at the highest level of football in Northern Ireland.
And based on his first impressions of the squad, he reckons that environment will bring the best out of this group of players and feed off the excitement brewing in the local community.
“I think the last couple of seasons, the league’s grew stronger and stronger and for the better, I think.
“There’s no easy game in the Premiership and you see the likes of last season where Dungannon finished and the run they went on to win the Irish Cup.
“Yeah, it’s an exciting time to be involved in the league, and Bangor are coming into the league after so many years out of it – it’s a massive boost for the town and the fans and everyone associated with Bangor, and it’s exciting for the players, too.
“There’s a few boys in there who haven’t experienced Premiership football yet and I think they’ll thrive on it.
“With the experience in the changing room with the likes of myself, Robbie Garrett and a few others who’ve played at the highest level, especially at a massive club like Linfield, I think if you can add that with the youth and the legs in there, I think we’ll do okay.
“It’s a great group. I came in, straight away I know a few of the boys; Ben Cushnie, Caomhan McGuinness and I obviously know Mark Haughey, too, we’re travelling up from Lisburn.
“When you get here, there’s a lot of friendly faces and familiar faces from playing against boys in the league and it’s so far, so good.
“We’ll keep building in pre-season, the boys are doing a good bit of running so I’m sure we’ll be fit and raring to go come the season starting.”
Deane smiles when he talks about 34-year-old Haughey, a team-mate of his for several years at both Linfield and Glenavon.
The centre-back won four titles and a pair of Irish Cups at Windsor Park and played 190 times across two stints at Mourneview Park – and Deane is in no doubt about how good he can be.
“What a player. Mark, a bit like myself, he’s played at the highest level and you’re adding massive experience to the changing room.
“If you keep Mark Haughey fit, there’s not many better centre-halves in the league and I know him and the management have had good conversations about what they’re going to do.
“As I say, adding that experience and that quality into the changing room, it’s unbelievable.”
Bangor kept pre-season preparations ticking over on Saturday afternoon with a 2-1 win against Ards Rangers at Drome Park.
Bangor drew first blood 16 minutes in as a slick interchange fed Matthew Ferguson in on goal where a familiar face in James Taylor was situated, and he picked out the bottom right corner with a cool finish having got in behind and one-on-one.
Gareth Deane featured for the first time in between the Seasiders sticks and had to be on his guard during the early knockings of the contest, while captain Lewis Harrison and Ben Cushnie – starting alongside Ferguson – also saw their first pieces of pre-season action during the first half here.
Cushnie looked to nip in ahead of Taylor to add a second but the ball was cleared, but the reprieve didn't last for Ards Rangers with returning midfielder Ross Ferguson converting low and first-time into the bottom left from Caomhan McGuinness' delectable low cross from the right just before the half-hour.
Ards Rangers pulled one back five minutes before half-time with a neat finish into the top right corner past Deane that was reflective of a competitive friendly encounter between the sides, with 2-1 to Bangor the scoreline at the interval and a plane flying low into the adjacent airfield in a late off-pitch highlight.
In the second period, the raft of half-time adjustments made by assistant manager John Douglas, who was taking charge of proceedings in Lee Feeney's place, included last season's top goalscorer Ben Arthurs coming on for his first unofficial minutes of the season and a debut for new signing Mark Haughey.
There were no further goals following the interval and it was another good workout for the Yellows contingent in the build-up to the Sports Direct Premiership season opener against Cliftonville on August 9, with the excitement continuing to build.
Bangor are next in pre-season action with a trip to Mill Meadow to face Moyola Park next Saturday, July 5. Kick-off in Castledawson is at 2pm.
(Posted: Sunday, 29th June 2025)
Bangor continue pre-season preparations on Saturday afternoon with a short trip to Drome Park to face Ards Rangers.
The Seasiders’ second game of their pre-season itinerary takes place against the respected NAFL Premier Division side who are now under the management of former Rosemount Rec and Dundonald manager Lee Cathcart.
Since Bangor’s return to action against Welsh side Llandudno last Saturday, much has been on the table for supporters to digest.
On Monday, it was revealed that the Yellows will kickstart their return to the top-flight after a 16-year hiatus with a home game against Cliftonville on August 9, while on Thursday, first-team manager Lee Feeney put pen to paper on a new three-year contract that commits his future to Clandeboye Park until 2028.
With a Supporters Information Event having taken place on Thursday night where Feeney and the Board of Directors outlined preparations on and off the pitch ahead of the new season starting in earnest, spirits are high around the club and the players will continue to build match sharpness ahead of that encounter with the Reds and an eagerly anticipated return to the top table of Northern Ireland football.
With Kyle Owens and Tom Mathieson finding the net with stunning strikes in last week’s 4-2 defeat to Llandudno at a sunny and boiling hot Clandeboye Park, Feeney’s charges are set to step things up as pre-season rolls on.
That continues with this weekend’s encounter with Ards Rangers, which has a 2pm kick-off.
(Posted: Thursday, 26th June 2025)
Bangor FC are pleased to confirm the arrival of respected central defender Mark Haughey as the club's fourth signing of the summer window.
The Newry native arrives at Clandeboye Park after departing Glenavon where he gave a decade's service at senior level across two separate stints while also spending a hugely decorated eight-year spell with Linfield in between.
The 34-year-old is a four-time Irish League champion and a two-time Irish Cup winner from his time with the Blues and established himself as one of Northern Ireland football's leading centre-backs, and he now links up with Lee Feeney at Clandeboye Park on the same day the Bangor boss signed a new three-year contract.
Boasting European pedigree having played in Champions League and Europa League qualifiers, the defender has also shown an eye for goal over the years and will aim to lend some of that to the Yellows in the 2025/26 Sports Direct Premiership.
Haughey drew the curtain on his second spell at Glenavon, whose Academy he first came through as a 14-year-old, at the end of last campaign having made 190 appearances across his two stints, netting 12 goals and providing six assists.
In between, he joined Linfield in 2013 and went on to enjoy a silverware-laden eight-year spell at Windsor Park before returning to the Lurgan Blues once again in 2021.
His testimonial clash, which features both of his former clubs, takes place at Mourneview Park on July 26 prior to making his competitive debut with his new yellow and blue outfit, with the Bangor fans looking forward to welcoming Haughey to Clandeboye Park in the meantime during the pre-season schedule.
Welcome to Bangor, Mark!
(Posted: Thursday, 26th June 2025)
Shareholders are invited to attend the Bangor Football & Athletic Club Annual General Meeting on Thursday 17th July 2025 in Bangor Social Club, 1a Hawthorne Court, Clandeboye Road at 7:30pm.
Any correspondence relating to the A.G.M. should be addressed to the Company Secretary and sent by email to company.secretary@bangorfc.com or in writing to Clandeboye Park, 1a Hawthorne Court, Bangor, County Down, BT20 3HR
(Posted: Thursday, 26th June 2025)
Bangor FC manager Lee Feeney has signed a new contract that will keep him at Clandeboye Park until the summer of 2028.
Feeney, who first took the reins at Bangor in June 2020, has overseen a remarkable period of progress for the Seasiders. Under his leadership, the club recently secured promotion to the Sports Direct Premiership, marking a return to Northern Ireland’s top-flight for the first time since 2009.
Bangor FC Manager Lee Feeney said: "It's an honour to manage this club and I’m delighted to be continuing the journey with Bangor. The support from the board, players, and supporters has been incredible, and I’m excited about what we can achieve together in the Premiership.
"As a management team, we are driven to keep progressing and improving and we are never complacent. However, we approach the season with realism. We recognise that this will be a different type of campaign for the club. A season that will provide significant challenges every week, and one where we will often be seen as the underdog.
"Since winning the Championship, my managementteam and I have been focused on preparing for this season. I have full confidence in my players and staff, and I’m certain we have what it takes to compete against every team in the league."";
Bangor FC Chairman Graham Bailie said: "I'm delighted that Lee has signed a new three-year deal at Bangor. This is a key moment for the club as we enter the Premiership, and one I know our supporters will be excited about.
"Lee continues to be a great fit for the direction weare heading. He is a fantastic man-manager who brings out the best in the players. His passion, professionalism, and belief in what we are building at Bangor are exactly what we need to take the next step."
Graham continued: "What stands out most is Lee’scommitment—not just to the team, but to the Bangor FC community. He wants to bring lasting success to the club and that ambition is something we all share."As we prepare for the start of the season in the Premiership, there is a real buzz around the club and the city. With Lee at the helm, we’ve got every reason to look forward to an exciting season ahead."
(Posted: Thursday, 26th June 2025)
PLEASE NOTE: All fixtures are subject to change due to broadcast selections and clubs’ participation in European competitions.
Bangor will kickstart the new Sports Direct Premiership campaign by welcoming Cliftonville to Clandeboye Park on Saturday, August 9.
Lee Feeney's men entertain Jim Magilton's BetMcLean Cup holders in the club's first top-flight match in over 16 years, the first of five matches in August for the Seasiders.
A trip to The BetMcLean Oval to take fellow Belfast giant Glentoran comes the following weekend before a midweek encounter at home to Crusaders on Tuesday, August 19 makes it three clashes in a row against capital outfits for the Yellows.
After that, it's a visit to the Warden Street Showgrounds where Ballymena United await before a home match against Irish Cup champions Dungannon Swifts rounds off a tricky August for Feeney's charges.
A historic first top flight league match in over 30 years against Larne kickstarts September when the two-time Irish League champions visit Clandeboye Park, while a Friday night trip to Portadown on Friday, September 19 also something to look forward to.
October commences with the visit of Ruaidhri Higgins' Coleraine, while on November 22, a bumper crowd will be expected when David Healy's reigning Premiership champions Linfield come to Clandeboye Park.
Boxing Day sees Bangor travel to Co Tyrone to face Dungannon, with the year ending back on home soil when Ballymena come to town before a mouth-watering trip to Windsor Park to oppose Linfield on January 3 gets 2026 off to a flyer.
Bangor's final post-split outing is another trip to Stangmore Park to play Rodney McAree's Dungannon on Friday, March 20, with the post-split fixtures being confirmed afterwards on a start date of March 28, the following weekend.
The Bangor fans' appetites for competitive football are well and truly whetted and the build-up to that first outing against the Reds starts in earnest now.
Bangor kicked off pre-season with a 4-2 defeat to Welsh visitors Llandudno at a boiling Clandeboye Park on Saturday.
The Seasiders' first pre-season outing saw them welcome the Cymru North outfit and their travelling fans to North Down for an entertaining contest under the sun.
Lee Feeney spread minutes across senior players and Academy products alike, with Kyle Owens and Tom Mathieson delivering stunning strikes that contributed to the spectacle from the home end.
A sizeable home support flocked to Clandeboye for the occasion, excited as the team builds up to the start of the Sports Direct Premiership season in the second week of August.
It took some time for the goalscoring to get under way, but it was the away side who broke the deadlock just before half-time when a slick passing move resulted in a well-worked shot into the net.
Llandudno doubled their lead at the start of the second period before an unfortunate ricochet played a part in making it a three-goal lead.
After that, centre-back Owens stole the show when he spotted the away goalkeeper off his line and let fly from what must've been 70 yards out, spectacularly lobbing the Llandudno stopper and finding the back of the net to unofficially open Bangor's goal account for the season in remarkable style.
A rifled finish after a corner was only half-cleared restored Llandudno's three-goal cushion, but Mathieson turned on the style once again for Bangor's second goal of the day, directing an outside-of-the-boot volley from distance beyond the visiting goalkeeper to make it 4-2.
That was how it finished when the referee signalled for full-time, with all at Bangor naturally wishing Llandudno well for their forthcoming league campaign.
The Yellows are next in friendly action on Saturday, June 28 when they make the short trip to Drome Park to face Ards Rangers for a 2pm kick-off.
Kyle Owens was satisfied with a good workout at a boiling hot Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon as Bangor kickstarted their pre-season agenda with a 4-2 defeat to Welsh outfit Llandudno.
The towering centre-back says the priority throughout pre-season is to get minutes in legs as Lee Feeney’s men build up to their long-awaited Premiership return in August.
The Seasiders shook off some rust in the weekend friendly with the Cymru North outfit, who moved into a three-goal lead before Owens stole the show with a stunning effort from all of 70 yards that nestled in the back of the net midway through the second half to make it 3-1.
Although Llandudno restored their three-goal cushion shortly after, Tom Mathieson similarly turned on the style with a dipping outside-of-the-boot volley from outside the box, ensuring the fans weren’t sold short on entertainment.
The game saw Stephen McGuinness and Ross Ferguson feature for the first time since they completed their Clandeboye returns, with minutes spread across senior players, youngsters from the Academy and trialists on the day.
And 32-year-old defender Owens was glad to get back at it once again eight weeks on from celebrating Bangor’s Playr-Fit Championship title success.
“It’s good to be back, we had a mixture of young players and older players, players that have been here and a few new players.
“The result’s not important to us, we were out to get 45 minutes’ match fitness each and that’s all that really mattered.
“Everyone’s off the pitch, no injuries, so it was a good workout for us all things considered.
“We’ll just use pre-season to build up to the start of the season and I think we’ll need everyone.
“It’s a big ask this year playing against all the top teams in the country and that’s what you play football for. I think we’ll do alright, we’ll give it a good crack anyway.”
Kyle Owens
Elaborating on his blockbuster effort, Owens insists he always planned to have a go when he got the opportunity to let fly.
The former H&W Welders centre-back has a taste for goals having struck five of them in last term’s title glory and has warned Premiership goalkeepers he will always be inclined to have a go if he gets a good look from range.
“I was saying to Liam Hassin about five minutes into it, I said ‘look where the keeper’s standing’ and if you get a chance, hit it.
“And it just happened to be I got that chance, the space broke and it just looped over the keeper and in.
“And then I tried it again, I actually thought it was going in too!
“If I see a keeper off his line, 100 per cent you have a go – he was standing near his 18-yard line today so, obviously, you have to hit it right and get it on target, but I’ll certainly have a go if I get a chance to.”
For Owens, it will be a return to Premiership football for the first time since before the Covid-19 pandemic.
Having been a team-mate of his brother and Crusaders’ all-time record goalscorer Jordan at Seaview as well as helping Ballymena United win the BetMcLean League Cup during his time at the Warden Street Showgrounds, the Belfast man is eager to grace that stage again and is aware of the challenges that lie ahead for Bangor.
He also believes there is the fighting spirit within Feeney’s dressing room to rise to the task and quickly adapt to life back in the top-flight.
“Yes, I do (have experience at Premiership level). Lucky enough, I’ve played in it for a couple of years and it doesn’t get any easier.
“You see the teams strengthen year in, year out, but we’re a close-knit changing room.
“We fight for each other and that’s what you need in this league, and I think we’ll be alright – we’ll go out and work our socks off every week and push on as we go.
Owens has also rallied Bangor to set the bar high and push as far up the Premiership as they can throughout 2025/26.
With the release of the top-flight fixture schedule imminent, excitement is palpable in the stands and the Belfast native believes the players can deliver on that in the new campaign.
Having made 42 appearances and topped the club’s minutes played rankings on 3,661 in his first year at Bangor following his arrival from the Welders last summer, Owens is eager to play an important role once again and help the Seagulls fulfil their ambitions.
“I agree, absolutely (there’s cause for optimism). You’ve experience, you’ve youth, quality, you’ve everything.
“We’re all fighting for each other every week – as long as you’re not getting beat fours and fives every week, but I don’t see that happening, I think we’ve a very, very good changing room that will pick up results.
“Obviously Lee’s got new additions coming and they’ll help us as well and that’s just it, next year, give it a big push.
“It’s my second season at the club and I’ll be looking to push on individually as well and try to help us hopefully get into the top six, but like I say, it’ll be a big ask.
“But listen, we need to believe we can and aim high whenever we go into training and the matches, so if we have that outlook that we can push far up the league, we’ll be fine.”
Kyle Owens
(Posted: Sunday, 22nd June 2025)
Bangor FC are delighted to confirm that veteran midfielder Robbie Garrett has signed on to remain at Clandeboye Park for the 2025/26 season.
The five-times-capped Northern Ireland international will stay on for a second campaign in yellow and blue having helped the Seasiders to promotion as Playr-Fit Championship title winners last term.
The former Linfield, Portadown and Glenavon man – who celebrated his 37th birthday in May – linked up with Lee Feeney’s panel after his deal with the Lurgan Blues expired last summer and proved influential as he made 36 appearances during a victorious second-tier crusade in 2024/25, scoring twice along the way.
Boasting five Irish League crowns and a trio of Irish Cups to his name, retaining Garrett’s top-flight experience represents a major coup for Bangor with the Yellows ready to return to the Premiership for the first time in 16 years.
The Stoke City Academy graduate, who also enjoyed a brief loan stint with Canadian outfit FC Edmonton from the Blues 12 years ago, also chipped in with an assist across the 2785 minutes he played last term and stood out for his combative nature in midfield as well as quality on the ball.
Now Garrett will be back in the Sports Direct Premiership once again and will aim to play his part in delivering another successful season at Clandeboye Park in the new season.
(Posted: Friday, 20th June 2025)
Lee Feeney admits neither he nor his Bangor players can wait to get back into the thick of it again ahead of the Seasiders’ first pre-season match against Llandudno this Saturday.
The Welsh side visit Clandeboye Park in the curtain-raiser for Bangor’s pre-season agenda at the weekend, and home boss Feeney says his charges are all ready to take the pitch as they build up to the start of next season’s Sports Direct Premiership.
While the Kilkeel supremo isn’t expecting his men to be firing on all cylinders from the get-go, he feels Llandudno – of the Cymru North, the Welsh second-tier, and who competed in the Europa League qualifiers as recently as nine years ago – will pose a tricky test first up for his side and is an exciting encounter to whet the appetite of Bangor supporters once again.
“I can’t wait to get back into playing games – it feels like pre-season gets earlier every year, but I can’t wait and I’ve spoken to the players and I can see they are really hungry for it too.
“The players will come back into training and they’ll be a little bit rusty with them not having played for a couple of months, but we’ll shake off the rust and get them going again with lots of games to come, starting on Saturday.
“I say it every year – I think the first game of pre-season is the worst we’ll be, and it’s about gradually building them back up to match sharpness in time for the 7th August.
“We’ve got a good test lined up for them first, it’s maybe not one they’ll ease into – they’ll have to be up for it and they will be put under pressure.
“But pre-season for us is about getting ourselves in shape for playing competitively, and it’s an exciting time for us as players and staff and the supporters who’ll watch the club back in the Premiership.
“We’ll get the new faces out on the pitch and get them up to speed with what we’re asking of them in our system, get minutes in legs and then we’ll go from there.”
Lee Feeney
Feeney has drafted in three new signings to date – two of them familiar faces with Stephen McGuinness inking a permanent deal after spending the first half of last term on loan from Cliftonville and 18-year-old Ross Ferguson rejoining his home town club after a stint at Larne.
Experienced goalkeeper Gareth Deane, who celebrates his 31st birthday on Saturday, has also joined from Glenavon and Feeney – now five years into his Clandeboye tenure – says more arrivals can be expected this window.
“I know there’s been a lot of work going on off the pitch, the Board have been very busy and volunteers have been giving up their time to work on the ground as well.
“On the pitch, we’ve been working to look for the right kind of player to bring into the club, we’ve already got a few in and we’re looking to bring in more players across pre-season.
“We’ve brought back two players in Stephen McGuinness and Ross Ferguson who I know well from them having been at the club before, and we’ve brought in a top goalkeeper in Gareth Deane who has a lot of Premiership experience and has been successful.
“We’re always careful about the players that we bring in, and there’s a lot of work that goes in to making sure they’re the right fit for the club and what we want to build.
“It’s early in the window and we’ll be busy throughout the next couple of months looking to bring in players we feel are right for the club, which is the most important thing we look for with any player we try to sign.”
Bangor will play Premiership football for the first time in 16 years when August rolls around, and it is also former Linfield and Rangers star Feeney’s first taste of the league as a manager.
He shed light on how his men will approach next campaign and insists his players will go in confident that they can conquer any top-flight opponent.
“For the past few years and going back to playing in intermediate football, it’s been that we’ve been expected to win every game – now, I think the focus has shifted and it’s we expect ourselves to win every game.
“That’s the mentality that we’ve built up within ourselves as a group, we expect ourselves to win every game and we’ll still have that mindset in the Premiership.
“People looking from outside may not always expect us to win games every week because we are playing the best teams and we’ll be coming up against the best players every week.
“But we’ll still have that expectation of ourselves to go and win games, and no matter who we’re playing in the first game, we’ll be up for it and we’ll be going out to get three points.
“Looking back at the Irish Cup run last season, we were exceptional against Glentoran and we are capable of performances like that and we put Dungannon under pressure, and we can make teams fear us on our day.
“But it’s a big mentality shift as well – we have to do it week in, week out; this is every week for us, and that’s why the best players and the best teams are playing at the level they’re at.
“So, we’ll have to adjust to those demands and it will be tough, but I can’t wait to take it on.”
Feeney also has high hopes for his men and believes they will relish and grow from facing the best of the best in Northern Ireland football next term.
Unfazed by tackling giants of the game, Feeney has told his players they deserve to be part of the journey after their Premier Intermediate title win in 2023 and Championship glory a couple of months ago.
“I’ve had a meeting with the players and I’ve told them you deserve to be here for what you’ve achieved over the past few years.
“We’ve won two league titles in three years that’s now got us into the Premiership for next season – and the best part is I honestly think the players will only get better.
“The players that we have at this club, they are proper footballers and I think they’ll only get better by playing in the top league.
“There’s big personalities there and we’ve got a core group that’s been with us over the last few years and helped us win matches and win titles, they deserve to be at this club and I can see that they can’t wait to get back.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Wednesday, 18th June 2025)
Bangor FC is delighted to announce talented 18-year-old midfielder Ross Ferguson’s return to Clandeboye Park following a two-year spell with Larne.
The technically gifted teenager returns to his home town club after a couple of years with the east Antrim outfit where he was handed a first-team debut by Tiernan Lynch in October last year, starting in a BetMcLean Cup clash with Harland and Wolff Welders.
Having also been a part of the Larne Under-18 squad that claimed the NIFL U18 Academy League title this season as well as featuring regularly for the Inver Reds’ Under-20 side, Ferguson has made big strides in his career and all at the club are excited that he has now opted to rejoin Bangor to continue his development.
Ferguson, who joined the Seasiders’ youth set-up in 2020, initially impressed through the club’s Academy ranks and shone at Under-20 level under David Downes in the 2022/23 campaign with performances that brought him to manager Lee Feeney’s attention.
From there, he availed of Larne’s Scholarship programme and spent two years at Inver Park, also winning the Harry Cavan Cup in 2024 and most recently being part of their squad that participated in the Standard Chartered Soccer Sevens Tournament in Hong Kong last month.
His astute passing range and penchant for long-range strikes have caught the eye within his game and he has now agreed a deal to link back up with Feeney’s panel ahead of next term’s Sports Direct Premiership.
Welcome back to Bangor, Ross!
(Posted: Saturday, 14th June 2025)
Bangor FC wishes goalkeepers James Taylor and Ben Fry and centre-back Callum Byers well following their departures from the club.
Veteran shot-stopper James Taylor departs his home town club having made 96 appearances across all competitions since his arrival in the summer of 2022, helping the club to Premier Intermediate League and Steel and Sons Cup glory in his first season between the sticks during which he also played a significant part in setting Bangor's new clean sheet record, keeping 20 by himself and 24 alongside Marc Orbinson to achieve a historic feat.
The former Glenavon, Glentoran and Dundela netminder was named in the PIL Team of the Season that year and repeated the feat when he made the Championship's best XI in his second season, again playing an important role as Bangor kept the league's second-meanest defence on the way to an outstanding third-placed finish in the club's first season back in the senior ranks after seven years away.
Taylor was then an important part of last term's Championship-winning squad and also featured between the sticks in Bangor's first Irish Cup semi-final in 19 years against Dungannon Swifts, meaning the 41-year-old leaves having made an indelible mark and played a crucial part in a highly successful last few seasons for the side.
27-year-old centre-back Callum Byers also departs Clandeboye Park after 18 months, during which he joined Taylor in picking up the Championship title in 2024/25.
The Dundonald defender joined in January 2024 from Harland and Wolff Welders and, though he sustained a serious knee injury that meant he made only three appearances in his first half-season in a Bangor shirt, he kept a clean bill of health in the season just gone and went on to play an important part in the Seasiders' title triumph.
Former Dungannon Swifts and Ards man Byers featured 26 times in his second campaign on the seaside, including starting and playing the full match in the memorable 3-1 Irish Cup quarter-final victory over Glentoran in front of a packed-to-capacity Clandeboye – in which he also had a goal disallowed – and 2-0 reverse to eventual Irish Cup winners the Swifts at Seaview, and leaves with that Championship winners' medal under his belt as he moves on to pastures new.
Meanwhile, Ben Fry, who featured prominently for Bangor Reserves and made one senior appearance for Lee Feeney's side in a narrow BetMcLean Cup loss at home to Cliftonville back in November, moves on after a year at Clandeboye Park having previously played for Knockbreda and in Glentoran's youth set-up.
Bangor FC wishes all three players well and thanks them for their service during their time at Clandeboye Park.
(Posted: Friday, 13th June 2025)
SUMMER FIXTURES
(Posted: Friday, 13th June 2025)
Bangor FC are delighted to confirm the permanent return of Stephen McGuinness following the expiration of his contract at Cliftonville.
The 21-year-old left-sided defender, who impressed during the first half of last term on loan with the Seasiders before the Reds recalled him in January, is back on a permanent basis for Lee Feeney’s side ahead of next season’s Sports Direct Premiership.
Glengormley man McGuinness made 18 appearances for Bangor, scoring once – a peach of a strike against Newry City in November – and providing three assists before making his return to Solitude midway through the campaign.
From there, former Annagh United and Queen’s University loanee McGuinness – who drew plaudits from Feeney for his consistent performances from left wing-back where he was a mainstay in the starting side – continued to shine, scoring three more goals in 12 appearances under Jim Magilton at Cliftonville in the second half of 2024/25.
A popular member of the Bangor squad during his time on loan in North Down, he is now back with the Seasiders and ready to be part of the club’s top-flight charge.
He follows goalkeeper Gareth Deane through the door as the club’s second signing of the summer window and his return will be warmly appreciated once again by the Bangor fans.
Welcome back to Bangor, Stephen!
(Posted: Friday, 13th June 2025)
Bangor FC season tickets for the 2025/25 NIFL SPORTS DIRECT Premiership season are on sale now.
Tickets are available to purchase online using the Bangor website HERE. They will also be available to buy at all home matches until the start of the league campaign.
An adult season ticket for 2025/26, sponsored by McKeown’s Fish and Poultry shop, will be £195 and guarantees all home Premiership league matches, including those after the league split. Concession season tickets for older people (65+) and students (18+) are priced at £135 for the same games.
Junior season tickets for ages 12 to 18 are £40 and Primary School season tickets for ages 4 to 11 are £20.
Launching the Season tickets, Bangor FC Chairman Graham Bailie said: “Next season, Bangor FC will return to the top league in Northern Ireland for the first time since 2009. We will be hosting the biggest clubs from across the country on a regular basis. To guarantee your attendance at all these matches, you can buy our Premiership season ticket.
“The coming season will be a huge step forward for the club, both on and off the field. As a Bangor family, we all need to work together to ensure the season is successful and our journey continues in a positive progression. The best way fans can contribute and help Lee and the lads start the season on firm footing, is to secure the first Premiership season ticket for over 15 years.”
Graham continued: “As a community-based club we are committed to helping our fans when they buy a season ticket. Firstly, supporters will have the opportunity of using a payment plan with Adult and Concession tickets, where they can be paid in equal instalments over three months. We have also ensured season ticket holders receive healthy discounts, against NIFL gate prices, as part of their purchase.
“With that in mind, full season ticket holders receive a £90 discount on their entrance costs and concessions receive a £55 reduction. Additionally, we have continued to recognise loyalty, and both these season ticket holders will also gain automatic membership of the Bangor FC Social Club. That is a further saving for being part of the Bangor FC family.
“Junior season tickets holders (School Year 8 - 14 or ages 12 to 18) will also receive a £55 saving and Primary School ticket (School Year P1 – P7 or ages 4 to 11) will include an £18 reduction.”
Graham concluded: “Huge thanks to Sean and the team at McKeown’s Fish and Poultry shop for sponsoring our season tickets for the ninth successive season. McKeown’s have been supporting us from the Ballymena League days, and we are extremely proud of their association with the Seasiders.”
McKeown’s Fish and Poultry proprietor Sean McKeown said: “I am thrilled that Bangor FC has made it into the NIFL Premiership. I hope the support I have provided the club over the past nine years has helped in their incredible journey.
“As a long-standing business, I’m pleased to give something back to the local community and I’m proud to be associated with the football club. Next season will be tough, but it will also present opportunities for the city and local people to get involved with the Seasiders.
“I am confident Bangor FC will continue to progress again next season, and I wish the Seasiders every continued success.”
Gate prices during the 2024/25 season are: Adult £15, Concession £10 (65+ and students 18+), Youth £5 (ages 12 to 18) and Primary School pupils £2 (ages 4 to 11).
Bangor FC are delighted to confirm the arrival of goalkeeper Gareth Deane from Glenavon as the club’s first signing of the summer window.
The Seasiders have signed the experienced former Linfield and Coleraine stopper to a one-year deal ahead of the club’s return to the Sports Direct Premiership next season.
The Lisburn native, who is a former Northern Ireland youth international, was a two-time Premiership champion during six seasons at Windsor Park and joins Bangor having spent an 18-month stint with the Mourneview Park outfit after joining them from Coleraine in January 2024.
Deane was also previously on Queen’s Park Rangers’ books and is a decorated performer in the Irish League and on the European stage, playing in Champions League, Europa League and Conference League qualifiers across his time with the Blues and Bannsiders.
Now the shot-stopper, who celebrates his 31st birthday on Saturday, will embark on a new challenge as part of Lee Feeney’s squad at Clandeboye Park in the 2025/26 campaign.
Welcome to Bangor, Gareth!
(Posted: Tuesday, 10th June 2025)
Bangor FC board of directors recently hosted a social event to thank volunteers for their support during the season.
Bangor FC Director Gerry Watson said: “We have had a successful season, with our senior team winning promotion to the Premiership, and a number of our academy teams winning leagues and trophies in their year groups.
“Behind the scenes there is a large group of people who have been carrying out important work to support the activities on the pitch.
“We are fortunate to have the support of many fans at the club, working in a range of areas including ground maintenance, stewarding, turnstile operation, hospitality, media, safeguarding, child welfare, mental health and wellbeing, chaplaincy, finance and administration. All these work areas are vital in ensuring that the football club continues to grow and develop.”
Gerry continued: “The Board of Directors felt it was important to recognise the work of our volunteers and thank them for their support. Some have been volunteering since our days in the Ballymena and Provincial Intermediate League.
“We are now looking forward to playing in the Premiership and understand that there will be a greater call on our time and increased administrative regulations to meet. As our club develops, we appreciate there is a greater need for additional volunteers to be part of the Bangor family.
“With that in mind, if you are interested in volunteering at the club and being part of the team, please email media@bangorfc.com for further information or speak to one of the Directors.”
(Posted: Thursday, 5th June 2025)
We bid farewell to striker Adam Neale and defender Jack Reilly who have both left the club for pastures new.
Adam Neale made an instant impact by scoring a vital equaliser against Ballymacash Rangers on his Seasiders debut in September 2022. He went on to earn PIL and Steel & Sons Cup winners medal in his time at Clandeboye. Adam will be playing for Ballymacash Rangers once again next season.
Also moving on from Bangor is defender Jack Reilly who joined us in January from Newington. Jack played a vital role for the club in closing stages of our Championship winning season.
We thank both players for their efforts and wish them well for the future.
(Posted: Saturday, 31st May 2025)
Players and officials attended a Mayoral Reception earlier this week to mark our successful Championship season.
Thank you to Mayor Alistair Cathcart for the kind invitation.
(Posted: Sunday, 25th May 2025)
TOP CLEAN SHEETS
For shut-outs across the season, both James Taylor and Patrick Solis Grogan can’t be separated – both recorded eight apiece in the end.
Experienced goalkeeper Taylor began the campaign as the first-choice stopper and played 22 times in all competitions, recording a clean sheet rate of 36.4% that surpasses the 28.2% he got last term having kept 11 in 39 appearances then.
Midway through the season, 21-year-old Solis Grogan arrived on loan from Dungannon Swifts and also kept eight shut-outs, with that coming across 15 appearances in total.
He made an instant impact as he didn’t concede a single goal in any of his first five features between the sticks, producing an impressive display in the iconic 3-1 Irish Cup quarter-final victory over Glentoran before maintaining another three clean sheets in the league to help Bangor to the Championship title.
One of those was in the 1-0 victory at Harland and Wolff Welders where Mick Morgan’s goal sealed the deal and while the Spanish-born stopper may have only been at Bangor for a brief time this term, he certainly endeared himself in that time.
Bangor kept 18 clean sheets in total this term, with Welshman Evan Ovendale accounting for the other two in seven appearances prior to his January departure and Ben Fry also playing in goal in the 1-0 BetMcLean Cup defeat to Cliftonville in November.
There is great pride taken in having a solid foundation at the back, and 54 clean sheets across the last three seasons is testament to the work led by goalkeeping coach Neil Gillespie in this department.
Top disciplinary
In terms of the disciplinary chart, based solely on yellow cards, three players have hit double digits for bookings this campaign.
Firstly, Caomhan McGuinness went into the referee’s notebook 10 times across the season while avoiding a red card.
He took on board two suspensions for yellows with all 10 of those cautions received in the Playr-Fit Championship, serving one in January after picking up his fifth booking in defeat to Newry City on January 17 before, on his return, picking up five yellow cards in just six league matches to sit out post-split clashes with Limavady and Annagh in April.
However, Marty Bradley was even quicker to the draw. Indeed, he missed that Newry game having taken on board his 10th yellow in the 1-0 home win over Limavady United the week before – what proved to be his last appearance for Bangor before joining St James’ Swifts.
The charismatic midfielder, often deployed at right wing-back, made himself a fan favourite for his all-action style of play and totted up 24 appearances in all during the first half of the season in which he played a big part in Bangor’s eventual success – an extra-time winner in the Irish Cup Fifth Round against Newington also setting up that historic run to the last-four.
And veteran midfielder Robert Garrett also ended up with 10 yellow cards, as well as two reds – a yellow-red against the Welders on November 23 and a straight red in the Boxing Day North Down Derby against Ards.
He was high-ranking for bookings alongside fellow midfielders Lewis Harrison and Tiarnan Mulvenna (nine each), with Harrison receiving a straight red card against Annagh United in the Irish Cup and sitting out three matches while Mulvenna avoided that fate.
It’s quite a distance to those next on the list – forwards Arthurs and Cushnie, who received five each across all competitions – and Owens received a straight red against Annagh in the league having also received four cautions across the campaign.
Curiously in Arthurs’ case, the Kircubbin man had received just four yellow cards in his entire Bangor career prior to this campaign and more than doubled that tally by the end of it!
Among the management, Lee Feeney was the worst offender in this respect, picking up five yellow cards – enough for one ban, served during the 2-0 away victory over Newington back in December.
Kitman Bradley Ferguson took on board two yellow cards this term just as he did last season but he avoided seeing red having been dismissed in each of the last two campaigns.
Assistants John Douglas, Dean Gordon, Michael McClelland and goalkeeping coach Neil Gillespie were on their best behaviour by contrast, all receiving zero cautions.
(Posted: Wednesday, 21st May 2025)
Top appearances
Just as Ben Arthurs leads the way in goals, he also tops the appearance chart this term having featured in 43 of Bangor’s 45 outings across all competitions in the 2024/25 season.
The Kircubbin man is also the only player to have featured in every single league game this term, only missing the 4-0 County Antrim Shield defeat at home to Carrick Rangers and the 4-0 victory over Warrenpoint Town in the BetMcLean Cup.
Indeed, he missed only one game last season too – a 3-0 Shield defeat away to Larne – and his durability for a striker is as impressive as his goalscoring feats.
Last season’s appearance kingpin Reece Neale, who pipped Arthurs by virtue of playing in all 43 of Bangor’s games in 2023/24 and missing just 59 minutes of action, is just one shy of the frontman in a role reversal this time around having played in 42 games across the campaign.
Every single one of those 42 features came from the start – an unsurprising squad high – and he missed just two games in the league while, like Arthurs, being ever-present throughout the Seasiders’ run to the Irish Cup semi-finals.
Also racking up 42 appearances this term was Kyle Owens – 41 from the start – in a colossal debut season in yellow and blue at the heart of defence.
The big Belfast man was assured both at the back and the sharp end of the pitch, registering five goals (732.2 minutes per goal) and three assists (1220.3 minutes per assist) this term as he played a key part in Bangor’s title charge.
A fan favourite amongst the Clandeboye faithful, the 32-year-old centre-back has pedigree at the top-tier of the domestic game with Crusaders and Ballymena United in recent years.
After completing the move from Harland and Wolff Welders to Bangor last summer, Owens’ arrival was greeted with excitement and he has more than lived up to the billing in that time.
Owens’ former Welders team-mate Matthew Ferguson has too, and he struck his season-total 21 goals across 41 appearances in all competitions.
In fact, in his case, he played in every single game up until March 18, showing the kind of durability and availability up top that managers crave in their goalscorers.
And the fifth player in the squad to hit 40 appearances or more was captain Lewis Harrison, whose career-best season saw him have a near ever-present status within the Bangor panel.
Midfield partner Tiarnan Mulvenna was just short of him on 39, with Cushnie (38), Caomhan McGuinness (36), Robbie Garrett (36) and Mathieson (34) also ranking highly and playing complete parts in this season’s success.
TOP MINUTES PLAYED
There are just 10 minutes separating Neale and Owens to be crowned this term’s minutes king – and it’s the latter who prevails.
Despite Neale having started a game more than the centre-back, Owens takes the crown having racked up 3,661 minutes’ worth of action this term, just shading the Ballynahinch man’s equally impressive 3,651 minutes.
Indeed, Neale’s monstrous 3,831 from last season when he missed less than an hour’s worth of the maximum possible game-time he could’ve played will take some beating, but it shows Owens’ and Neale’s importance that they have come away with these squad-leading totals.
Arthurs’ 3,647 put him in second-place behind Neale last term and he once again is well north of the 3,000-minute mark, coming in third with 3,192 minutes played this campaign.
And there’s one other player who cracked that mark, with Mulvenna notching up 3,059 total minutes in his first full campaign in yellow and blue.
Harrison came just six minutes short of joining the club, with the captain racking up 2,994 minutes, while two summer arrivals in McGuinness (2,930) and Garrett (2,785) also aren’t far away in this respect.
(THE FINAL PART WILL BE PUBLISHED TOMORROW)
(Posted: Tuesday, 20th May 2025)
TOP ‘MINUTES PER’
There’s little to separate Mick Morgan, Ben Arthurs and Matthew Ferguson in this respect, but it is 19-year-old Morgan who prevails for minutes per goal between the three.
The mid-season arrival – whose senior debut for Cliftonville shortly after his 16th birthday actually came against Bangor in the County Antrim Shield in October 2021 – was at the centre of Seasiders celebrations when his 33rd-minute header against the Welders cemented the club’s status as Championship champions.
Given he also scored for Ballyclare Comrades in Bangor’s very first game back in the second-tier, it was a full-circle moment for the teenager who scored the Comrades’ equaliser in an eventual 3-2 home win at Dixon Park back in August 2023.
But seven goals for the Glenavy native since arriving on the seaside – coming across 17 games, nine from the start and eight as a substitute and amounting to 813 minutes as a whole – proved influential to this term’s title success.
That works out at 116.1 minutes per goal for Morgan’s time in a Bangor shirt, with 16 finishes in total for the season clearly highlighting him as one of the Irish League’s best young attacking talents right now.
Meanwhile, Arthurs enters his eighth year in a Bangor shirt having posted a rate of 122.8 minutes per goal – that’s up on his rate of 145.9 last season – while Ferguson ends up just half a minute behind him on 123.3 for his first season at Clandeboye Park.
And although not quite with the same sample size, an honourable mention must go to the evergreen Michael Halliday.
His goal in a BetMcLean Cup First Round success over would-be PIL champions Warrenpoint Town back in October made sure it was yet another goalscoring season for the Irish League legend, who played 59 minutes in all across five appearances at the age of 45 and is set to enter his seventh year in a Bangor shirt next term.
For assists, Mulvenna’s 14 came at a rate of 213.9 minutes for each one – good enough for the midfielder to finish top of the pile here and highlight how consistent he’s been during the course of the campaign.
Neale’s 304.3 is the next highest, shading January arrival Jack O’Mahony who is only just behind the defender on 310.7 with his three set-ups in 932 minutes.
Randalstown native O’Mahony barely put a foot wrong in the second half of the season after joining from Ballymena United with his creativity and bravery earning him deserved acclaim.
Making 16 appearances – 10 as a substitute and six from the starting line-up – the 25-year-old playmaker catches the eye when running with the ball or showing off his impressive passing range, bringing about three set-ups during the back end of the campaign.
He knows what the Premiership is like and, like Morgan, has supporters intrigued to see what he can do with a full season under his belt.
There were several others who managed to squeeze under the 500-minutes-per-assist mark too, including Harrison (437.0), Tom Mathieson (441.0), Arthurs (456.6) and Cushnie (493.3).
In terms of the overall minutes per goal contribution, Arthurs (96.7) and Ferguson (99.6) are both underneath the 100-minute threshold and not far off a goal involvement every game – an impressive feat from both frontmen.
Morgan’s 116.1 stacks up here as well, while Cushnie finishes on 164.4 having bagged four assists to go with his eight goals that were spread out across 38 appearances this campaign.
In midfield, Mulvenna (187.1) just edges out Harrison (191.2) with both having contributed 16 direct goal involvements this season, while an injury-disrupted season for Championship Player of the Year nominee in 2023/24 Scott McArthur doesn’t take away from a promising rate of 233.0 minutes per goal involvement – three goals and an assist in 932 minutes – for another of the home town favourites.
(Posted: Monday, 19th May 2025)
The 2024/25 season was a memorable one in every sense for Bangor, with the Playr-Fit Championship title secured and a long-awaited return to the Premiership confirmed to complete the journey back having been in the Ballymena League as recently as 2019.
This campaign also featured an Irish Cup semi-final appearance for the first time in nearly two decades that served as a nice subplot to yet another successful campaign under Lee Feeney’s tutelage, ending up with 76 points in the league and never ceding top spot in the table from October onwards.
Supporters are excited at the prospect of seeing Bangor back in the big time and rubbing shoulders with the best of the best in 2025/26, and hopes are high that there will be many more happy memories to savour in the months and years ahead.
But first, let’s take a look back at the season just passed and the stats that have underpinned the Yellows’ triumphant third league title. It was, of course, a collective effort on and off the pitch, but just how did the big players’ numbers stack up across the course of the campaign?
TOP SCORERS
The last season that a player other than Ben Arthurs finished as Bangor’s top goalscorer was 2017/18 – and the Kircubbin marksman’s proud record of having top-scored in every season since he joined the club continues this term.
In all, Arthurs’ 26 goals in all competitions marks the third consecutive season he has hit 25 finishes or more and his fourth overall, reaching that mark in all three of Bangor’s league-winning seasons.
With 24 of those coming in league play to come out second overall in the Championship top scorer’s list, that’s his highest league tally since 2018/19 when he scored 27 in the Ballymena League.
He also enjoyed possibly the greatest month of February a Bangor player is ever likely to enjoy in amongst all that.
Back-to-back hat-tricks against Ballinamallard United – as a substitute – and Armagh City stand out as highlights, while he also broke the deadlock in the famous Irish Cup quarter-final victory over Glentoran which helped him on his way to the NI Football Writers’ Championship Player of the Month award.
The highlight, though, was the first of his eight goals that month – the close-range finish in the 3-0 Irish Cup last-16 triumph over Annagh United that moved him above Andy Morrow into second spot on the all-time Bangor top scorers list.
It always seemed only a matter of time before Arthurs would surpass Morrow’s modern-record 143 Bangor finishes, and he duly did so in a season when he also made his 200th appearance in yellow and blue against Newington back in December.
He’s on 157 goals in a Bangor shirt at the time of writing and now the club’s longest-serving player heading into the Premiership next term – and given he’s only just celebrated his 27th birthday, you would hardly back against him making a mark in the top-flight.
That said, Arthurs did have to fight to keep his top scorer’s crown this season, with Matthew Ferguson providing the chief competition.
He struck 21 in his first campaign on the seaside having joined Bangor from H&W Welders last summer, finding the net at a rate of 123.3 minutes per goal – just half a minute short of Arthurs’ 122.8 per goal – and also recording a flying start that saw him notch up 12 goals in his first dozen appearances.
The partnership between Ferguson and Arthurs, who enjoy a sparkling relationship up top and are willing to push each other to hit the target, has undeniably proved key behind this term’s title success.
Meanwhile, honourable mentions must go to captain and midfield maestro Lewis Harrison, whose nine goals this season account for more than half his Bangor total in five and a half years with the club.
Ben Cushnie – who hit eight in his second season with Bangor and first since his permanent acquisition last summer – also set a new career high, as did Mick Morgan (7), who of course scored the league-clinching goal at the Welders in the penultimate matchday and shone in the second half of the season following his mid-term arrival from Ballyclare Comrades.
Morgan (19) – who scored at a rate of 116.1 minutes per goal for Bangor – also consolidates himself as the top-scoring teenager in the Irish League with 16 overall, with supporters excited to see a full season of him in action at Clandeboye Park next campaign.
TOP ASSISTERS
The title for top assister this season goes to Tiarnan Mulvenna, with the midfielder notching up 14 in his first full campaign in a Bangor shirt.
The highlight of those is the hat-trick of set-ups he registered in a 3-1 victory over Institute in October that paved the way for Ferguson (2) and Arthurs to do the business, with Mulvenna continuing to prove a fan favourite in the middle of the park.
Highly coveted by Lee Feeney, Mulvenna’s creativity both from open play and set-pieces has proved a difference-maker going forward, while his first two Bangor goals this season were both eye-catching strikes against firstly Dundela and then Limavady United in the post-split.
The Belfast man assisted at a rate of 213.9 minutes per set-up this campaign, with his all-action and committed style of play drawing plenty of admirers throughout his time in the yellow and blue shirt.
Having reached 50 appearances for the club in March, more beckon for a player who joined Harrison and Reece Neale in January in extending his contract until the end of next season.
Speaking of Neale, he tends to figure highly on this particular list and unsurprisingly does so again.
The vice-captain finishes runner-up to Mulvenna on 12 – the same as last season when Arthurs’ 13 set-ups were just ahead of his 10 from a mostly centre-back position – and continues his streak of double-digit assist campaigns into a third consecutive season.
The fan favourite from Ballynahinch tops out at 304.3 minutes per assist, added to by a well-struck goal in an away victory over Ballyclare Comrades, and has 37 in the past three seasons overall, also passed 150 Bangor appearances this term having signed from Carrick Rangers in the summer of 2021.
In keeping with players to pass that 150 mark, skipper Harrison also achieved that feat this term and accompanied a career-high nine goals in a season with a career-high seven assists.
His attacking impetus has been something of a surprise development this season, but 16 direct goal involvements from midfield showcase his development here and Bangor have undeniably reaped the rewards of it.
Arthurs also joined him on seven assists to make it 33 direct goal involvements for him as a whole this term, including the cross that teed up Morgan to head home the winner against the Welders that ultimately clinched the Championship title.
It was yet another day of celebration for the Bangor players at the end-of-season Awards Dinner at the Clandeboye Lodge on Saturday night.
On the back of this season’s Playr-Fit Championship success, there were individual prizes up for grabs to further toast the whole squad’s achievement throughout the campaign.
Reece Neale was the big winner on the night, with the defender picking up the Directors’, Manager’s and Clandeboye Bangor Supporters Club Player of the Year accolades.
Left-sided defender Neale ended the season with 12 assists and a goal in 42 games across all competitions, with the Ballynahinch man also passing the 150-appearance marker in yellow and blue this term and clinching his third piece of team silverware with the glistening Championship trophy there for all to see.
This year’s Young Player of the Year award went to Mick Morgan, with the teenage frontman bagging seven goals following his January arrival from Ballyclare Comrades including the goal at Harland and Wolff Welders that mathematically confirmed Bangor’s status as second-tier champions this term.
The gifted 19-year-old ended the season as the top-scoring teenager in Irish League football, leaving an indelible mark across his 17 appearances for the club in 2025 so far.
And Ben Arthurs – who has already been named NI Football Writers’, NI Football League and NI PFA Championship Player of the Season – picked up two more awards as he collected his sixth consecutive Top Goalscorer prize after 26 finishes across all competitions this season.
He was also named Players’ Player of the Year to round off yet another impressive individual season where he also notched seven assists having played a squad-high 43 games this term.
The 2024/25 campaign will forever be remembered as the one in which the Kircubbin striker surpassed Andy Morrow as Bangor’s second-highest all-time leading goalscorer.
Now the club’s longest-serving current player, he sits on 157 at present and also rose above the 200-appearance marker during a term that saw him clinch his third league title and fifth trophy overall in a Bangor shirt.
Captain Lewis Harrison picked up those awards on his behalf on Saturday, while Lee Feeney was in receipt of a memento in recognition of being the manager to guide Bangor back into the Premiership for the first time in 16 years.
The club wishes to thank Denman for sponsoring the Awards evening and everyone who attended and supported the event.
Bangor rounded off the 2024/25 Playr-Fit Championship season with a win, lifting the league winner’s trophy on the back of a 3-1 victory over Dundela at a sunny Clandeboye Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Seasiders had signalled their intent to finish the campaign on a high in front of a packed crowd – and that’s just what they did ahead of a day of celebration that lasted long after the final whistle.
Matthew Ferguson’s strike – his 21st across all competitions in an impressive debut season in yellow and blue – on 31 minutes kicked things off before Kielan Reid’s first competitive senior goal and Scott McArthur’s finish consolidated Bangor’s advantage in the second half.
David McMaster bagged a late consolation for Dundela, who also saw goalkeeper Ryan Kerr sent off in the first half with Aaron Hogg coming on to replace him, as Bangor ended this term with a second victory in the split and 76 points – eight more than last season’s tally.
It was also a 23rd victory with 82 goals scored – also league highs – and good enough to end up five points clear of Annagh United, who clinched second spot and the promotion play-off.
But the champagne flowed and the jubilation continued after Bangor’s third title win in six years ahead of their promotion to the Sports Direct Premiership with the watching crowd treated to a strong Championship send-off.
Ferguson hit the net initially after Tom Mathieson had laid the groundwork to set him up just a minute before Kerr’s dismissal when he rushed off his goalline and fouled Ferguson, with the young stopper shown a red card and experienced Hogg coming on in his place for Stephen Gourley’s side.
Lee Feeney also made a change at half-time when Reid was introduced for Jack O’Mahony, and the young centre-back almost made an instant impact on 50 minutes when Ferguson couldn’t quite guide his header on target from the defender’s cross.
But two former Linfield Swifts captains did make a decisive impact on 74 minutes, with Reid on the end of Caomhan McGuinness’ fine cross to bullet past Hogg into the net.
Five minutes later, home town hero and three-time league champion McArthur, who had been sprung from the bench extended the cushion when he found himself in a one-on-one situation with Hogg – his third goal of the season – and it all but wrapped up the points for Bangor as they looked to see it out.
McMaster pulled one back on 86 minutes that at least denied Patrick Solis Grogan a clean sheet, but party plans had long since been made and Bangor made sure of three points to end the campaign – 45 matches in all across all competitions – on a phenomenal high with the trophy lift that followed.
Bangor will be presented with the Playr-Fit Championship trophy after Saturday’s final game of the season at home to Dundela – and Michael Morgan wants to lift it on a high.
The 19-year-old’s header against Harland and Wolff Welders last weekend was enough to confirm the Seasiders’ status as second-tier champions and assure them of a Sports Direct Premiership place for the 2025/26 campaign.
But the young striker insists it’s not job done yet for him or any of his team-mates because they want to hold the trophy aloft on the back of a victory against the Duns in front of the home fans at Clandeboye Park.
Morgan’s close-range header on 33 minutes from Ben Arthurs’ looping cross sparked celebrations among the travelling fans at Blanchflower Park – and he wants more of the same against the Welders’ east Belfast neighbours before truly getting the party started.
“One hundred per cent, we want to lift the trophy on a high. That’s what I was saying there in the changing room (after the Welders win) – we want to go and win the game.
“We’ll be going in there, they’ll be coming to us and we’ll be looking to win the game and finish the season strong.
“It’ll make lifting the trophy that bit sweeter – for me anyway, I’ll definitely be looking to win the game and that would just be the best feeling, to lift the trophy on the back of a win.”
Mick Morgan
(Posted: Thursday, 24th April 2025)
SCOTTY SPEAKS
Scott McArthur is now on his third league title in a Bangor shirt – and he says that even in the Ballymena League days, there was always a sense that the Seasiders had a Premiership feel about them.
That’s where the club will be next campaign after Saturday’s 1-0 victory over Harland and Wolff Welders at Blanchflower Park confirmed Lee Feeney’s side as Playr-Fit Championship champions.
It also means McArthur joins Ben Arthurs and Michael Halliday in having won all three of the Ballymena and Provincial League, Premier Intermediate League and Championship crowns – and the home town hero reflected on his time with the Seasiders in the regional ranks and says he always believed the club would be headed to the top again, even during those days.
He’s been proven right after Michael Morgan’s header was enough to see Bangor past the Welders and spark celebratory scenes at the final whistle in east Belfast, a battling display that ensures a top-flight place for the 2025/26 campaign.
“Do you know what, even when we were in the Ballymena League when we near enough went the season unbeaten, it always felt like we were a Premiership team.
“I was at Ards at the time on an unofficial loan when Ards were in the Premiership and I just knew there was a wee factor about Bangor that it seemed like a Premiership team.
“What was that, five, six years ago, now we’re in the Premiership, so it’s unbelievable.
“It has been a lot of hard work. Even this season, it hasn’t been a walk in the park. Every game’s been tough – I think it’s thoroughly deserved.
“Even today, we had to dig in to get the win. The Welders had the majority of the ball, but that’s what we’ve been doing all season when it hasn’t been going our way or we’ve come in like today where we haven’t won in maybe five or six games before today.
“So, maybe the confidence was a wee bit low and it was a bit more nervy at times, but I think we dealt with the pressure really well and we deserved the win.”
Scott McArthur
McArthur, a three-time league champion at the age of 25, admits he is glad to have averted the final-day stress following Saturday’s victory.
Three points was what the Seasiders needed to clinch the title and that’s just what they did having not won any of their first three post-split outings – and 2023/24 Championship Player of the Season nominee McArthur is already setting the bar high for Bangor’s first season of Premiership football in 16 years next term.
“Yeah, 100 per cent. I think if we didn’t win today, my head would’ve been all over the place!
“Especially after that Limavady game when they equalised with the last kick of the game, I couldn’t even watch the corner – I could sort of sense it was going in.
“We’re just thankful that we’ve got the job done, but I think now, we can push on – especially next season.
“I think if we keep the squad, add a few more faces, you know, we could compete next year and even push for the top half.”
Scott McArthur
McArthur also shed light on a pre-game conversation between himself, Arthurs and Halliday that sparked a fond memory of those Ballymena League days.
The former Ards Academy player, who also enjoyed a stint in the Scottish Lowland League while he studied at Stirling University, was a teenager when Hugh Sinclair brought him to Bangor in January 2019.
And almost six years ago to the day, on April 11, 2019, McArthur scored a bullet header from a Gerard McMullan cross in a 5-1 victory over Ballymoney United at the Riada Stadium – one of 10 he scored in total in a game that came right in the midst of the 2018/19 title run-in.
A then-20-year-old Arthurs – crowned this campaign’s Championship Player of the Year by both the NI Football League and Professional Footballers Association NI last week – scored two of his 38 goals that season in that game, while Halliday, who turns 46 next month and arrived just a few weeks after Arthurs in the summer of 2018, contributed 28 finishes.
All three men now hold a special and unique place in Bangor folklore as three-time league champions, but McArthur reiterated that there was never any doubt the side could cut it.
“It’s been a mad journey. We were actually saying, me, Michael and Ben were talking in the changing room earlier.
“I was saying I’d scored a few headers for Bangor which brought it back to, I think it was Ballymoney away where I scored a header and I got the video up – you know, back in the Ballymena League, we’ve come a long way.
“But even Ben getting Player of the Year, he was in the Ballymena League, he was actually at Ards Under-20s with me as well, so it’s been a good experience.
“But we always thought we were good enough – me personally, and I’m sure Ben and the rest of the boys thought when they were in the Ballymena League, they should be playing higher up.
“And even in the intermediate league, we always sort of thought we were capable of better than this and the club’s better than this, but it’s been a brilliant journey, it really has.”
Scott McArthur
McArthur adds that the squad will enjoy the moment but, after a good rest following next week’s title coronation at home to Dundela in the last game of the season, expects Feeney and Co to immediately look at how Bangor can make a splash in next term’s Premiership.
But now with over 120 appearances under his belt in a Bangor shirt, McArthur is relishing the challenge and hungry to mix it with the best of the best in Northern Ireland football.
“You enjoy the moment now, but I suppose – and I know we have one more game left – but after that game, I’m sure Feeno, Dougie (John Douglas) and others will be thinking ahead to next season.
“But it’s an exciting time and we’re all buzzing for it.”
Scott McArthur
(Posted: Monday, 21st April 2025)
A MESSAGE FROM THE BANGOR FC BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Congratulations to the players, Lee, John and the rest of the management team for winning the NIFL Playr-Fit Championship and sending Bangor FC to the Sports Direct Premiership. It is a remarkable achievement for the club and the city.
When our journey began in 2017, we had a three key objectives, one of which was to reach the Premiership in five years. Disregarding the Covid spells, we did it in six full seasons.
Eight years ago, at the beginning of the journey, we had been relegated to the Ballymena and Provincial Football League, we had had no players, no manager, no control over the pitch and social club and increasing debt. Supporters were disenfranchised, season ticket sales were non-existent and Clandeboye Park was in a state of disrepair.
We are now heading to the NIFL Premier League with a talented squad, a manager who was nominated for manager of the year, a new academy using our pitch on a daily basis, a revamped social club, record season ticket sales, record attendances, and a revitalised Clandeboye Park that includes plans for a new community hub and grandstand.
The club has come a long way in a very short period of time.
We need to remind everyone that this success has only been possible because of our supporters, volunteers, friends and support from the local community. We are a family, and we are very lucky at Bangor to have people around that care so much and are so passionate about the club. We thank them once again as the success is as much theirs, as it is the players, management team and board.
When we took charge at Bangor FC, our main aim was simple – leave the club in a better place than we found it.
Phase one of this work has now finished and phase two will start soon. Who wants to be a part of the next stage of the journey?
(Posted: Sunday, 20th April 2025)
MORGAN'S DAY
Bangor’s match-winning hero Michael Morgan paid tribute to a full squad effort and a legacy of hard work to seal the Playr-Fit Championship title in the penultimate game of the season at Harland and Wolff Welders on Saturday.
The teenage striker’s 33rd-minute header from Ben Arthurs’ looping cross proved enough to settle the game and he reflected on an all-round battling display to get it over the line at last.
Players put their bodies on the line from the start, with makeshift centre-backs Liam Hassin and Caomhan McGuinness delivering particularly outstanding performances at the back as they made last-ditch interventions and decisive tackles that helped keep the Welders at bay.
After not winning any of the first three post-split fixtures and dropping points from leading positions against Ards (2-2), Limavady United (2-2) and Annagh United (3-2), while Morgan admits that while Bangor made life harder than it needed to be, this was a chance for men to step up when it mattered most – and how they did.
“It’s been a long time coming – we were flying going into the split; we just needed one win, really, but we made it difficult for ourselves.
“But I thought it was a brilliant team performance. We dug in when we had to dig in, people were throwing themselves at everything and I think we deserved the clean sheet.
“We always know if we keep a clean sheet, we’re going to score goals – we always score, so I’m happy to be the one who gets the goal that wins us the game and wins us the league.
“But listen, it’s been so much hard work from everyone, the whole team.
“From before I came here in January, everyone has put in such a shift to get here and we’ll enjoy it now that we’re over the line.”
Mick Morgan
The 19-year-old added that there was an extra sense of satisfaction to finish the job against a Welders side who have been Bangor’s closest competitors for the title for much of this term.
As a young player, Morgan – who showed his strength to notch up his seventh goal since his mid-season arrival from Ballyclare Comrades – also touched on just what an “unbelievable” feeling it is for him personally to be a league champion.
He felt there was no better way or place to win it and was proud to be the difference-maker.
“Yeah, some people were saying, it would’ve been great if we’d won it even last week and we were going here already with the league in the bag.
“But if I’m being honest, I think it’s a bit better winning the league here.
“I think it’s better to win it here – the Welders have been pushing us the whole season, they’ve probably been the closest challengers, so it’s brilliant just to get it over the line.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s an unreal feeling. Obviously, I’m still very young, but to have a league won already, it’s superb.
“It’s unbelievable, everybody was brilliant. The subs came on, Jack Reilly came on and absolutely smashed someone – it just shows what everyone was wanting today.
“I thought it was just superb, it’s the only word for it.”
Mick Morgan
Morgan said the players felt like they owed themselves a performance on Saturday with fine margins having worked against Bangor in those first three fixtures.
He lamented lapses in concentration and simple mistakes which were pounced upon by opponents in those games but felt the players hit back in style at Blanchflower Park.
It was a laser-focused display that the frontman says was clear from the warm-up, giving him a feeling before kick-off that the Seasiders would pick up the three points in east Belfast, and he was proved right by the end as the champagne flowed.
“We 100 per cent owed ourselves a performance today.
“Even if you look at the three games, I thought for seven minutes of games, we were so poor but then there were those 15, 20 minutes that we were just having lapses in concentration and it’s just not good enough.
“But I thought today, from minute one to 94, however much added time was played, everyone was just fully focused.
“You could even see it in the warm-up – straight out, I just had a feeling that we were going to win today. Everyone was so focused and ready for it, just to get it over the line.”
Bangor beat Harland and Wolff Welders 1-0 at Blanchflower Park and crowned themselves as Playr-Fit Championship champions, achieving promotion to the Sports Direct Premiership in the process on a special day in east Belfast.
The Welders threatened first on three minutes when Michael McLellan reached at the back post but headed wide of Patrick Solis Grogan's right-hand upright, while Bangor's first opportunity emerged on 10 minutes when Ben Arthurs got in behind but saw his low shot caught and held by an off-his-line Welders keeper Jack Mills.
The Welders had a great opening on 13 minutes as Caomhan McGuinness put his body on the line to deny Josh Kee after McLellan laid him off with the Bangor defence opened up, with makeshift centre-back partner Liam Hassin's subsequent clearance diverting it around the post for a corner – it was cleared by Arthurs as it came to nothing.
Bangor were forced into an early change with the injured Tiarnan Mulvenna replaced by Jack O'Mahony in midfield, with Arthurs forcing another low save by Mills as the ball bobbled around the box following a 21st-minute corner.
On 28 minutes, the Welders enjoyed perhaps their best opening yet as, after Solis Grogan got out bravely to clear ahead of McLellan, Steven Ball forced a fine saw out of the goalkeeper when he denied the forward with his foot before last-ditch defending on the goalline cleared Ball's subsequent attempt.
Half an hour in and it was goalless but an open contest – goalless up until the 33 minutes, that was, when the away fans were sent into bedlam. A superb recovery from Arthurs by the left byline turned into an even better cross that Michael Morgan got his head on the end of, and he placed past Mills to open the scoring at Blanchflower Park.
On 39 minutes, Ball's low cross flashed past the past as the Welders looked for a response after going behind, with the Dubliner subsequently shaping a curling effort considerably over the crossbar. Ball was leading the threat and he drew another save out of Solis Grogan, who held confidently from Kee's cross as Bangor kept their one-goal intact lead up until half-time.
On 50 minutes, Bangor had the first shot on target when Morgan raced in behind and drew a strong boot from Mills as he got the shot away, with the Championship's top scorer McLellan turning wide on the Welders' next foray forward a minute later. Ball then saw a free-kick deflected away, with McLellan lofting his header from the cross that followed over the upright.
On 62 minutes, Ben Cushnie floated a header past the post from Tom Mathieson's cross as Bangor looked to add to their tally, while Hassin lunged in fantastically on Parkhouse with a tackle he just had to get right – it stopped the Welders in their tracks.
Up the other end on 68 minutes, Arthurs laid off for substitute Scott McArthur to fire at goal after skipping by two Welders challenges. His shot deflected over the bar, while from the resulting corner, McArthur's hook back towards goal edged agonisingly past the post as Bangor searched the second.
The game petered out for a spell with Jack Reilly drafted on alongside McArthur, with pressure on the Welders to get back in the game. McLellan led the charge and got a shot away that was off target, while Kee just couldn't get the connection on 81 minutes as a low cross was driven in from the right-hand side. The lively McArthur saw a similar attempt hooked away up the other end.
It ultimately turned out to be a somewhat low-key climax – and when the final whistle blew, Bangor were crowned champions of the 2024/25 Playr-Fit Championship.
NEXT MATCH: Saturday, 26th April 2025 - BANGOR v DUNDELA, Playr-Fit Championship Finale, Clandeboye Park, 3:00pm
(Posted: Saturday, 19th April 2025)
H&W WELDERS v BANGOR
Bangor boss Lee Feeney feels his players are putting the work in but being punished in the fine margins as he looks ahead to Saturday’s important trip to Harland and Wolff Welders.
It’s been a tale of frustration in the post-split for the Seasiders having dropped points from winning positions in all three games to date, with Ards and Limavady United each coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 before Annagh United’s 3-2 win at Clandeboye Park last weekend having been 2-1 down with a quarter of an hour to go in that one.
Bangor head to Blanchflower Park on Saturday knowing once again that a win will clinch the Playr-Fit Championship title – but the second-placed Welders are themselves merely four points behind and have a spring in their step after a last-gasp 2-1 East Belfast Derby victory over Dundela last time out.
Feeney knows his men will have to battle hard but is confident Bangor’s luck will turn and that his charges have not lost any hunger or determination from what he’s seeing in training.
“I think we’ve been unlucky throughout the course of the split, we’ve been hard done by in the fine margins and every mistake we’re making, we’re getting punished for them.
“You need a little bit of luck to win a title and we’ve not really had any in the split so far – you know, performances have been okay, I don’t think we’ve got our just rewards at times.
“We’re certainly not relying on luck, you need a wee bit of quality as well, but we’ve not had luck on our side and the teams we’ve played have pounced on that a bit.
“But that’s been and gone now. I’m confident we’ll turn it around – at the same time, luck runs out and it doesn’t last forever, and I feel we’re due a bit of luck, we’re due a big win over someone.
“The players have had a really good training session on Tuesday night – they’re putting the work in, they’re working hard, rolling their sleeves up and they want to get back to winning games again.
“And there’s no hiding it, this next couple of weeks are huge, but the players are showing the hunger and I think they’re ready to rise to the pressure, starting this Saturday.”
Lee Feeney
In the last meeting of the sides on March 18, Bangor lost 4-1 at home to the Welders, who counted on goals from Josh Kee, Lewis Patterson, David Parkhouse and Championship top scorer Michael McLellan to see them over the line.
Larne-bound Kee – the son of Welders manager Paul – got his side rolling before the break, with Ben Cushnie’s late penalty unable to spark a fightback, but Feeney has watched that game back and felt a lack of quality in the first period was all Bangor missed.
He will demand an improvement from then but is confident he knows how to get through Saturday’s hosts this time around.
“I’ve watched the game back where they beat us 4-1 and it was frustrating, particularly in the first half.
“Not even the chances we had, and we had some really good ones, but we missed chances to play the ball, run into space, things like that which cost us in the end.
“We were so dominant for long stretches of the first half but the quality was so poor, and we need to fix that for when we play them this time around.
“But we have been scoring goals and, hopefully, with a bit more luck, we can turn it around and be more clinical, which will make a big difference for us.”
Lee Feeney
Feeney, who was nominated for Manager of the Year at last weekend’s NIFL Awards, also took a moment to reflect on the progress the club has made as he rallies ahead to a final flourish this campaign.
The manager also watched proudly as Ben Arthurs – who will mark seven years at Bangor in the summer, making over 200 appearances and scoring over 150 goals in the process – win both the NI Football League and Professional Footballers Association Championship Player of the Year awards, yet more individual accolades for one of the greatest players in the club’s modern history.
Feeney is focused on the team award to go with that, however, in the form of promotion and the Championship title and has backed the players to roll their sleeves up and get it done.
“The club’s made real strides forward, constant progress, and that’s a hard thing to do over the course of five, six years – we were making progress before, too.
“From starting off in the Ballymena League before I came in, finishing second in the PIL then beat in the play-off, winning the league and the Steel and Sons Cup the season after, having a brilliant season last year and narrowly missing out on a play-off and to be in the position we’re in now having reached an Irish Cup semi-final, it has been a great journey for us.
“Hopefully, the best is yet to come from this season – and personally, I think the players would deserve the title, they’ve been brilliant and we know how tough this league is.
“But we also know nothing’s going to be handed to us, so now is the time to roll our sleeves up and get over the line.
“The Welders are going to be really up for it and with the nature of their win on Saturday (against Dundela), they’re going to be highly motivated and we have to respond to that.
“We’re still in a really good position – it’s all in our own hands, we’re four points clear and, considering the start we had when we had one point from two games, this is where we’ve wanted to be.
“There’s pressure on other teams because they have to win games, we put the pressure on ourselves and that’ll be the case on Saturday – it’ll be a great game.”
Bangor’s lead at the Playr-Fit Championship summit is down to five points after a 3-2 defeat to Annagh United at Clandeboye Park on Friday night.
For all the talk of potential title permutations – three points would have signed and sealed it regardless of Saturday’s results – Annagh struck the first blow of the contest on 13 minutes with the deadlock-breaker at Clandeboye Park.
A run from the prolific Ryan Swan saw him collect the ball and fire past Patrick Solis Grogan to put the Seasiders on the back foot early doors.
But Bangor had their response just before the half-hour – Michael Morgan burying home at the second time of asking following a goalmouth scramble that restored parity and gave the home side a foothold back into the contest.
A change for Annagh on 34 minutes saw former Bangor goalkeeper Jason Craughwell drafted in for starting keeper Joel Little – and four minutes later, he was picking the ball out of his net after Ben Arthurs converted Tom Mathieson’s astute cut-back to put Bangor in front.
It remained that way and for much of a hitherto uneventful second half before Annagh turned the tide with two goals in the final quarter of an hour.
Firstly, on 75 minutes, Swan won a penalty for the Portadown outfit with Kyle Owens duly red-carded in the aftermath, with Nathan Kerr stepping up a minute later to convert past Patrick Solis Grogan and level the scores once again.
A handful of minutes later, a direct free-kick was the route from which Annagh retook the lead – Ruairi McDonald scoring as Ciaran McGurgan’s men led 3-2 with eight minutes to go.
That proved enough to secure the three points for the away side who provisionally move up to second-place in the standings, with Bangor headed for Blanchflower Park to take on H&W Welders next Saturday.
NEXT MATCH: Saturday, 19th April 2025 - H&W WELDERS v BANGOR, Championship, Blanchflower Stadium, 3:00pm
(Posted: Friday, 11th April 2025)
FEENEY THANKS THE FANS
Seasiders manager Lee Feeney has thanked Bangor supporters for their incredible support throughout their NIFL Championship campaign.
Lee said: “The support from the Bangor fans throughout this season has been nothing short of incredible. Like every year, we have our ups and downs, but our supporters have been positive and committed game after game.
“The players and management team have given the fans a lot to be happy about and I know they understand the squad is giving absolutely everything on the pitch for this football club.
“It is evident that the supporters are proud of the team. We are always applauded off the pitch, with fans shouting words of encouragement, and I know this really helps push the team on. It feels like we are as close as family.”
Bangor play Annagh Utd on Friday night at Clandeboye Park in a Player Fit Championship match, kick-off at 19:45.
Lee continued: “We have another huge challenge on Friday night against tough opposition. I know our supporters will come out in numbers and will make some noise as we aim to get over the line. Our home support is second to none in this league and it is growing match by match. We all really appreciate the support and certainly don’t take it for granted.
“The energy, verbal support and positivity from our fans makes a huge difference to the team. We feed off the backing and will do so again on Friday night, to make this a season to remember.”
Lewis Harrison expects Bangor to face a fired-up Annagh United at Clandeboye Park on Friday night and insists his team-mates must meet the challenge head-on.
Once again, the Seasiders have the chance to clinch the Playr-Fit Championship title once and for all – but talk of that has been kept to a minimum, with the captain declaring that ending a three-game winless run across all competitions is the side’s focus above all else.
Annagh United are third-place and eight points behind Bangor, and just as three points will secure the league crown for the Yellows, victory for the Portadown outfit helmed by Ciaran McGurgan will at least provisionally lift them above H&W Welders into second spot and a promotion play-off against Carrick Rangers.
What’s more, Limavady United only trail Annagh on goal difference ahead of their own trip to Clandeboye Park to face Ards the following day so it’s high stakes across the board, but Harrison says that should only fuel Bangor’s motivation further for Friday night’s encounter.
“The split’s mad, and it’s meant to be tough and that’s how it should be – everyone’s going to drop points, they’re all playing each other.
“Look how tight it is with the three teams below us. There’s only a one-point difference with Annagh, the Welders and Limavady, and there’s no doubt about it – Annagh will be up for it on Friday night, definitely.
“We’ll get two good training sessions in this week, work hard, knuckle down and we’ll put it right again. We just want to get back to winning games again, put right the things we’ve got wrong and we need to be as hungry as they’ll be.
“It’s going to be another tough game, but at the same time, we have confidence in ourselves and we want to go out and win the game.”
Lewis Harrison
(Posted: Thursday, 10th April 2025)
LEWIS ON LIMAVADY
Captain Lewis Harrison admits Bangor have to be better at closing out games after the Seasiders let slip a two-goal lead for the second time in a row.
Limavady United struck two late goals – including a last-gasp equaliser from a corner – at the Rathmore Road Showgrounds on Saturday to grab a 2-2 draw and a share of the spoils when Bangor had earlier looked comfortable at 2-0 up.
It followed on from Ards’ late equaliser in midweek that grabbed them a draw by the same scoreline in the last North Down Derby of the season, and Harrison says the Yellows have to hit back after those two stalemates.
“I’m sure the fans were raging – our heads were melted.
“For their first goal, the wind definitely caught it (the cross), it looked like it was heading away and then it swung back in and caught us out a bit and they got a goal out of it.
“After that, they had a bit of belief and they threw everything at us and we didn’t throw everything back.
“It’s twice in a row we’ve had two-goal leads and let them slip. That can’t be happening, it’s not good enough. That’s probably the most frustrating thing about it.
“I thought for 75 minutes, we were brilliant. They couldn’t lay a hand on us, and then the first goal went in and our heads just dropped, we have to be better than that.”
Lewis Harrison
Harrison also addressed Bangor’s recent wobbles in defending set-pieces, with four of the last five goals the Seasiders have conceded coming from a corner or throw-in.
While the 25-year-old says the players have generally taken pride from how they have dealt with these scenarios across the season but insists they will be working hard to set the record straight for the final three matches of the campaign.
As a result of Emmett McGuckin’s leveller in the seventh minute of stoppage-time, Bangor’s lead at the Playr-Fit Championship summit is down from eight points to seven with Harland and Wolff Welders moving into second spot – and Harrison has rallied for a big response.
“We have to fix it (conceding set-piece goals) for the last few games. We’ve been defending well from those situations all season and now we’re in the middle of a run where we’re not and we’ve conceded a few goals because of that.
“It’s just one of those things – you have wee runs in the season where things that work for you suddenly don’t, and that’s what’s happening with us at the minute with set-pieces.
“I don’t really know what’s going wrong with that but we’ll be working hard at them during training and hopefully put that right because it’s costing us points.”
Lewis Harrison
On a positive note, midfielder Harrison fired home his ninth goal of the season to double his side’s lead three minutes before half-time and it was perhaps his best yet – a fine first-time volley that rocketed into the net.
He also reserved praise for fellow goalscorer Tiarnan Mulvenna – comparatively a much rarer presence on the scoresheet having netted his second finish this term to open the scoring – after an energetic performance in the middle of the park that helped Bangor produce an assertive display for the bulk of the game.
Mulvenna, who is also Bangor’s top assister on 14 this term, converted after taking Reece Neale’s ball over the top in his stride and lofting over the onrushing Martin Gallagher into the back of the net on 32 minutes.
“It was like Portadown last season, only this time it was with my left foot. It fell nicely for me and I put my boot through it, it was a sweet strike and it gave us the 2-0 lead at half-time.
“I’ve always been getting into those positions but haven’t been clinical from them in the past and, thankfully, that’s changed this season – and long may that continue.
“I thought Tiarnan as well, he was unbelievable. The energy he has, I don’t know how he does it, he just never stops.
“He’s a big player for us in midfield as someone who just gets the ball down and plays with it, and the creativity he has and all the assists he’s got this season have been massive.
“He’ll be happy with the goal as well. That’s the one thing he’ll probably say himself, he doesn’t score enough goals and it was a great finish, just lobbed it over the keeper and it made sure we were in a good position early in the game.”
Bangor still have work to do to secure the Playr-Fit Championship title after a last-minute Limavady United equaliser on Saturday saw their lead cut to seven points with just three matches to play.
The Seasiders held a two-goal lead courtesy of Tiarnan Mulvenna and Lewis Harrison goals in the first half but saw the deficit halved through Adam Mullan seven minutes from time before veteran striker Emmett McGuckin secured a share of the spoils for the Roesiders with the game’s last meaningful kick – seven minutes into stoppage-time.
It means that while Bangor do move into 70-point territory, their lead is down from nine points to seven with Harland and Wolff Welders their closest challengers again following their own 5-2 victory over Ards at Clandeboye Park.
Annagh United – who are Bangor’s next opponents on Friday night – move into third having overcome Dundela 2-0 and stay a point off the Welders, while Limavady drop to fourth but only trail the Portadown outfit on goal difference.
The game at the Rathmore Road Showgrounds started well for the visitors and they broke the deadlock with 32 minutes gone through Mulvenna, who notched his second goal of the season when he delicately lobbed a well-placed Reece Neale ball over the top beyond the onrushing Martin Gallagher and into the net.
Just 10 minutes later, the lead was two with captain Harrison converting his ninth goal of the campaign – and this was probably his best yet.
After a ball into the box was only half-cleared, the midfielder proceeded to lash a gorgeous volley beyond Gallagher and into the back of the net to ensure Lee Feeney’s men had a firm grip on the contest before the interval.
It stayed that way until 83 minutes when former Coleraine defender Mullan picked out the bottom corner when Michael McCrudden’s inswinging cross was caught by the wind and appeared to catch out Patrick Solis Grogan, who couldn’t get a firm grip on the ball, and Mullan was first to react to give Limavady hope.
And Paul Owens’ side duly made that momentum count seven minutes into stoppage-time when a corner from the left was powered in by McGuckin, who bulleted a header into the back of the net to salvage a point for the hosts.
NEXT MATCH: Friday, 11.04.2025 - BANGOR v ANNAGH UNITED, Clandeboye Park, Championship, 7:45pm
(Posted: Saturday, 5th April 2025)
LIMAVADY UNITED v BANGOR
There’s a mathematical chance Bangor can officially become champions of the Playr-Fit Championship this weekend – but you certainly won’t be hearing that from Lee Feeney.
If the Seasiders defeat Limavady United at the Rathmore Road Showgrounds on Saturday and Ards simultaneously pick up at least a point off H&W Welders at Clandeboye Park, then
Feeney’s men will be competing in the Sports Direct Premiership in the 2025/26 campaign.
But the Bangor boss isn’t interested in title talk – he’s purely focused on making sure his players heed the warnings following Tuesday night’s 2-2 derby draw with Ards and put a performance in against Paul Owens’ impressive second-placed Roesiders, who are eight points behind their weekend visitors but also dropped points in midweek by drawing 1-1 away to Dundela.
The Kilkeel supremo, who will be without the suspended Caomhan McGuinness but has a full deck to choose from otherwise, wants an improved display and a victory above all else.
“Limavady are dangerous and they have a lot of threats in their side, they’ve beaten us before (3-1 at Clandeboye in August). They have a lot of players who can cause us problems.
“There’s areas where we have to show improvement, particularly in how we’ve defended set-pieces in the past couple of games.
“It’s another really, really tough game for us, that’s how it’s going to be for every game in the split and there’s still a lot we have to do – things aren’t going to be settled in the first couple of games because everyone will be up for it.
“We certainly won’t take Limavady lightly and we know they’re still fighting hard, so it’s up to us to match their intensity and pick up three points.”
Bangor manager Lee Feeney was disappointed with Tuesday night’s North Down Derby draw with Ards but insists it is all part of the challenge the post-split schedule is meant to pose.
The Seasiders were 2-0 up courtesy of Ben Arthurs’ brace inside the opening half-hour, with the Kircubbin marksman’s two goals coming on 23 and 28 minutes. But Darius Roohi replied for Ards just a minute after Arthurs’ second and Zach Barr – recently back from a long-term injury layoff – notched up an equaliser one minute from time to ensure it finished all square.
Feeney felt John Bailie’s Red and Blues were good value for their point and admitted his side weren’t at their best, but he wants that to serve as a reminder that the going is meant to be tough at this stage of the season.
He added that a fixture slate that saw only Annagh United pick up three points in Section A of the split – they conquered H&W Welders 4-2 at the BMG Arena, while Limavady United who leapfrogged the Welders into second spot also only did so with one point after a 1-1 draw at Dundela – is proof of that and will reinforce that message going into Saturday afternoon’s trip to Limavady.
“I think with the way the game ended, we were obviously disappointed, but I thought Ards played well. to be fair – I thought they deserved something from the game.
“I thought we were far from our best, we weren’t as good as we can be, but that’s also the split for you. There’s no teams that are going to lie down like they’ve nothing to play for.
“I think that’s shown with the results; if you look at them, five of the six teams have dropped points and only one team is sitting on maximum points going into Saturday.
“It’s hard, you can’t go into the split expecting to win five games in a row – you’re not going to have things settled in the first or second game, it’s meant to be hard and it’s meant to be challenging for teams, and it’s up to us to respond to that.
“We’ve got a big game on Saturday now and we certainly won’t be taking Limavady lightly.”
Lee Feeney
Feeney lamented two set-piece goal concessions to add to Dean Curry’s clinching header from a corner in Bangor’s 2-0 Irish Cup semi-final defeat to Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.
Roohi picked out the bottom right corner past Patrick Solis Grogan when Connor Maxwell’s corner wasn’t sufficiently cleared before Barr slammed home on 89 minutes from a long throw-in down the right to level for Ards.
The Kilkeel supremo insists he will watch the footage back and says that is something he will strive to put right in the Yellows’ remaining four encounters.
“We take pride in our defending, we take pride in defending set-pieces, and to concede from two of them in the same game is very, very disappointing, and Ards took advantage.
“That’s now three goals in two games that we’ve conceded from a set-piece, and we have to put that right.
“We’ll get a good look at them this week, I’ll probably watch the game back on Thursday and the highlights to look back at where we should’ve done better because for us, those are really frustrating goals to concede.
“On the plus side, we have got a few bodies back who weren’t available for us on Saturday and we’re going to need every one of them going into these last few games.
“As I say, every team is going to take points off each other in the split and every game will be important. The results have worked out for us if we’re being honest, but we need everybody pulling together going into these last four games.”
Lee Feeney
On that last point, Feeney drafted Robbie Garrett and Tiarnan Mulvenna back into midfield after the duo sat out Saturday’s reverse due to suspension, while Solis Grogan came back in between the sticks as did the cup-tied Jack Reilly at left-back with Michael Morgan elevated from the bench in the fifth Bangor alteration.
Lewis Harrison, Kyle Owens and Ben Cushnie were all named on the bench, while Matthew Ferguson was also back among the replacements after missing Bangor’s last two through illness and Liam Hassin was rested entirely as Feeney looks to manage his squad.
He has a full contingent available but must go without Caomhan McGuinness for the next two games after the defender picked up his 10th yellow card in this Championship season.
“The players that came back in, Tiarnan, Ribsy, Pat, we were obviously glad to have them back in the side and we’re going to need everybody pulling their weight.
“Lewis got 45 minutes, Kyle got 45 minutes in the second half, Liam was rested. It was good to have Spike back on the bench, too, he’s back with us now after he was sick.
“We’ve a full squad available, I believe – except Ceevo, he’s now suspended for two games.
“There were quite a lot of cards in the game and we’re going to have to manage that, even I got booked! We’d like to avoid any more suspensions if we can as we will need everybody.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025)
FOOTBALL TACKLING HUNGER
Football is tackling hunger – and Bangor Football Club is leading the charge.
As a club, we are rooted in our community and care about our fans which is why we believe that hunger has no place in Bangor or in the UK as a whole. Yet 1 in 7 people are experiencing hunger and hardship and it’s likely that many of our community are struggling to afford the essentials. It is not right that some of our fans will be skipping meals in order to be able to feed their kids, or having to choose between putting on the heating or the bus fare to work.
That’s why Bangor FC is supporting ‘Football vs Hunger’, a campaign led by anti-poverty charity Trussell who work alongside a community of more than 1,400 food banks across the UK. Bangor Foodbank & Community Support is one such foodbank whose chairman is our Club Chaplain Gary Faulkner.
The campaign aims to unite the football community and call for urgent action to relegate hunger to history.
Hunger in the UK isn’t a food problem – it’s a money problem. If everyone has enough money to for the essentials, we’ll end hunger for good. We know what needs to change to make this future possible, but we can only get there with everyone playing their part.
Football has a proud history of leading the way in shaping a better society, by uniting as one voice. 82% of football fans believe that food banks shouldn’t exist, and you do us proud each and every day across our community putting this belief into action – from charity fundraisers to food drives for our local food bank. But food alone is not the answer, and that is why we have committed to helping to end hunger by signing the Football vs Hunger charter and we hope you will join us. All of us at the club encourage you to Click below and join football’s fight against hunger, and sign for Trussell FC – the only other team we’ll wholeheartedly encourage you to support.
By joining this campaign, Bangor FC and our fans will again stand together to say that it’s simply not acceptable that anybody should experience hunger in the UK.
Together we can create a better future, and make hunger history.
(Posted: Wednesday, 2nd April 2025)
BANGOR 2-2 ARDS
Bangor avoided defeat for a seventh successive North Down Derby but this one had a feeling of two points dropped rather than one gained in a 2-2 draw with Ards at Clandeboye Park.
The Seasiders led 2-0 through Ben Arthurs, but Darius Roohi replied to the Kircubbin striker’s second goal almost immediately on the half-hour mark before Zach Barr snatched a point for the ‘visitors’ one minute from time.
With Annagh United beating H&W Welders 4-2 at the BMG Arena and Limavady United forced to settle for a 1-1 draw away to Dundela, results at least went Bangor’s way and it means there is still a chance of Lee Feeney’s men wrapping up the Playr-Fit Championship title mathematically on Saturday when they visit the Limavady Showgrounds.
Things started well for a Bangor side that featured five changes from the Irish Cup semi-final defeat to Dungannon Swifts three days earlier – suspended duo Robbie Garrett and Tiarnan Mulvenna, the cup-tied Jack Reilly and loan-ineligible Patrick Solis Grogan all re-entered the side while Michael Morgan was elevated from the bench – with Arthurs breaking the deadlock on 23 minutes from Caomhan McGuinness’ through-ball.
Arthurs doubled the hosts’ advantage five minutes later after Ross Hunter spurned a gilt-edged opportunity immediately beforehand, deftly flicking over the onrushing Alex Moore from Jack O'Mahony's sublime floated ball over the top, but Roohi required merely a minute to offer a reply for Ards when he slotted past Solis Grogan after the ball pinballed around from a corner to halve the deficit.
From there, chances came and went at both ends before, on 89 minutes, former Newington and Portadown striker Barr capitalised after a long throw-in from the right and rescued a point for Ards that also confirmed a third successive draw between the two sides.
It also maintains Bangor’s eight-point lead at the Championship summit, moving up to 69 points – exceeding last term’s whole-season tally –ahead of new second-placed outfit Limavady on 61 ahead of the weekend’s meeting.
Bangor boss Lee Feeney is demanding a speedy response to Saturday’s Irish Cup semi-final defeat when the Seasiders face Ards at Clandeboye Park in the first of the post-split fixtures in the Playr-Fit Championship.
In a clash of losing semi-finalists at the weekend – Bangor’s 2-0 defeat to Dungannon Swifts at Seaview followed their North Down neighbours’ 3-0 reverse at the hands of Cliftonville at Windsor Park on Friday – both sides will aim to hit back with a win to kickstart the final five games in the second-tier this season.
Bangor hold an eight-point lead over H&W Welders and Limavady United at the summit and will look to extend that advantage if possible to close out the title and a place in next term’s Sports Direct Premiership.
And Feeney insists his side will have no issues motivating themselves for a derby showdown where the Yellows will look to extend their unbeaten run in the fixture to seven matches.
“It’s a big week for us. Thankfully, we’ve a big match on Tuesday night against Ards – we’ll have no problem picking ourselves up for that.
“It’s something to look forward to because we’re feeling a wee bit of pain and hurt, and there’s nothing better than getting a game as soon as you can to go and try and fix that, make it right.
“So, it’s a lovely game for us on Tuesday night.”
Lee Feeney
Feeney is also delighted to welcome back some players who missed the semi-final defeat to Dungannon, where Dean Curry’s second-half header followed up an earlier Kyle Owens own goal in north Belfast.
Suspended midfielders Tiarnan Mulvenna and Robbie Garrett are in line to return as is Patrick Solis Grogan, with the goalkeeper ineligible to face the club he is on loan from.
Matthew Ferguson has missed Bangor’s last two games through illness while the cup-tied Jack Reilly could also feature, and the Kilkeel supremo would be pleased to have them fit and firing for Tuesday’s derby.
“There’s three players (Mulvenna, Garrett and Solis Grogan) who will probably start for us on Tuesday night who would probably have been very important for us, and then obviously Spike’s sick at the minute – I think that game on Saturday would probably have suited him.
“On the positive side – and then you have a few who were cup-tied – they’re now fresh for Tuesday.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Monday, 31st March 2025)
BANGOR v ARDS
Bangor manager Lee Feeney admitted Dungannon Swifts’ clinical edge was a difference-maker following the Seasiders’ Irish Cup semi-final defeat at Seaview on Saturday evening.
It was a spirited performance on the night but an own goal from the backpedalling Kyle Owens in the first half was added to by Swifts captain Dean Curry’s bullet header seven minutes from time that ultimately clinched a spot in the decider for the Co Tyrone side.
Feeney praised the defensive performance from his charges but lamented a “killer” second goal from the Sports Direct Premiership side when Bangor had applied most of the attacking pressure during the second period.
He also added that “hurt” and “regret” were the overriding emotions in the changing room after the game but took positives from the fact that his men caused Rodney McAree’s Swifts problems in north Belfast and had a launchpad from which they could’ve got a result from.
“I think Dungannon were clinical in both boxes, I thought we defended really, really well.
“The second goal was a killer for us. I think had we got the second goal in the game, it would have changed things; I felt if there was one team that was going to get it, it was going to be us, and I think most of the crowd felt it.
“But they’re a quality side. Their mentality was probably better than ours tonight, they dealt with anything and they were confident and they believed they were going to get the second goal, which they did.
“I think we should’ve been a wee bit better, our mentality should’ve been a wee bit better. But I think we’re all hurt and we all have a bit of regret.
“If we want to go and compete in the Premiership, we need to be better than that if we want to compete consistently, but I do think we caused them problems and perhaps they feared us a wee bit at times in that second half.
“But we need to be better if we want to play in the Premiership week in, week out. We know that, the boys are disappointed, but we’ve something to bounce back to on Tuesday night and we can hit back quickly (against Ards at Clandeboye Park in the first of five Playr-Fit Championship post-split fixtures).”
Lee Feeney
Feeney was disappointed at what he felt were two cheap goals to concede across each half.
The opener saw Swifts frontman Andy Mitchell collect Guinea-Bissau international Leo Alves’ floated ball over the top before lifting it over James Taylor, with Owens miscuing a headed clearance that ended up in the back of the net.
Curry’s header from Kealan Dillon’s left-sided corner that ultimately wrapped up the Swifts’ spot in the decider was another Feeney felt could’ve been handled better – but the Kilkeel supremo admits it could’ve been better at the top end too, particularly after the restart when long-distance Owens and Reece Neale efforts stung the palms of Swifts stopper Declan Dunne and Michael Morgan and Lewis Harrison also went close with headers inside the box.
“I thought the two goals we conceded in the game were poor. On our behalf, we should be dealing with that better.
“We take pride in our defending and I felt we could’ve done better there, and when you concede goals, you’re giving the other team an advantage.
“I do think we should’ve been better in the final third as well and you’ve got to sometimes bail each other out – if the defence don’t keep their clean sheet, then you need the forwards there to try and overcome it and do better, but we didn’t do it today.
“I felt in both boxes, we maybe weren’t quite ourselves.
“I’d need to look back at the second goal too, it was poor on our behalf, but the second goal was a killer. We needed to get that to give ourselves hope.”
Although fine margins worked against the Championship table-toppers in the end, Feeney was in no doubt as to just how much his players put into the game.
A decisive final touch was just lacking, the Bangor boss expected a strong effort from his side and duly got one that can spur the Seasiders on in the final five games of the league.
“We’ll always give everything, always. We’ll always give everything – we might not always have the quality, but one thing is we’ll compete and try our best.
“That’s all you can ask for, and they did do that. So I’m proud of them in that way, I always am, but we just lacked that quality where we expect a bit better.”
Feeney also believes his men will be stronger for the experience and, 19 years on from Bangor’s previous Irish Cup semi-final experience when his assistant John Douglas and
brother Cullen featured on the pitch that day, reckons it won’t be as long a wait for the Seasiders’ next time featuring in the last-four.
“Well, hopefully it’s not our last time – and I don’t think it will be, to be honest. We’ll push on from this and we’ll be better, I’m sure of it.”
Bangor's Irish Cup journey ended at the semi-final stage on Saturday night with a 2-0 defeat to Sports Direct Premiership opponents Dungannon Swifts at a packed Seaview.
Bangor threatened early doors when a ball in behind from Caomhan McGuinness on five minutes was latched onto by Ben Arthurs, who outpaced Danny Wallace to square across the face of goal, but the Kircubbin marksman just couldn't find a team-mate in the box with his low cross.
Dungannon's first look at goal came courtesy of James Knowles, with the playmaker's curled shot from the edge of the area on target but safely held by Taylor on 10 minutes.
But on their second look, they made no mistake at Bangor's expense. A ball in behind found Andrew Mitchell, who lofted over James Taylor, and the backpeddaling Kyle Owens couldn't clear off the line as John McGovern lurked and it ended up in the net to put the Premiership ahead with 16 minutes gone.
A wayward Adam Glenny attempt was almost rescued by McGovern, only for Liam Hassin's fine tackle to stop the young striker – but Bangor still needed more in the attacking department with that Arthurs opportunity the only time Dunne had been troubled in the first half-hour.
The Swifts stopper had to be on his guard on 37 minutes when Bangor captain Lewis Harrison lofted a delicate ball for Arthurs to chase, but Dunne got out and won a free-kick off the striker in a nervy moment for the keeper off his line. Five minutes later, Arthurs forced a corner off Dungannon skipper Dean Curry having put him under pressure from Scott McArthur's enticing cross – but Callum Byers got the ball caught under his feet as he tried to convert from the resulting delivery from the right.
Bangor ended the first half the stronger but still trailed at the interval and knew a big response was needed in the second period.
Dungannon's Curry had the first of the half, though – a header from Knowles' looping free-kick from the right that hung in the air before trickling wide of Taylor's goal. Bangor's first chance up the other end, also from a free-kick, was a direct effort from the guts of 35 yards by Reece Neale that stung Dunne's palms on 48 minutes.
Kealan Dillon blazed one over up the other way when he was in a position to shoot, while former Newcastle midfielder Gael Birigimana missed the target shortly after for the Co Tyrone men. Up the other end on 56 minutes, Neale saw an inswinging corner land straight in Dunne's gloves as Bangor threatened.
The nippy McGovern then drew a low stop from Taylor's feet when he fizzed a shot low towards the bottom left on the stroke of the hour, while McArthur's cross after skipping by Knowles found O'Mahony whose shot was deflected behind by Bigirimana on 62.
A succession of long Bangor throws then caused issues for Dungannon as the Seasiders began to turn the heat up. A free-kick then presented itself after Bigirimana fouled O'Mahony which Neale looped in and Dunne punched behind – O'Mahony's corner was deep and came to no avail.
Michael Morgan replaced Ben Cushnie in an attack-minded change from Lee Feeney midway through the half – but Kyle Owens was next to have a go audaciously from long range and called on Dunne to be on his guard to save with his body on 72 minutes. Bangor had most of the chances in the second half but struggled to force a breakthrough up to here.
Another opportunity came and went when Harrison headed over McArthur's ball after O'Mahony's corner was played short on 75. Jordan Hughes replaced McArthur in a switch of Bangor natives as the Seasiders kept up the pressure – and he only just miscued from Arthurs' headed layoff as he eyed an instant impact.
Morgan's header from another Arthurs flick was held by Dunne on 81 minutes, with Neale's long throws a constant source of attacks for Bangor in the second period. But the next effort was to result in a goal – though not at the end Bangor wanted as Curry's downward header from a left-sided corner doubled Dungannon's advantage with 82 minutes gone.
Still with time to go but a greater mountain to climb, Bangor searched for a response – but Dungannon were within a woodwork and fortunate bounce of a third with four minutes to go as Swifts substitute Tomas Galvin's low strike rattled off the inside the post or Taylor before the goalkeeper recovered to hold.
The game petered out thereafter with the Swifts looking to close it out and book their Final slot and the substantial Seasiders following continuing to cheer, which was confirmed when referee Tony Clarke's final whistle blew.
Bangor's focus now turns to Championship only for the rest of the season – but such a cup run can surely provide inspiration going forward and it was a night when the players really did do the club and North Down football proud.
John Douglas knows a thing or two about representing Bangor in an Irish Cup semi-final – and he’s hoping to go one better as an assistant manager 19 years on from wearing the yellow and blue shirt in it as a player.
Douglas is one of a few parallels among the Seasiders contingent between past and present given Lee Feeney’s brother Cullen was his team-mate then and striker Matthew Ferguson’s renowned goalscoring father Glenn was in the Linfield side that ultimately came out on top.
And they don’t stop there – after David Jeffrey’s Blues beat their Championship opponents 3-1 at Seaview, the same venue Bangor are bound for to face Dungannon Swifts in 2025, a certain Michael Halliday scored in the Final for Glentoran before Peter Thompson’s brace marked a comeback 2-1 triumph and Linfield Clean Sweep that year.
Reflecting on the occasion 19 years on and what he learned as a player, Douglas says that his own perspective playing in such a prestigious fixture will influence pre-match preparations for a current crop of Bangor heroes.
“I remember that season, we had a very good season. We went, I think it was something like 14 games unbeaten in the league prior to the semi-final.
“We had a couple of good results in the Irish Cup and obviously a good cup run. It was a nice distraction from the league, but we missed out on promotion – that was probably the main goal at the start of the season.
“We were going in against Linfield at Seaview and find ourselves down to 10 men after about 10, 15 minutes of the game which obviously made it difficult.
“But we gave a good account of ourselves in the end and it was a good experience for us as players.
“As an assistant manager, you take more responsibility. When you’re in the coaching staff or you’re the assistant manager, you’ve a squad to manage, you’ve to look after every player.
“When you’re a player, you’re sort of making sure you’re ready and you’re right and you’re mentally right and you prepare right.
“But it’s one of them occasions that players love to be a part of, and when I was part of it, I probably didn’t realise that would be my last opportunity to play in such a prestigious game.
“That’s probably the message we’ll be giving our players going into Saturday – ensure that, first and foremost, they prepare properly for it, and secondly, they don’t let the occasion get to them, that they go and actually embrace the challenge and enjoy it and show the capabilities that they have.
“We know the quality’s there within the squad to go and give a good account of ourselves.”
John Douglas
It’s quite the setting for the first-ever meeting of Dungannon and Bangor in the Irish Cup – and Douglas has full respect for the job Rodney McAree has done in Co Tyrone this term.
The Swifts have broken into the Premiership top six this term and are targeting an all-time great campaign by qualifying for Europe, not even mentioning their own ambitions in the blue-riband knock-out tournament.
But Douglas has backed the Bangor players to relish the challenge this weekend of facing a top Premiership opponent and targeting a famous upset, just like in the quarter-finals with that awe-inspiring 3-1 victory over Glentoran at Clandeboye Park.
“Dungannon’s had a fantastic season. They’ve been absolutely fantastic and, in my opinion, they’re probably the team of the year.
“Nobody expected Dungannon to be sitting where they are at this stage of the season and deservedly so – they’ve had some fantastic results.
“They have some fantastic players, a good mix of experience and youth coming through.
“They’ve a well-documented great youth set-up there and they give players opportunities. Over the years they’ve done that and it’s starting to take fruition now where they have that good mix.
“Where Dungannon are isn’t a lie – they’ve deserved it, they’ve deserved all the accolades they’ve got this season.
“We’re under no illusions, we know exactly what we’re going in to face – we’re facing a top-quality team that’s fighting for Europe and probably at this stage of the season, they expect to get into Europe, so that’s what we’re up against.
“But it’ll be a good challenge for our players. Our players have had a good season themselves in the Championship and this is another step up.
“Everybody’s expecting Dungannon to win the game, but we’ll be going in with a game-plan and hoping that if we get opportunities, we can take them and hope they have an off day.”
John Douglas
Douglas went on to praise the supporters for backing the players through all the highs and lows of this term and stressed how the players have bounced off the fans’ cheer.
After the initial 1,500 allocation at Seaview was sold out a week before the big game, extra Bangor tickets were made available such has been the demand within the local area.
For the dressing room’s part, excitement has been palpably growing and cup fever is starting to grip the squad – and the assistant manager commented that it has been a weight off the Bangor players’ shoulders in the last few weeks.
“The supporters have been superb all season and, obviously, with the success we’re having on the pitch, you can see the excitement off the pitch with the supporters.
“Over the last two, three years, you know, you’ve seen it gradually get bigger and bigger, the town’s getting behind us and supporting the boys.
“There’s been some tough games this season, some tough results this season, and they’ve stuck by the players and the players have come out and reacted in the right manner and really made the supporters proud.
“When we’re successful on the pitch, then we know we’ll get a good support off the pitch.
“It’s a super occasion for us – I know the league’s been our priority, and there are other cup competitions where you find yourself playing on Tuesday evenings and for part-time players, it’s difficult to play three games in a week and give it 100 per cent energy.
“So, there are times when we have to make decisions and use the squad, but we trust the squad – against Cliftonville earlier in the season (a 1-0 home defeat in the BetMcLean Cup on November 5), it was a Tuesday evening and we made lots of changes and the players still gave a really good account of ourselves.
“With the Irish Cup, it normally falls on a Saturday and you have a week’s rest between games, so it gives you the opportunity to go with what you’d see as a full-strength team.
“Obviously, we try and make competition for places, and there is competition for places within our squad, but this game here, it’s been a good distraction from the league.
“Sometimes mentally, it can weigh you down, but over the last few weeks, we’ve seen with the players, the excitement’s been growing in the dressing room with such a prestigious game coming up for the club.
“For that reason, in my opinion, it’s been a positive that we’ve had a good Irish Cup run.”
John Douglas
As regards the mentality Bangor will approach the encounter with, Douglas says it will just be the same as usual – the players will never enter a game believing they can’t win it.
Although on-loan goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan is ineligible to face his parent club and midfield duo Robbie Garrett and Tiarnan Mulvenna are suspended on Saturday due to an accumulation of bookings, that won’t deter the squad with Douglas encouraging all the players to stand up and be counted on the day.
“There’s not a game we’ll play where we won’t believe we can go and win it.
“It’s a mentality that we’ve tried to instil within the dressing room from the day and hour we came to the club that we can go out and, first and foremost, the players believe that we can go out and beat anybody.
“There’s no point turning up if you don’t believe you can get something out of the game, if you don’t believe you can win the game.
“Every game we go into now, we have the expectation of ourselves to win – and that’ll be the same on Saturday.
“We’ll be going in with a game-plan and we’ll be expecting within our dressing room to create an upset. We have big characters in our dressing room who can help with that.
“They can help the younger and less experienced players on the day to produce the quality that we know they have.
“There’s the experience that the likes of Robert Garrett brings, he’s been there, done it, wore the T-shirt, and with him missing, it is a blow.
“But we’ve no doubt the players will go and give a good account of ourselves and, hopefully, we can go and create an upset and go into the Final of the Irish Cup.”
John Douglas
(Posted: Thursday, 27th March 2025)
SEMI-FINAL TICKET INFORMATION
Due to incredible demand we have now secured additional Bangor tickets for Saturday‘s Irish Cup semi final.
Buy tickets for the fonaCAB Stand and help turn Seaview yellow and blue.
Hard work is the key to success for Jack O’Mahony and the Bangor midfielder felt that shone through in the best possible way in the Seasiders’ 2-0 Playr-Fit Championship victory away to Dundela on Saturday.
An eye-catching performance from the 25-year-old in the middle of the park was rewarded with a superb assist for Ben Arthurs’ deadlock-breaker before Michael Morgan clinched the three points deep into stoppage-time after Scott McArthur did fine work to set him up.
Overall, while there were moments of frustration as chances were missed prior to Arthurs’ opener on 69 minutes at Wilgar Park, it was a resilient display from the visitors in difficult weather conditions that O’Mahony was glad to be a part of.
The Randalstown man also felt he owed himself a performance after feeling he fell short of his own standards on his last start in the previous Friday night’s 4-1 victory over Newington, but a standing ovation when he was substituted off for Liam Hassin four minutes from time in this one showed he more than rose to the occasion here.
“It’s one of those ones where last Friday, I wasn’t too good on the pitch so I thought I had to do more for the team.
“I felt I had to work hard, and that’s the way the team is. As long as we work hard, then we all bounce off each other and that’s the best way we can play.
“Obviously today, we just kept digging in. We probably should’ve scored a few goals before we did, but we kept digging in and then that sort of happens.
“We get the goal, and then that’s the game for us.
“It’s a hard pitch to play on, you know, it’s very small and we knew that going in even from the warm-up, it was bobbly.
“We knew it was going to be one of those games that we would have to grind it out and, to be fair, to a man, I thought everyone – even though we had points where we were missing chances and we were getting a bit annoyed – I think we always worked hard for each other.
“And it’s a great team to be at when you’ve got those qualities, and that’s what gets us through games and that’s just what we have to do from now to the end of the season.”
Jack O'Mahony
O’Mahony came on as a second-half substitute in Tuesday night’s disappointing 4-1 defeat to H&W Welders in what was first-versus-second joust at Clandeboye Park and offered a candid insight into Bangor’s mentality on the back of that loss.
He said the Seasiders aimed to use their hurt as motivation for the rest of the campaign and that it would not define the rest of their season – and how they responded at the Hen Run.
As a result, Bangor’s lead is back up to eight points going into the split after the Welders lost 2-0 at Newington, while Limavady United are also among the chasing pack having clawed to level terms on 60 points with the east Belfast side following their 3-1 win over Newry City.
O’Mahony saluted the “unbelievable togetherness” of Lee Feeney’s squad and insists it is all systems go from now on.
“Tuesday night was one of those ones where we’ve been going so well up to that point and I think it was just… we just didn’t show up and we know everyone can do better than that.
“It was one of those games where it just happens, we didn’t show up but we said that’s not going to define the rest of our season.
“We’re going to put that on the back burner, we’re going to use that as motivation for the rest of the season, and that’s what we did today.
“Even when it wasn’t going right, the thing is we have the fire in the belly, ice in the head as Feeno would always say, and that’s what we went out and did today.
“Even at the start, probably should’ve had a goal or two, even Ben – but that doesn’t affect Ben because you see at the end there, he comes back and he gets a goal.
“You’ve got the subs coming on, Scotty did unbelievable to set up the second goal, Mick scoring, Liam, everyone put a shift in when we needed to.
“And that’s a great way to be as a team, the togetherness is unbelievable.
“We haven’t conceded too many either. Obviously Tuesday night blew that up a bit, but even near the end, they’re running through and Big Kyle (Owens) makes a last-ditch tackle.
“And that’s what you need sometimes, teams are going to get chances but you can limit them to very little and you’ve got a very good chance of winning games.”
Jack O'Mahony
On his time at Bangor so far since joining from Ballymena United in January, O’Mahony – who has played 10 times in yellow and blue to date – insists he is loving life by the seaside.
The versatile playmaker, who also enjoyed a two-year spell with Coleraine prior to linking up with the Sky Blues and also rose through the ranks at Glenavon, is enjoying his football and took double-quick time to settle in thanks to the coaching staff and players’ welcome.
“I’ve loved it since I’ve came. The past few clubs I’ve been at haven’t went as well for me and my confidence was a wee bit low.
“But as soon as I came in here, Feeno and the rest of the coaching staff and the players, they’ve welcomed me from the very start.
“It’s made it a lot easier to settle in, and Feeno, any time I’m playing, he just tells me to go out and express myself.
“As long as I put the hard work in, you’ll get your chances so that’s what I’ll keep on doing.”
Michael Morgan was pleased to play his part in a bounce-back win for Bangor as Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Dundela reopened an eight-point lead at the Playr-Fit Championship summit.
Morgan’s fifth goal for the Seasiders since his January arrival from Ballyclare Comrades in the fourth minute of stoppage-time rubber-stamped the three points after Ben Arthurs’ header from Jack O’Mahony’s fine cross powered the visitors in front on 69 minutes at Wilgar Park.
It was a win that required patience and resilience in inclement weather in east Belfast, but a battling success lifts Bangor up to 68 points and offers a momentum boost heading into both the split and Saturday’s Irish Cup semi-final versus Dungannon Swifts.
Teenage frontman Morgan admits the Hen Run’s tight pitch always makes it a challenge but lauded a second half that saw the Yellows pick out spaces and make the most of them to hit back after Tuesday night’s disappointing 4-1 home defeat to Harland and Wolff Welders.
“Yeah, it was important for us to bounce back after obviously such a bad defeat on Tuesday night.
“I thought the first half was very scrappy, there was probably not a lot of quality, but I just thought the second half, the likes of Jack, Ben, Cush (Ben Cushnie), they all stepped their game up and started to bring it in the final third.
“Ben finally got his goal, he had a few chances today. It was just important to get to winning ways and, hopefully, we can continue it.
“It’s always unbelievably hard to come here – it’s a small pitch, it’s a tight pitch, Dundela defend really well.
“It’s a tight pitch so it’s hard to actually get the ball down and play, but I thought we managed to pick up wee spaces, especially from Jack in the No.10 position today.
“He managed to drop in, take wee spaces and create things, so listen, it’s a great win, a tough place to come and we’ll move on to next week.”
Mick Morgan
Elaborating on his fellow January arrival O’Mahony’s impressive performance, Morgan felt the 25-year-old showcased all of his strengths in the build-up to Arthurs’ deadlock-breaker.
O’Mahony scooped up the ball in midfield and charged forward before lofting in a fantastic delivery from the left that picked out the Kircubbin marksman, who headed past Ryan Kerr in the Dundela goal for a crucial opener.
Bangor boss Lee Feeney previously said he had been keeping tabs on the versatile O’Mahony for over a year prior to his mid-season arrival from Ballymena United – and Morgan was full of praise for him after this one.
“He was unbelievable. I thought he was very good even on Tuesday night when he came on – obviously, the manner of the defeat isn’t going to reflect that, but when he came on, he was getting the ball, he was driving at people.
“And you seen that again today for the first goal, he’s managed to get the ball and drove from the halfway line and put in an unbelievable ball to Big Ben.
“So, hopefully he continues that form into next week and the rest of the league.
“I think that’s what this team’s about, being aggressive and getting at people – and you seen it today, the midfield was straight on top of every single person.
“And then the defence was solid as a rock, I think they had a couple of chances but nothing too serious, we’ve dealt with it, we’ve kept a clean sheet and we deserved the win.”
Mick Morgan
On his own finish – his 14th of the season across all competitions that makes him by far and away the top-scoring teenager in the Irish League this term – Morgan (19) says his striker’s instinct kicked in after great work by his fellow substitute Scott McArthur in the corner.
Deep in added-time, McArthur did impressive work to keep possession before nutmegging Duns defender Scott Adams to supply Morgan, and the former Cliftonville Academy player deftly used the outside of his right boot to poke beyond Kerr and into the bottom left.
He was glad to find the net as he felt the scoreline reflected the performance and could have been even greater.
“Scotty’s done unbelievably well in the corner to keep the ball and get it past the defender.
“I just thought ‘why not?’, I’m in the box, I just swung my foot at it and it went in thankfully and it’s 2-0.
“I just think our performance reflects the 2-0 win, you know, we probably could’ve won three or four, to be honest – but you take the 2-0.”
Mick Morgan
With Bangor’s lead back up to eight points after the Welders were beaten 2-0 by Newington on Saturday, with the Duns’ east Belfast rivals also level on 60 points with Limavady United following their 3-1 triumph over Newry City, Morgan said things went the Seasiders’ way but insists they are purely focused on themselves heading into a crunch final five league outings.
“I think we probably got away with one, with the Welders beating us on Tuesday night, they’re probably thinking they can bring it to two points today if things go their way.
“But it’s went our way today and all we can do is manage ourselves. We don’t rely on other people’s performances and other results.
“As long as we keep winning, no one’s going to catch us and we’re going to be in the Premiership next year.”
Mick Morgan
(Posted: Sunday, 23rd March 2025)
DUNDELA 0-2 BANGOR
Bangor returned to winning ways and battled to a 2-0 victory over Dundela, restoring the lead at the Playr-Fit Championship summit to eight points ahead of the first game of the post-split schedule thanks to two decisive second-half strikes at Wilgar Park.
Jack O'Mahony kicked Bangor off and a scrappy start saw little by way of goal-bound looks, but an incisive Ben Arthurs cross from the left was just out of reach of Ben Cushnie as he aimed to bullet a header in from inside the six-yard area.
On 18 minutes, Cushnie did get on the end of one after Arthurs' flick-on from Reece Neale's looping throw played his strike partner in by the left post – but he flashed it low across the face of Duns keeper Ryan Kerr's goal rather than on target, with the resulting corner ultimately coming to nothing. Four minutes later, though, Cushnie so nearly did when he looped an effort from an Arthurs flick mere inches over Kerr's bar as he eyed the top left.
Dundela enjoyed their first look at goal as Jack Smith floated a header rover Patrick Solis Grogan's crossbar from Oisin Barr's well-worked inswinging cross before O'Mahony tried a similar style of effort up the other way from further out that proved an easy claim for Kerr.
On the stroke of the half-hour, Solis Grogan hit a low free-kick that Harrison directed into Mulvenna who duly played in Arthurs, but he appeared to lose his footing when he shaped his shot at goal and the chance ultimately went begging. The Duns' next opportunity saw McMaster volley a first-time attempt well over Solis Grogan's upright.
On 34 minutes, Arthurs came the closest yet when his venomous back-post drive was met by an equally strong boot by Kerr that denied the Kircubbin man practically on his own goalline – with appeals that it had gone over waved away. Former Bangor defender Howard Beverland was then the first name to go in the referee's notebook shortly after when he saw a yellow card.
Arthurs had another chance from a right-sided corner when he skewed Neale's delivery away from goal on 39 minutes, while Harrison drew a good near-post stop by Kerr a minute later that he palmed away before several blocks. An inswinging Garrett ball was then claimed by Kerr and Solis Grogan did similar from Beverland's cross as the first period ended goalless.
Dundela threatened almost instantly from a free-kick as Solis Grogan got down low to parry Storey's low free-kick directed towards the bottom right. Straight up the other way, O'Mahony's cross was floated over by Cushnie with a header as Bangor won the aerial duel, while on 54 minutes, Arthurs curled one towards the top right but guided over.
A last-ditch challenge by former Duns man Owens stopped Barr in his track before an attacking change saw Michael Morgan replace Tiarnan Mulvenna for an extra body in the frontline with Arthurs and Cushnie before the hour. O'Mahony then pierced one well wide just after, but an enticing free-kick found Callum Byers who couldn't turn in as Kerr closed the angle.
On 68 minutes, Reece Neale charged up the pitch after winning possession on the halfway line and got deep in the final third before sending in an enticing ball that Cushnie headed inches over. Two minutes later, though, Arthurs made no mistake – O'Mahony with the ball and the top marksman headed past a rooted Kerr and low into the bottom right. A perfect knee slide and raucous celebrations followed in front of the Bangor fans.
With 10 minutes to go, Bangor had a lead to defend and the contest grew more sparse in chance-creating opportunities for a while – but there was no dampening in the voices from the away end as the yellow and blue faithful cheered the players on before Arthurs headed a free-kick straight at Kerr.
Jack Smith then let fly from distance on 85 minutes but it bore down the throat of Solis Grogan who made the save, while McMaster's free-kick delivery came to nothing as the Duns looked to apply a bit of late pressure. The exceptional O'Mahony was then subbed for Liam Hassin to shore things up in the Seasiders midfield before Glenn Vance fired over Solis Grogan's goal after good work by Caomhan McGuinness to close the angle.
It was a tense finish with a goal in it, but it soon wasn't – Scott McArthur's intuition played in Morgan, whose deft finish low into the bottom left corner past Kerr proved enough to make it two as the full-time whistle blew with the three points pocketed.
Sat, 26.04.2025 - BANGOR v DUNDELA, Championship, Clandeboye Park, 3:00pm
(Posted: Saturday, 22nd March 2025)
DUNDELA v BANGOR
Callum Byers admits Bangor’s trip to Dundela can’t come soon enough as the Seasiders look to return to winning ways at Wilgar Park on Saturday.
It’s the final game before the split in the Playr-Fit Championship with Lee Feeney’s men already guaranteed top spot going into the last five matches of this term, but the players are determined to hit back following a bruising 4-1 home loss to second-placed Harland and Wolff Welders on Tuesday night.
An east Belfast double-header this week is rounded off with a visit to face the Welders’ local rivals where first-half strikes by Ben Arthurs, Matthew Ferguson and Tiarnan Mulvenna set up a 3-1 victory on Bangor’s last visit back in November.
That was a third successive win for the Yellows over Stephen Gourley’s fifth-placed Duns – and all by the same scoreline – but no two games are the same and defender Byers is keen for minds to refocus ahead of this weekend’s clash against a side who are also aiming for a bounce-back win having lost 1-0 at home to Annagh United in midweek.
“Definitely – after a tough defeat like that, it can’t come about quick enough. We have a quick chance to make amends.
“As I say, we’ll take our hurt from Tuesday night and we’ll hopefully put it right on Saturday and get ourselves back on track for a big finish in the last few games of the season.”
Callum Byers admits Bangor fell short of the high standards set throughout the course of the campaign in Tuesday night’s 4-1 home defeat to Harland and Wolff Welders, but the centre-back says the squad won’t wallow in it with six crunch Playr-Fit Championship outings to go.
Facing his former side, Byers adds the prospect of going 11 points clear of the second-placed Welders with a victory was a big missed opportunity but is refocusing himself for the run-in rather than dwelling on the past.
“It was disappointing. We didn’t come out of the blocks and we know ourselves, we’ve let ourselves down there – we let the fans down who come out every week to support us, it’s not good enough.
“It was a massive opportunity there for us tonight and sadly one that we’ve let pass us by and we were just off it all night. It’s one we’re going to have to take on the chin and learn from.
“There’s still a lot of games left, so we’ll just kick on from here.”
Callum Byers
Bangor fell behind a minute before half-time when Josh Kee placed past Patrick Solis Grogan into the bottom right corner.
It put the Welders in front at the halfway stage following a scrappy first period where both sides threw caution to the wind, but the east Belfast side started the second half hot with Lewis Patterson doubling the lead on 53 minutes after a corner was flicked into his path.
David Parkhouse extended the advantage to three just on the hour mark before his strike partner Michael McLellan tightened his grip on the Championship top scorer’s prize with a 71st-minute free-kick that fizzed past Solis Grogan for his 29th league goal this campaign.
Substitute Ben Cushnie pulled one back from the penalty spot two minutes later but it was merely a consolation as Byers admits the Seasiders didn’t steady the ship after Kee’s opener.
“I think even in the first half, it was just very scrappy. We created a few chances, a few offsides, things like that, but they had a few half-chances themselves.
“I thought we were maybe on top in the first half, but then the first goal went in, we probably should’ve defended it better.
“Second half, we just weren’t good enough defensively. There was a period there, as I say, once one went in, we sort of had to steady the ship and that just didn’t happen.
“But as I say, we just need to go again, there’s still a good few games to go and we just have to look on to Dundela on Saturday.
“We’re disappointed with ourselves in there. We’ve been very good defensively recently but again, as I say, we let ourselves down tonight and we weren’t our usual selves. But we have to take it on the chin and learn from it.”
Callum Byers
Byers (27), who swapped the Blanchflower for the seaside in January 2024, points out that a five-point lead and a guarantee of top spot for the split is still a feat Bangor would’ve gladly accepted at the start of the season.
The Seasiders sit on 65 points at the summit and the defender wants to use Tuesday’s loss as fuel going into what remains of the season – the squad is hurting and are hoping to hit back quickly at Wilgar Park against the Duns on Saturday.
“We started to show a bit of urgency, but 4-0, the game’s gone… it’s easy to play when you’re 4-0 down.
“But we just have to look on now, we learn from this one and, hopefully, it’s all forgotten about by the time the next game’s over and done with.
“We’re five points clear, and yeah, definitely, we’re in a good position. We’ve had a good season – one blip tonight doesn’t define that.
“But we’ll take our disappointment tonight, we’re all hurting in there, we’ll learn from it and we’ll go again.
“There’s still a bit of a gap, everything’s still there to play for. We’ll not be taking our foot off the gas.
“We know what this league’s like, we know everyone’s competitive, everyone can take points off each other, so we’ll definitely not be taking the foot off the gas and kick on hopefully from here.”
Callum Byers
(Posted: Thursday, 20th March 2025)
BANGOR 1-4 H&W WELDERS
It was a Tuesday night to forget for Bangor as second-placed Harland and Wolff Welders took the spoils in a 4-1 defeat for Lee Feeney's men at Clandeboye Park, leaving five points between the Playr-Fit Championship's top two heading into the final game before the split.
A cagey opening saw the Welders shape up with a bustling front pair of Michael McLellan and David Parkhouse, and the Championship's top scorer McLellan thought he'd scored his 29th league goal of the season when he directed a header past Patrick Solis Grogan into the bottom left – but the linesman's offside flag raised to cut his celebrations short.
It was Bangor's turn to threaten on the next attack and Ben Arthurs got the shot away, but Welders captain Craig Harris hooked the danger away from inside his own six-yard area with Jack Mills bracing himself to be called into action. Arthurs then found himself bearing down on goal on 12 minutes and in behind but got the ball caught under feet and Mills came out to smother the attempt.
Bangor started to assert themselves after and Mills tipped away a perilous delivery from Jack Reilly's corner that looked like it was about to dip under the bar, with the Welders deploying a high line that Arthurs and Matthew Ferguson – both playing against their former clubs – were regularly looking to exploit.
But it was the the east Belfast side's turn to offer a scare on 25 minutes. Firstly, Liam Hassin came up with a huge sliding block to deny Daylen Farren from about 15 yards out after Josh Kee's surging run before Solis Grogan pulled off a fine point-blank save to deny McLellan after a scuffed clearance from Byers offered him a shot inside the six-yard area. On the following attack the other way, Ferguson's looping header was just over Mills' bar.
Ferguson slipped another one just wide of Mills' upright after Arthurs' lay-off offered him a snapshot from the inside left just after the half-hour. Five minutes later, on 35 minutes, both sides had scares as a missed punch by Solis Grogan almost let a plethora of Welders bodies in at goal that was missed by all of them and hurriedly hooked clear, while Lewis Harrison got a back-post header beyond Mills' reach but not past a recovering Welders defender who launched desperately off the line.
But it was a game that looked like it had goals in it and the Welders duly opened the scoring on 44 minutes. Kee – Larne-bound next season and son of Welders boss Paul – picked the ball up around 40 yards from goal and had time and space to shape a shot, and when invited to shoot, he made no mistake, placing low into the bottom right corner and beyond Solis Grogan's reach that ultimately gave the Welders the lead at half-time.
Bangor needed fresh impetus going into an important second half and made an attacking double change at half-time with Michael Morgan and Ben Cushnie both entering the fray with Ferguson and Garrett withdrawn.
It didn't have the desired immediate impact. On 52 minutes, a right-sided corner was won and it was flicked on by Daniel Kearns into the path of Welders captain Lewis Patterson, who slotted into the bottom left corner amid a crowd of Bangor bodies in the area.
The Seasiders' first chance of the half was from a corner swung in from the right by Reilly, with Mills punching away from underneath his own crossbar under pressure from Cushnie on 57 minutes following a good piece of hustle by the substitute – but the Welders only served to pile on the pain on their next attack. Parkhouse raced clear down the right and powered a rocket past Solis Grogan without breaking stride on 60 minutes.
From there, and with Arthurs and Mulvenna subbed off in favour of Scott McArthur and Jack O'Mahony, Bangor continued struggling for momentum and fell further behind when McLellan's powered free-kick caught Solis Grogan out and nestled in the bottom right on 71 minutes. But Bangor got a break just moments later – a handball called in the Welders box and a penalty awarded that Cushnie duly despatched by sending Mills the wrong way to reduce the arrears to three on 73 minutes.
Bangor showed a bit of impetus and got a corner after Mills tipped Morgan's deflected cross from the left was tipped over the Wall End crossbar by Mills, with the resulting delivery headed away by Parkhouse at the far post from Reilly's left-sided supply. Up the other end on 85 minutes, the lively Farren tried to send a low ball across the goal-face after dispossessing Caomhan McGuinness on the left, but it couldn't find a defining touch as it trickled away from danger.
Substitute Jamie McDonagh floated a free-kick in from the left that nestled on the top of Mills' net after Morgan was fouled on 87 minutes, while the teenage frontman himself threatened a minute later when Mills came out to close as he got in on goal, parrying behind. It proved the last meaningful action, with Bangor also suffering their first league defeat at home since August in the process.
Lee Feeney is hoping his Bangor side can build on the momentum of their recent unbeaten run and translate that into a giant leap towards consolidating their position at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship.
The Seasiders had already banked a 4-1 triumph over Newington to move eight points clear of H&W Welders before the second-placed east Belfast side saw their 12-match unbeaten run in the second-tier halted following Ards’ 1-0 victory at Blanchflower Park on Saturday.
Now, Paul Kee takes his Welders to Clandeboye Park in a rearranged encounter and Feeney insists his Yellows must knuckle down if they want to extend their cushion to 11 points just one game out from the split.
Ben Arthurs’ brace off the bench was sandwiched by finishes from Matthew Ferguson and Kyle Owens all in the second period to defeat the 10-man Swans on Friday night, and the Bangor boss – who is wary of the threat of Championship top scorer Michael McLellan, who has 28 league goals to his name this term – has his men quickly refocused for this dust-up.
“The Welders are a threat, they’re a team that I’ve been impressed by across the season and they’ve been on a long unbeaten run (prior to Saturday).
“They have positive momentum and they’ve obviously got the league’s top scorer in Michael McLellan in their side, but they have threats from all over the pitch who we’re going to have to pay close attention to.
“So, make no mistake about it, it’s going to be a really tough game – you can’t afford to lose games going into the split, so we’ll be ready.”
Bangor recorded a fourth victory of the season against Newington across all competitions to remain on top of the Playr-Fit Championship two matches out from the split.
The in-form Ben Arthurs was sprung from the bench as a half-time substitute and scored a brace that was sandwiched by Matthew Ferguson’s deadlock-breaker and Kyle Owens’ late clinching header in a 4-1 success at Clandeboye Park.
Newington’s Bangor-born midfielder Jackson Reid halved the deficit at 2-1 in a game where all five goals came in the second period, with Swans defender Conall McGrandles sent off in the lead-up to the penalty which Arthurs converted for his 22nd goal of the season five minutes from time.
Lee Feeney’s starting line-up featured five changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Institute last weekend, with notable storylines including Jack Reilly – whose last game for Newington was Bangor’s 2-1 after-extra-time Irish Cup Fifth Round victory in January – playing against his former club for the first time since that switch.
Former Ton loanee Michael Morgan was also drafted in alongside Matthew Ferguson up top, with Jack O’Mahony and Tom Mathieson handed starts and Arthurs, Tiarnan Mulvenna and Robbie Garrett dropping to the bench.
With the score goalless at half-time, Arthurs replaced Morgan at the break and, only three minutes after the restart, Ferguson joined the Kircubbin man on 20 goals for the season by converting the opener after Reece Neale’s shot at goal was parried by Newington stopper Dean Smyth.
On 53 minutes, Ferguson turned provider and teed up Arthurs to double the advantage – but the bottom-placed visitors weren’t going down without a fight and levelled direct from Reid’s free-kick midway through the half to set up a nervy finale.
It was also the first league goal that Patrick Solis Grogan has conceded since joining from Dungannon Swifts on loan in January – a streak lasting 518 minutes of normal time.
With 83 minutes gone, there was high drama as Aodhfionn Casey hooked substitute Scott McArthur’s goal-bound effort off the line but, two minutes later, Arthurs made no mistake from the spot with former Ards and Ballyclare Comrades defender McGrandles dismissed.
From there, Bangor saw it out and clinched it through Owens when he headed in Neale’s delivery in the fourth minute of stoppage-time that wrapped up all three points under the floodlights.
Lee Feeney is wary of the threats Newington pose and believes his Bangor players can’t afford to drop their guard in Friday night’s top-versus-bottom battle at Clandeboye Park.
The Seasiders’ lead at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship has been cut to five points after second-placed H&W Welders won their game in hand away to Ballinamallard United 1-0, but a win against the division’s bottom side would open that back up to eight points on a night featuring four second-tier fixtures.
Newington are entering on the back of a 3-1 home win over Ballyclare Comrades last time out and being inspired by the form of Glentoran loanee Jay Donnelly, who has scored in all five of his appearances to date for the Swans since joining late in the January window.
Bangor have won the previous two league meetings of the sides 4-0 at home in August and 2-0 away in December, while they also claimed a 2-1 after extra-time victory over the ‘Ton in the Irish Cup Fifth Round – but Feeney is adamant Friday’s visitors, who will themselves leapfrog Newry City into the relegation play-off spot if they win and City fail to, pack more punch than their position in the table suggests.
“I think it’s fair to say the two times before that we played them in the league, we won the games but the scorelines flattered us, so definitely not, you can’t afford to look past them – you can’t get ahead of yourself.
“They’re fighting hard to stay up and they’ve hit a wee run of form, they won their last game (against Ballyclare) so they have momentum.
“They’ve brought in Jay Donnelly since the last time we played them, too; I think he’s scored in every game since he joined them, so he’s an extra threat in attack we haven’t come across before.
“So, no doubt about it, Friday night’s going to be a really tough game, especially in the middle part of the pitch which is an area they’re really strong in. It’s going to be a tough game.”
Tickets for the semi-final of this season’s Clearer Water Irish Cup will go on sale later this week.
THIS IS AN ALL TICKET MATCH
The Seasiders take on Dungannon Swifts at Seaview on Saturday 29 March, with a 5.30pm kick-off.
Bangor fans will be in the North Stand, North Terrace and Riteprice Stand, while Dungannon Swifts fans will be in the South Stand and FonaCab Stand.
Tickets (£15 Adult, £10 Concession) are scheduled to go on general sale via Ticketmaster this Friday at 10am.
#FLOCK2SEAVIEW
(Posted: Tuesday, 11th March 2025)
FEENEY'S THOUGHTS
Lee Feeney felt Bangor would’ve been worth all three points and was pleased with how the Seasiders acquitted themselves on Saturday afternoon but lamented a lack of cutting edge up top in the goalless draw at Institute.
The Ryan McBride Brandywell has proved Bangor’s bogey venue since returning to the Playr-Fit Championship, remaining winless in four trips there since the start of last season.
A point was nevertheless a better outcome than the off-colour 3-1 defeat to the north west side in December as the Yellows remain in a strong position at the Championship summit.
Feeney afterwards expressed pride in his players’ performance and felt Bangor had enjoyed the bulk of the possession and territory to go on and win it, but a goal at either end wasn’t forthcoming as the league leaders move to 62 points after a fifth league stalemate this term.
“I thought we deserved to win it, we dominated the game. I think we were just missing a bit in the final third.
“I told the players afterwards I was proud of their performance. I thought we played well, we dominated possession, we didn’t give up many chances in the game, but we just lacked a bit in that final area.
“It’s a bit frustrating, it’s a tough ground to go to and we’ve always found it tough up here, I thought we did enough to win the game.”
Lee Feeney
The first meeting of the sides this season, a 3-1 home victory at Clandeboye Park when Ben Arthurs and a Matthew Ferguson brace proved the difference, is Bangor’s only triumph over Kevin Deery’s Stute in seven meetings since September 2023.
Often coming up against a stiff defence and organised shape when facing the Drumahoe outfit, Feeney wants Bangor to be better at breaking down those types of set-ups.
Having opted for an unchanged starting line-up for a third consecutive outing following the 3-0 league win at Armagh City and the upset 3-1 Irish Cup triumph over Glentoran, the Clandeboye chief admits he saw a few tired legs that he may look to refresh as well.
“We have to do better against those sorts of teams, when we play teams that set up like that to sit behind the ball.
“I thought we maybe tired a wee bit – I think that’s three games in a row that I’ve named the same starting 11, but I didn’t want to change a winning team that’s went out and put a run of really good performances together.
“I made a few substitutions to put in some fresh legs, which was needed in the game – Spike and Michael Morgan came on in the second half and made an impact, they gave us a bit of energy, and Jack O’Mahony too.
“We’ve been strong in both boxes recently, but in this one, we just weren’t as strong in the opposition box as we would’ve liked.”
Lee Feeney
Yet another clean sheet came as a major positive for Feeney, too – Bangor’s sixth clean sheet in the last seven in all competitions and 13th in the last 22 games dating back to November 1.
It’s testament to goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan’s continued excellence since his loan arrival between the sticks and a solid defensive line in front of him, with Reece Neale, Kyle Owens, Callum Byers and Caomhan McGuinness reprised against Stute and again keeping it tight.
The Bangor boss wants to see that trend continue as he praised his rearguard once more.
“We’ve been really good defensively. That’s six clean sheets in the last seven games and the goal we conceded in the Irish Cup was just unfortunate, it was a deflection and you can’t do too much about those.
“I can’t remember Institute getting in behind and threatening us. I think they got in once, but it was from a narrow angle and it wasn’t really a threat to our goal.
“The defenders have just been mopping things up and kept organised, and when the other team has got in at goal, Patrick’s been the commanding presence that he is and he’s been able to make saves when called upon.
“We’ve looked really strong in that part of the pitch and that’s something we want to see continuing going forward.”
Lee Feeney
With the crunch clash between third-position Limavady United and second-placed H&W Welders also ending goalless at the Rathmore Road Showgrounds, Feeney was glad that Bangor didn’t lose ground if not take full advantage by clinching the three points.
The Welders remain eight points behind with a game in hand – that coming on Tuesday night against Ballinamallard United at Ferney Park – and the Kilkeel supremo pointed to the value of not losing games in the build-up to the split.
“We’ll always set the target of going to win every game and we want to take advantage, but if you can’t do that – do not lose the game.
“Especially at this stage in the season, just before the split, it is so important you do not lose games.
“If you said to me at the start of the season, let’s look at it as five points clear at the top of the table at this point, I’d absolutely have taken it especially after the start we had.
“We’re in a strong position and we haven’t lost any ground, we’re still the same number of points clear, so we have to look at that as a positive.”
Bangor kept a sixth successive clean sheet in the Playr-Fit Championship but couldn’t mark it with three points at Institute – however, as Limavady United and H&W Welders also played out a scoreless stalemate in a clash of second and third nearby, it means no ground was lost and the advantage at the summit remains eight points for the Seasiders.
A fairly uneventful first half at the Ryan McBride Brandywell saw Callum Byers come closest around midway through, with an effort that inched not far wide of the post as Lee Feeney deployed an unchanged starting line-up from the side that overcame Glentoran in last week’s Irish Cup quarter-final showdown.
The opening 45 minutes ended goalless, with Ben Cushnie shown a yellow card right on the stroke of half-time in what in truth was one of the highlights of the first period. Stute defender Brandon Diau also skewed a clearance past his own post in a nervy moment, while appeals for a penalty against Seasiders stopper Patrick Solis Grogan were waved away.
Further chances fell for Bangor in the second half when, on 56 minutes, Ben Arthurs’ header from close range was repelled by home goalkeeper Fintan Doherty, while the stopper also kept substitute Michael Morgan at bay as neither side ultimately broke the deadlock.
It is an improvement on the 3-1 defeat Bangor suffered at the Brandywell before Christmas, though, and it sees the Seasiders move up to 62 points with just three matchdays to go until the post-split.
NEXT MATCH:
Friday, 14th March, BANGOR v NEWINGTON, Championship, Clandeboye Park, 7:45pm
(Posted: Saturday, 8th March 2025)
INSTITUTE v BANGOR
It’s back to business in the Playr-Fit Championship for Bangor as the Seasiders’ first outing in March takes place in the north west against Institute on Saturday.
After the high of last Friday night’s 3-1 Irish Cup quarter-final success over Glentoran, Lee Feeney’s men will now hope to take the momentum of that victory into what has become something of a bogey fixture since returning to the second-tier.
Three times Bangor have travelled to the Ryan McBride Brandywell and three times they’ve failed to win – a draw in last season’s post-split sandwiched by a 4-0 reverse in October 2023 and a 3-1 loss on the most recent visit in December.
Ben Cushnie scored a late consolation, but earlier finishes from Caoimhin Porter, Mikhail Kennedy and Brendan McLaughlin had long since settled the contest – although Bangor’s previous 3-1 victory over Stute at Clandeboye Park should provide hope as a hat-trick of assists by Tiarnan Mulvenna set up Ben Arthurs (2) and Matthew Ferguson strikes in the Yellows’ only victory the last six meetings against Kevin Deery’s side.
That said, Bangor have kept clean sheets in five successive league matches since the start of February and won four of them, with the in-form Arthurs netting seven goals in his last three games including back-to-back hat-tricks against Ballinamallard United and Armagh City.
Cushnie, who himself has hit a purple patch with two goals and two assists in five matches, and Lewis Harrison – on eight finishes for the season, albeit his goal last Friday was his first of the calendar year – joined Arthurs on the scoresheet against Glentoran and will hope to continue their good form in the league too.
With Stute in eighth place and fighting for a place in the top six – just five points separate Ards in sixth and Ballinamallard in 10th – it promises to be a closely fought encounter and will require Bangor to be fully switched on to pick up the three points.
(Posted: Friday, 7th March 2025)
BANGOR v DUNGANNON SWIFTS
It has now been confirmed that Bangor will travel to Seaview to play Dungannon Swifts in the Clearer Water Irish Cup semi final.
The tie will be played on Saturday, 29th March 2025 with a 5:30pm kick off.
Ticket information will be published in due course.
For Ben Arthurs, it’s a case of the bigger the occasion, the more he rises to it – and how he did in Bangor’s stunning Irish Cup quarter-final victory over Glentoran on Friday night.
The Kircubbin striker broke the deadlock on the quarter-hour mark at a packed Clandeboye Park, with Ben Cushnie doubling the lead and Lewis Harrison making it three on the stroke of half-time to send a huge home faithful into dreamland.
Arthurs’ 20th goal of the season saw him collect Tiarnan Mulvenna’s astute ball to send him bearing down on Daniel Gyollai’s goal, with none of Danny Amos, Frankie Hvid or Kodi Lyons-Foster in the Glens defence able to stop him from slotting in after his rebound was blocked.
With Cushnie striking the inside of the post shortly beforehand, imperious defender Callum Byers seeing a contentious offside ruling deny him a goal not long after and Arthurs himself having his hands on his head after Hvid cleared his effort off the line, it could’ve been even more – but for Bangor’s longest-serving player, it satisfied him most purely that the home side seized the game by the scruff of the neck.
“I don’t know if it’s my best night off the top of my head with Bangor, it’s certainly up there.
“I haven’t seen an atmosphere like that, maybe the Steel and Sons Final, but tonight there were plenty of Glens fans and even more Bangor fans, and the roar of the crowd and the home support, it just gives us that bit extra.
“I don’t know about everyone else but see to be honest, the bigger the crowd, the more I enjoy it.
“It didn’t look like anyone was starstruck there tonight, everybody just turned up and it was business as usual.
“Again, I think everyone loved how many people were there, and yeah, it was just a great performance. I don’t think anyone could have dreamed of going in 3-0 up at half-time and, to be honest, it was well-deserved.
“I don’t remember them having too many chances in the first half, I’m not even sure Callum Byers’ goal was offside, it could’ve been four.
“It was a great night, we backed ourselves and we turned up and done it, and that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day.”
Ben Arthurs
Coming off back-to-back hat-tricks against Ballinamallard United and Armagh City in the Playr-Fit Championship, Arthurs naturally would’ve entered the game in high spirits.
But he added that previous times this season when Bangor have been dealt harsh lessons – citing October’s 4-0 reverse to the Mallards at Ferney Park and the 2-1 defeat to Newry City back in January as examples – showed why the Seasiders had to take a grounded approach.
The frontman, now up to 151 goals in yellow and blue overall of which 20 have come in the Irish Cup, says a “locked in” mentality was required and was delighted it paid off in practice.
“We were ruthless and clinical in the first half, and I suppose that all comes down to preparation.
“There’s been a few games this year where we’ve went down maybe as the top team in the league and then we play someone at the bottom and we’ve got turned over.
“Ballinamallard beat us four, Newry beat us comfortably 2-1, and that can happen – if you don’t turn up and you’re not on it, there’s not that much of a difference in quality between clubs in this country.
“Anyone can turn you over and we prepared right, we were locked in and we were focused.
“We all played brilliant, every man, anyone that came off the bench, we were just superb all over the pitch.”
Ben Arthurs
Glentoran pulled one back on 70 minutes when substitute Charlie Lindsay’s effort from just outside the box took a wicked deflection off Caomhan McGuinness into the top right corner.
But by no means was it panic stations. With a healthy lead at half-time, Arthurs says Bangor had to be somewhat cautious but insisted it wasn’t going to be a case of parking the bus.
Mulvenna probably enjoyed the pick of the Seasiders’ second-half opportunities at 3-1 when he fired over the bar while one-on-one with Gyollai, while Byers and Kyle Owens continued to mop up in defence and Patrick Solis Grogan pulled off a number of eye-catching saves.
Lee Feeney’s Yellows had to stay cool and duly did, which Arthurs felt was reflected in the chances created in more of a counter-attacking second period for Bangor.
“I wouldn’t say the second half was that one-sided, I still think we had a few chances ourselves and we could’ve added another one or two to the half-time lead as well.
“With a three-goal lead, we probably did make sure we were wanting to protect that – we weren’t chasing the game, obviously we didn’t have to go all-out attack.
“But I still think we gave a good account of ourselves in the second half.
“Towards the end, we maybe tired a wee bit, we changed shape and decided to maybe suck up the pressure.
“But I’m relatively happy with the second half, we were disappointed to concede the goal although it had a wee bit of luck in it with the deflection – you couldn’t do much about it.”
Ben Arthurs
(Posted: Sunday, 2nd March 2025)
THE CAPTAIN'S THOUGHTS
Lewis Harrison reflected on the best night of his Bangor career after the Seasiders recorded a stunning Irish Cup upset victory over Glentoran to secure their spot in the semi-finals.
Bangor are into the last-four courtesy of Friday night’s spectacular 3-1 quarter-final success over the Glens at a Clandeboye Park that was packed to capacity across every corner.
Harrison’s strike to make it 3-0 shortly before half-time followed up Ben Arthurs’ opener and a scorcher from Ben Cushnie against his former club and put the home faithful in dreamland.
And the captain, who has been an inspirational force in midfield ever since his January 2020 arrival from H&W Welders, admits it’s a night he’ll never forget and expects the semi-finals to be even more special.
“That’s what I said to Ben (Arthurs), it doesn’t beat Desertmartin away, does it!
“My best night with Bangor? No, it has to be the best so far, and the next game (the semi-final) is even going to top it.
“If we can get to Windsor Park, it’s unbelievable. But as I said before the game, we’ve nothing to fear, it’s all in the moments.”
Lewis Harrison
Bangor’s three-goal lead hardly flattered them, and they could’ve been further in front at the break given Callum Byers saw a goal chalked off for a contentious offside and Arthurs saw his low attempt cleared off the line by recovering Glens defender Frankie Hvid with goalkeeper Daniel Gyollai taken out of the equation.
While Charlie Lindsay pulled one back for Glentoran on 70 minutes – an unfortunate goal to concede for the hosts given it took a wicked deflection off Caomhan McGuinness on its way to the top right corner – Harrison praised how Lee Feeney’s Seasiders held their nerve and saw it out.
“We were on the front foot, we didn’t just sit off and we got in their faces and they couldn’t handle it.
“The whole team played well. The first half an hour, we were brilliant, and then as Dougie (John Douglas) said, we dropped off a wee bit going into half-time – I think that was just the energy went a wee bit.
“And then we freshened up at half-time, we got back at it. The second half, we just knew we had to dig in, 3-0 lead, you know, you can’t slip up there.
“When that first one went in, I thought ‘oh dear’! Paddy (Patrick Solis Grogan) made a few good saves in the second half – the one he made from David Fisher towards the end there, the reaction of it, it was unbelievable.
“And then we still had our chances in the second half as well. Tiarnan (Mulvenna) was just unlucky when he got one-on-one and he shot over the bar, it was just tired legs I suppose.
“And Ben (Arthurs) as well, the one he had cleared off the line, there was a couple of other half-chances, but we saw it out and got it over the line.”
Lewis Harrison
Harrison’s personal goal count continues to rise, with the 26-year-old bagging his eighth of the season with a classy finish.
Arthurs nodded on from Reece Neale’s long throw on the left and the skipper swivelled and let rip amid a crowd of Glentoran bodies, picking out the bottom left past a rooted Gyollai.
He went on to praise his fellow midfielders Mulvenna, Liam Hassin and Robbie Garrett – all of whom were simply imperious on a night when everybody in the Bangor line-up shone.
“It fell nicely for me, it just turned lovely for me and I said I’ll hit this. I don’t know what’s happening with me this year, that’s eight for the season now for me.
“Cush is trying to claim it, he says it nicked him, but I’m not having that!
“Wee Tiarnan was super tonight, he runs around and covers every blade of grass – and that’s what me and him do to be fair.
“Even Liam coming in, and Lee changes it so he’s at left wing-back, left centre-back, he can play anywhere, and then Ribsy obviously does what Ribsy does.
“It was brilliant. Lee, Dougie and all were saying before the game, just go out and enjoy it. There’s nothing to fear here.
“We just go out and we know we can go in with a game-plan and we can take it to anybody, and that’s what we done.”
Lewis Harrison
Harrison, who is closing in on 150 Bangor appearances and could hit that milestone later this month, added he doesn’t have a preference for who he would like to face in the last-four.
Having joined midway through the Covid-curtailed 2019/20 season – Bangor’s first back in the Premier Intermediate League – he also took the chance to reflect on a journey for the club that he feels is only going to result in even greater highs.
“I’ll take any of them. I’ll take any of them, you know what I mean? Aim for the Final.
“Six or seven years ago, we were in the Ballymena League, we’ve come a long way. It’s mad to think you can go from there to having nights like this.
“But there’s only good things to come from this club from now on in – that starts with the league, that’s the next one, we have to keep our eyes on the league and that’s the most important thing.
“If we win the Irish Cup, we’d love that as well, but winning the league, we want to win the league and get up.”
Lewis Harrison
(Posted: Sunday, 2nd March 2025)
BANGOR 3-1 GLENTORAN
Bangor cemented a colossal Irish Cup night the fans will forever remember and an upset for the ages after a first-half blitz put the seal on a 3-1 quarter-final victory over Glentoran at Clandeboye Park.
Two chances in quick succession broke, with Glentoran winger Christie Pattisson getting past Reece Neale and Patrick Solis Grogan more than equal to the English forward's effort when he palmed clear of danger, while Bangor broke up the other way with a delicate attempt beyond the Glens' Hungarian stopper Daniel Gyollai but across the face of goal instead of into the back of the net.
That all happened inside the opening five minutes, with Glentoran captain Marcus Kane also subbed off in an early injury-enforced change and Frankie Hvid replacing him.
Bangor broke up the pitch and broke the deadlock on 15 minutes. A ball by Ben Cushnie was nodded into Tiarnan Mulvenna, he controlled the ball under pressure and played in Arthurs to his right – his first shot was halted by a combination of Gyollai and a sliding block by Hvid, but the rebound fell kindly for the Kircubbin marksman to slot home his 20th goal of the campaign.
And the lead was spectacularly doubled. It was Arthurs strike partner Ben Cushnie who took the lead this time seven minutes later, with the Glentoran Academy product seizing the initiative from Mulvenna's layoff with a perfectly weighted 30-yard shot low past Gyollai into the bottom left corner to send Clandeboye Park into absolute delirium.
Another sub for the Glens saw Joe Thomson replaced by their quarter-final match-winner Finley Thorndike – yet it so nearly preceded another Bangor goal. Arthurs caught Gyollai out and dribbled around him with the goal gaping, but Hvid came to the flustered visitors' rescue on the stroke of the half-hour when the centre-back slid in to deny the 26-year-old his second goal of the game.
Danny Amos got a free-kick on target from 20 yards that Solis Grogan dealt with well after Reece Neale was adjudged to have handled, with Bangor looking to manage the game for the rest of the half. But they did better than that on 44 minutes – Reece Neale's long throw was flicked into Arthurs, Harrison received and he swivelled and fired low into the bottom left to make it three.
It stayed that way until the interval and the Glens made more changes – a double sub at half-time – as Declan Devine's visitors looked to fight back in the second period. They offered the first sight of the half on 48 minutes when Jenkins floated a header wide of the right-hand post before Solis Grogan got down to save a low attempt from distance shortly after.
Glentoran again threatened with a low Cammy Palmer shot parried by Solis Grogan into the path of Jenkins on 52 minutes, but the bounce didn't suit the striker and his header rested on the roof of the net, just over the bar.
From there, the game became scrappy as Bangor sought to protect their own penalty box and hit Glentoran on the break, with Arthurs leading one such counter on 64 minutes and just failing to pick out Cushnie's run beyond him – the Hillsborough man's substitution off for Jack O'Mahony was greeted with rapture by the home fans.
On 68 minutes, Thorndike's swerving shot drew a smart parry by Solis Grogan away from danger as the chasm remained three for the Premiership side to peg back, but Glentoran did get one back in fortuitous circumstances – substitute Charlie Lindsay's shot from distance taking a wicked deflection past Solis Grogan and into the top right with 20 minutes to play.
Bangor kept holding firm and they almost settled it on 77 minutes with Mulvenna put one-on-one, but Gyollai got big and the irrepressible midfielder's shot was high over the Wall End crossbar. A two-goal lead is always a nervous one in football and the tension was palpable in the latter stages from both ends, with Matthew Ferguson entering the fray for Arthurs as fresh legs up top.
As the game ticked into added-time, a Solis Grogan wonder save denied David Fisher's header from a right-sided corner, with Glentoran piling the pressure in the latter stages and Mulvenna lobbing over on the break in the first of four minutes of stoppage-time.
What followed was absolute jubilation on the full-time whistle.
NEXT MATCH:
Saturday, 8th March 2025 - INSTITUTE v BANGOR, Championship, Brandywell, 3:00pm
(Posted: Friday, 28th February 2025)
BANGOR v GLENTORAN
Lee Feeney accepts Bangor will need “colossal performances” all across the pitch to upset Glentoran in Friday night’s blockbuster Clearer Water Irish Cup quarter-final but believes the Seasiders can fancy their chances.
Clandeboye Park will see its biggest crowd since the 1990s and a crowd of over 2,000 home and away fans will flock into the ground to watch this last-eight battle – Bangor’s first Irish Cup quarter-final in 11 years – for what promises to be a special occasion and lifelong memory to savour.
Feeney, who outlined his friendship with Glentoran first-team coach Paddy McCourt going back to their playing days at Shamrock Rovers, says there will be some friendly banter, with the second-placed side in the Sports Direct Premiership looking to maintain an unbeaten record in cup competitions this term that includes County Antrim Shield success as the Playr-Fit Championship leaders stand in their way.
The Bangor boss – whose cousin Warren was incumbent Glens supremo Declan Devine’s predecessor in the hotseat at The Oval – has lots of respect for his opposite numbers but reckons a full squad effort from his Yellows can help book their spot in the semi-finals.
“Yeah, listen, it’s a big day for the club, there’s going to be a massive crowd and I think it really does show how far we’ve come in such a short space of time.
“I know Paddy McCourt well, he’s a good friend of mine – we’ll have a bit of a laugh and joke on the touchline, there’ll be a bit of banter, but obviously I want us to go out and try and win the game as well, as he will with Glentoran.
“We know what it’s going to take – Glentoran are a quality side, they’re a massive club and we’re going into the game as the underdogs.
“But we believe we’ve got a good chance. We’re going to need 10 or 11 absolutely colossal performances, nines and 10s out of 10 all over the pitch, and we’ll need them to obviously be a wee bit off it as well and maybe a bit of luck, but we’re not just treating these games like they’re one-offs.
“We’ll be set up to win the game and we’ll enjoy it, we’ll play with the shackles off and we’ll give it a go, and far stranger things have happened in football – so why not? We’ll relish it.”
Lee Feeney
MATCH INFORMATION:
ALL TICKETS HAVE NOW BEEN SOLD.
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(Posted: Thursday, 27th February 2025)
ALL TICKETS SOLD
Thank you to everyone who has bought a ticket our Irish Cup quarter final.
(Posted: Tuesday, 25th February 2025)
LEE FEENEY ON ARMAGH WIN
Lee Feeney praised a professional performance from his Bangor side to overcome Armagh City but admitted he wasn’t satisfied at half-time despite the Seasiders’ three-goal lead.
Bangor went into the interval 3-0 up courtesy of Ben Arthurs’ second hat-trick in as many games, but Feeney warned his players against taking their foot off the pedal at Holm Park.
He felt the Yellows could’ve had an even greater advantage and stressed to his men that they couldn’t drop their guard against an Armagh side with a knack of finding the net and snatching points late in games.
Feeney felt they kept their grip on the contest in the second half, with Patrick Solis Grogan still yet to concede a goal in five matches since his loan arrival from Dungannon Swifts and the defence doing their job to keep another clean sheet.
“We were 3-0 up at half-time and I still went into the changing room at half-time and had a go at them because we should’ve been further in front.
“I told them that we couldn’t be wasteful with our chances and if you come out at the start of the second half and ease off, you’ll be taken off.
“We know what Armagh are like; they’re resilient and if they got back into the game, they’re a good side and they’ll fight until the end, so I told the players to keep the levels high.
“To be fair, Patrick didn’t have too many saves to make, but he was really good coming for crosses, he was commanding and he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with since he joined us.
“We controlled a lot of the game in the second half without really creating many chances, so it was a professional performance and we went away happy with the three points.”
Lee Feeney
A big case in point for Feeney was Arthurs, who backed up his treble off the bench in the 4-0 home win over Ballinamallard United with another three goals to bring his total up to 150 in the yellow and blue shirt and 19 this term.
Despite this, the Bangor boss felt the Kircubbin striker could’ve been even more ruthless.
“He scored a first-half hat-trick and I went in at half-time and challenged him because he should’ve had about five.
“I actually think he missed two easier chances – the three that he did score were well-taken but he could’ve had a few more.
“We’re hard on Ben because we know how good he is and the levels he can reach, and he’s hard on himself as well – he said that he feels he should’ve scored more this season, and he has the quality to do that and get even closer to the top of the scoring charts in the league.
“But he scored a hat-trick last week and scored another one this week, and that’s still the signs of a striker in form with a lot of quality and he made the difference for us again.
“Ben Cushnie fed him in for the second, he’s a lot of quality as we know as well, and Ben finished well between the goalkeeper’s legs.
“We’ve Spike (Matthew Ferguson) as well and Mick (Morgan), we’re hoping to have him back this week after his injury, so we’ve got a good set of strikers and options who can influence games for us.”
Lee Feeney
Feeney went on to sing the praises of midfielder Liam Hassin (23), who he described as an ‘absolute pleasure to work with’ since his arrival from Ballyclare Comrades last month.
“I’ve not seen Liam mentioned too much, but he’s been an absolute pleasure to work with from the day he came in.
“He’s brilliant to work with, he’s humble, hardworking and if you ask any of his team-mates, they absolutely love playing alongside him.
“He loves football, loves being out on the pitch and he has the ability to grab a game by the scruff of the neck, and I’d like to actually see him do that more often because he is capable of doing that.
“He has the ability to be the best player on the pitch and I said to him to come out, and to be fair, I would say he was a contender for the best player on the pitch in the second half.
“The way he is on the ball, he has the ability to control the game with how he passes the ball and he makes the players around him better – and they’ll tell you that too.
“He’s been an absolute pleasure, and he can play in different positions and he’ll still perform.
“It was great having Lewis Harrison back from his ban; he threaded in a lovely ball for Ben for his first and showed his quality and leadership throughout, that’s why he’s the captain.
“Tiarnan Mulvenna and Robbie Garrett as well, we have a really strong set of options there.”
Lee Feeney
A talking point amongst Bangor supporters this month has been a greater variety of shapes and formations, which has coincided with an upturn in results and performances following an up-and-down spell of form.
Feeney elaborated on this and insisted it’s a mix of those on the pitch and the opposition set-up that is informing these calls, also crediting the January signings for raising the bar and lifting overall levels.
“I think there’s a couple of reasons – firstly, personnel, who we have and the players we start in a game; we have a big squad and players who can play different roles within the team.
“Then the opposition as well, how they set up and the formations they use, and then they can change the shape midway through a game so we can respond to that.
“The new signings have all been brilliant. There’s a few we’re obviously looking forward to getting out on the pitch as well.
“James Haughey, who joined from Immaculata on deadline day, he’s coming back from injury and played a couple of games for the Reserves, and the way he’s been training with the first-team has been absolutely phenomenal.
“We’re excited to get him out soon because he’s been training really well, and the new boys in general have come in and made the players around them better as well.”
Ben Arthurs hit a second hat-trick in as many days as well as his 150th goal as Bangor ended a recent away blip with a convincing 3-0 victory at Armagh City on Saturday afternoon.
The Seasiders had went four away games without a win – drawing one and losing three – since a 2-0 win at Newington on December 6 but emphatically put that right at Holm Park.
Arthurs struck his seventh treble for the Seasiders off the bench against Ballinamallard United seven days earlier and added another three by half-time against the Eagles, with goals on 11, 18 and in the second minute of stoppage-time bringing his tally up to 19 for the campaign.
And although Bangor had hit the rocks on the road of late, Armagh away remains a happy hunting ground with three-goal margins of victory in the past four visits to Holm Park, and that run was also extended with a fifth clean sheet in a row accompanying the success
Arthurs struck first on 11 minutes when captain Lewis Harrison – back in the side following his three-game ban for his red card in the Irish Cup last-16 win over Annagh United – put the Kircubbin man in to slot home.
He added his second from Ben Cushnie’s supply, slotting through the legs of Armagh stopper Conner Byrne, and the 26-year-old’s third and seventh hat-trick for the club came courtesy of a header from Tiarnan Mulvenna’s cross.
That proved enough to wrap up all three points and maintain the Seasiders’ eight-point cushion over second-placed Harland and Wolff Welders at the Championship summit.
After scoring his sixth hat-trick for Bangor in last week’s 4-0 victory over Ballinamallard United, Ben Arthurs is eyeing more of the same in this Saturday’s visit to Armagh City.
The striker was initially named on the bench against the Mallards but was sprung on early after Michael Morgan was forced off through injury, and he made no mistake with his first treble in the Playr-Fit Championship that helped secure a crucial three points.
In turn, the Kircubbin marksman elevated his goal count for the 2024/25 season to 15 in the league and 16 across all competitions, admitting he was determined to improve on his pre-match totals in the build-up to the game.
Arthurs – whose three-goal effort was sandwiched by a first Bangor finish for defender Jack Reilly – was ultimately delighted both to hit the goal trail and contribute to a winning result accompanied by a strong performance.
“I was thinking that, that’s probably a first for me, scoring a hat-trick off the bench – though in saying that, I came on early enough for Mick, I think I’d 60 or 70 minutes on in the end.
“It’s my first hat-trick in the Championship as well, and it is my first in a while – I scored four against Ballyclare but that was in the County Antrim Shield, and I’d one against Dollingstown before that in the PIL, so I’m glad to add another one.
“To be honest, going into the game, I was a bit disappointed to be sitting on 13 goals, I felt I should’ve had more at this stage of the season.
“I’ve missed a few chances that I should’ve been putting away throughout the course of the season, so I was glad in the end to come out with three goals and sort of kick on a bit.
“In saying that, it’s not that I think I’ve not been playing well, I think I have, but as a striker, goals always give you a boost.
“A hat-trick’s not make-or-break – the most important thing is the three points and, for me, that I’m contributing and playing my part to help us get the three points, and we put in a really strong performance to go and do that.”
Ben Arthurs
Looking ahead to this weekend’s trip to Holm Park to face Armagh, Arthurs insists Bangor must be prepared to go the distance against a familiar and well-drilled opponent.
Sitting sixth in their first season back in the Championship after their promotion via the play-off from the PIL last term, the 26-year-old expects Shea Campbell’s men to make it tough.
“We obviously know Armagh City well from playing them in the PIL, and one thing I think you can say about them is they take it the distance, they always go down to the last kick.
“They don’t lie down, especially looking back at the last time we played them at Clandeboye when they scored a last-minute equaliser (a 1-1 draw on November 30), so we need to be fully focused and obviously build on the momentum that we’re starting to build up.
“It’ll be another difficult game, but we’re confident coming off the back of a good run lately.”
In a complete reverse of the opening meeting of the sides this term, Bangor counted on a Ben Arthurs hat-trick and Jack Reilly’s first goal for the club to overcome Ballinamallard United 4-0 at Clandeboye Park on Saturday.
The Seasiders capitalised on a loss for Limavady United, who were defeated by 1-0 Ards at the Rathmore Road Showgrounds, to extend the lead from six to eight points over new second-placed side Harland and Wolff Welders, who have played a game fewer.
The Welders overcame Dundela 2-1 at Wilgar Park to keep the pressure, but Bangor were focused purely on themselves and secured both a fourth successive clean sheet and game unbeaten with a comprehensive victory over the Mallards.
Despite the emphatic nature of the scoreline, it took until two minutes before half-time for the deadlock to be broken after Arthurs slotted home from Ben Cushnie’s layoff – with the 25-year-old coming on as a substitute after Michael Morgan pulled up just before the half-hour mark.
Impressive left-back Reilly added his name to the scoresheet with Bangor’s second on 52 minutes, powering a shot from first-time starter Jack O’Mahony’s ball, before Arthurs hit home his second of the game three minutes later when he converted a penalty after Liam Hassin was upended.
The clincher came when Arthurs completed his sixth hat-trick in a Bangor shirt 15 minutes from time. Fellow substitute Matthew Ferguson played the Kircubbin man in, he rounded Gareth Muldoon in the Mallards goal and wrapped up the match ball and the three points.
Assistant boss John Douglas has urged the Bangor players to adopt a “cup final mentality” between now and the end of the season.
The Seasiders welcome Ballinamallard United to Clandeboye Park on Saturday with a six-point lead to maintain at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship.
With Limavady United and H&W Welders in second and third respectively having to settle for draws in midweek, Bangor are themselves looking to return to winning ways following last week’s scoreless North Down Derby stalemate.
Mark Stafford’s Mallards, who are 10th, inflicted a heaviest defeat of the season on the Yellows with a 4-0 victory at Ferney Park back in October before Kyle Owens’ last-minute winner helped Bangor to all three points in a 3-2 success at Clandeboye Park just before Christmas, so Douglas is taking nothing for granted and has backed the players to rise up when opposition sides lift their games.
“We need to approach every game with almost like a cup final mentality.
“I believe teams are coming here or we're coming to play them and they’re lifting their game against us, so it's up to us to match that.
“We’re the team that’s top of the table, and teams are coming here and they're lifting their game against us and they're finding another gear, and we can show that we can do that too.
“If we can approach games with that cup final mentality, that every game's almost like a must-win, then I believe we've got the squad and the quality to put us in a very good position for the rest of the season.”
John Douglas
Bangor are also hoping to extend a proud record on home soil, with the Seasiders unbeaten at Clandeboye Park in the league since a 3-1 loss to Limavady all the way back on August 31.
Douglas also wants the side to use that to their advantage, with this being a fourth straight match at Clandeboye for Saturday’s hosts.
“We’ve been very good at home, I think we’ve only lost once at home in the league this season.
“I think Limavady beat us in August, Cliftonville beat us in the League Cup as well but apart from that, our home form’s been strong, we’ve been picking up points at home and long may that continue, we need to make this run of home games count.
“We need to be better in both boxes compared to Saturday (against Ards) and that’s what we’ll be setting out to achieve.”
John Douglas
(Posted: Friday, 14th February 2025)
IRISH CUP TICKETS AVAILABLE FOR BANGOR FC SUPPORTERS
Bangor FC fans can purchase tickets for our Clearer Water Irish Cup quarter final match at a pre-sale event on Saturday 15 February.
Seasider supporters can purchase pre-sale tickets before the team’s next home game versus Ballinamallard United.
Tickets, for Bangor fans only, will be available to buy using card only at the media room between 1.30pm and 2.45pm .
Ticket prices have been agreed by the two clubs at:
Adult - £12
Concession (Over 65) - £8
Youth (Under 16) - £4
All price bands have a limited number of tickets available.
The Irish Cup quarter final match will be a sell-out, so Bangor fans are encouraged to buy their tickets at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappoinment.
General sale tickets for both Bangor and Glentoran supporters will be released in due course. Please follow Bangor and Glentoran social media sites for further details.
(Posted: Thursday, 13th February 2025)
THE VIEW FROM THE DUGOUT
Bangor assistant manager John Douglas admits the Seasiders were disappointed not to claim all three points in Saturday’s North Down Derby against Ards but also believes that mindset shows how far the Seasiders have come.
The Playr-Fit Championship leaders – albeit with the lead cut from nine points to seven from second-placed Limavady United – are six games unbeaten against the Red and Blues since their return to the second-tier after a 0-0 draw at Clandeboye Park this weekend.
It’s the second successive scoreless stalemate between the sides after Boxing Day also ended with an unbroken deadlock, but Douglas believes the fact the Bangor players weren’t happy to settle for just one point reinforced the character of the side.
He also felt the nominal visitors could’ve been more ruthless on the day – an argument also levelled following the festive derby – with John Bailie’s Ards having their backs against it in the final 20 minutes in particular.
“Obviously, we were disappointed that we couldn’t go and get all three points.
“I think it shows how far we’ve come, too – we’ve spent a lot of years playing second fiddle to Ards, we’re now on a long unbeaten run against them and we’re still disappointed we couldn’t get the three points.
“Ards sat off us with bodies behind the ball and I think they looked to slow the game down a bit – which they’re entitled to do, and we have to find the answers to break that down.
“Against that sort of approach, you need to be clinical when you get your opportunities in front of goal, and looking back, we’re disappointed that we weren’t more clinical.
“I think that meant the game suffered as a spectacle, it wasn’t one that will live long in the memory from that point of view and I felt for the supporters a bit, it was a hard watch.
“Ards were delighted with the point, which I think they set up for and they defended well; we’re probably walking away a bit more disappointed that we didn’t win the game.”
John Douglas
Douglas paid tribute, however, to a third successive clean sheet, with goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan yet to concede a goal since his loan move from Dungannon Swifts last month.
The Spanish-born stopper tipped a cross-come-shot from Ards striker Darius Roohi onto the underside of the bar just before the hour but wasn’t overly tested otherwise.
At the other end, Kyle Owens and Tiarnan Mulvenna both had shots cleared off the line and an earlier Matthew Ferguson chance from close range went begging, with Marc Matthews’ performance between Ards’ sticks earning him their club Man of the Match award.
“Three clean sheets in a row is a big positive, I thought we were very good defensively.
“I thought we did well to restrict Ards’ chances in the game. There was the one that Roohi had where Patrick makes a really good save to tip it onto the bar, but apart from that, I thought we defended our box really well and they didn’t really trouble the goalkeeper.
“Kyle had his header cleared off the line, he got his head on it at the far post from the corner and got a good connection.
“Spike had a really good chance in the first half from six, eight yards out and it’s one he’ll feel he should’ve scored. We were just a bit off it there, we weren’t clinical enough in those sorts of situations.
“We put the pressure on in the last 15 or 20 minutes, and I think if we scored one of those chances, we would’ve pushed on from that and the game would’ve become more open.
“We’ve talked about it before, about being good in both boxes – and whatever happens in the middle part of the pitch, it’s the two penalty boxes where there’ll be the biggest impact.
“We were very good in one but felt we could’ve done better in the other with the chances that we created.”
John Douglas
After a patchy recent run of form, Douglas saluted the mentality of the Bangor players, with a three-match unbeaten run since the start of February highlighting signs of improvement.
“I think that speaks to the mentality of the group, there was never a point during that run of inconsistent results when we thought the players were just going to lie down.
“We’ve shown improvement since then, and it’s those sorts of runs where you really see the character and the mentality of the players to come out and produce a response.
“I think with the business we were able to do in January as well, I think that’s helped us and we’re really pleased with the window we’ve just had.”
Douglas then elaborated on two of those January new boys – midfielders Aaron Boyd (21) and Jack O’Mahony (25), both of whom are building up towards full match sharpness.
“With Aaron Boyd, he hasn’t played a competitive game since September, so he’ll be playing a few games with the Under-20s to get up to speed and we’ll be keeping a close eye on how he does with them.
“We want him to be a standout performer in those games and we’re encouraged that he was able to stand out (against Institute).
“With Jack O’Mahony, he came into us from Ballymena carrying a bit of an injury and he’s a player who’s still getting up to speed in terms of game time.
“We’re managing his minutes and he’s been coming off the bench in games and impressed; he made an impact against Ards, he’s been brave with the ball and he’s created chances.
“He’s another talented player who excites us, and it’s just a matter of getting the likes of him and Aaron up to speed because I believe they can both make a real difference for us.
“And we’re going to need that as the season progresses, I think we’ve got the depth of talent to push on at the top end of the table and when everyone’s fit and firing, we have enough at our disposal that we can win any game.”
Bangor’s unbeaten run in North Down Derbies was extended to six games on Saturday but the Seasiders had to settle for a second sharing of the spoils in succession after a goalless draw against Ards in the Playr-Fit Championship.
As on Boxing Day, Bangor enjoyed a number of chances to break the deadlock and twice saw efforts cleared off the line but could not break the deadlock, while Ards’ closest opportunity came when Patrick Solis Grogan dramatically tipped Darius Roohi’s deflected cross-come-shot onto the underside of the bar in the second half.
Lee Feeney’s side move up to 55 points in the standings, seven clear at the top of second-placed Limavady United who have played a game fewer, and kept a third successive clean sheet in only the fourth draw of the Seasiders’ season.
The second half in particular saw both goalkeepers called into action, with Solis Grogan’s alert reflexes denying Roohi by inches on 58 minutes before Bangor piled the pressure on Marc Matthews during the final 20 minutes of the encounter.
The Ards goalkeeper tipped a Reece Neale free-kick over the crossbar, while the resulting corner saw Kyle Owens’ goalbound header beat Matthews but not Red and Blues captain Michael Ruddy who cleared off the line.
It was Max Greer’s turn to foil the Seasiders on his own goalline as an incisive counter from the nominal visitors in this derby ended up with Jack O’Mahony laying off Tiarnan Mulvenna to have a shot at goal – but the Ards defender came to his side’s rescue.
Matthews tipped O’Mahony’s fellow substitute Michael Morgan’s stoppage-time header over the crossbar after the teenage striker connected to Neale’s inswinging delivery down the left, and that was that as both sides settled for a point in the end to make it three wins and three draws for Bangor in the six North Down Derbies since returning to the second-tier.
NEXT MATCH: Saturday, 15th February 2025 - BANGOR v BALLINAMALLARD UNITED, CHampionship, CLandeboye Park, 3:00pm
(Posted: Saturday, 8th February 2025)
ARDS v BANGOR
Three points are the priority for Michael Morgan when Bangor tackle Ards in the third North Down Derby of the campaign on Saturday afternoon – but chipping in with another goal in a winning effort would really be the dream scenario for the January arrival.
The 19-year-old scored his fourth goal in five matches since joining the Seasiders in Tuesday night’s 4-0 victory over his former club Ballyclare Comrades, scoring the second goal of the game at Clandeboye Park on seven minutes with a superb long-range lob over Lewis Deane.
The striker is delighted with his hot start to life at Bangor and marking a derby day win with another goal would be a high point.
“Another goal’s a target for me, but obviously I’d rather just have the three points.
“You know, it’s nice to score like on Tuesday night in a 4-0 win, but hopefully I can just continue that.
“I’ve got four goals (for Bangor) and two in my last two, so if I make it three in three or four in three, I can’t really complain.”
Jack Reilly, meanwhile, has backed Morgan to produce the goods while also looking to help the Yellows rearguard keep a third consecutive clean sheet, with the shut-out against the
Comrades adding to last Saturday’s 3-0 win over Annagh United in the Irish Cup Sixth Round.
Bangor are also unbeaten in North Down Derbies since the Seasiders got back into the Playr-Fit Championship, and left-back Reilly (23) hopes that run can be extended to six games on Saturday.
“Yeah, hopefully we can keep that record up.
“Another three points, clean sheet, hopefully Michael can score again and get the tally up even more.”
(Posted: Thursday, 6th February 2025)
LIFE BY THE SEA WITH P.S.G.
New Bangor goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan has one of the most eye-catching backstories of anyone to play for the club and insists he is determined to play a leading role in a successful season for the Seasiders.
Born in Llanera, Spain to a Northern Irish father and a Spanish mother, the 20-year-old is an amicable addition on loan from Dungannon Swifts in the January transfer window and has already played across all three divisions of the Irish League.
He lined out for Coagh United in the Premier Intermediate League on loan from Larne in the 2023/24 season before joining Rodney McAree’s Dungannon on a permanent deal where he made 10 appearances in the Premiership in the first half of this season prior to his loan switch to Clandeboye Park.
And with two clean sheets in his first two appearances between the Bangor sticks – he shut Ballyclare Comrades out in a 4-0 win that came after his debut in Saturday’s 3-0 Irish Cup Sixth Round success over Annagh United when his post-match celebrations went viral on social media – Solis Grogan is already becoming a fan favourite amongst the Seasiders faithful and the shot-stopper has opened up on his fascinating journey in football so far.
“My dad is from Glengormley and my mum is from Spain, so I was born in Spain, they met through the Erasmus programme, and when I was five, we moved to France and my parents work in Switzerland, just next to France.
“After starting in the US, I came here and went to the Glens, Carrick, Larne and Coagh in the PIL, signed for Dungannon this summer and I was offered this opportunity and it felt good.
“To come to Bangor, win some games, touch wood we win the Championship and get us up.”
Patrick Solis Grogan
Solis Grogan paid tribute to Bangor boss Lee Feeney and goalkeeping coach Neil Gillespie for their roles in what has been a double-quick settling-in period for him.
Having thoroughly enjoyed his time at Hagan Park with Coagh when he was an ever-present during a half-season loan in the second half of last campaign, he’s eager once again to seize this opportunity in the Championship and help Bangor in the club’s promotion push.
Catching the eye as a vocal and commanding presence in his early time between the sticks for Bangor, Solis Grogan went on praise the Seasiders squad for their hospitality and role in his fast start at the club.
“I want to thank Lee, the manager, and also Neil, the goalkeeping coach. In the week I’ve been here, they’ve shown a lot of professionalism.
“I was given this opportunity by Lee and Neil to play and I’m trying to seize it.
“It’s funny because people always say that I don’t talk enough, and I find that funny because if you ask any centre-half that’s played with me, they know I don’t shut up!
“But I think people get tired of me talking too much and I think, oh, it’s not new! But as long as the centre-halves here listen to me, that’s all that counts.
“The lads have been very welcoming since the beginning, since Saturday, they’ve welcomed me a lot and on the pitch, they’re always helping me out.
“When I do something well, they’re the first ones to say something good, and when I do something bad, and I’ve had some mistakes, they’re always there to say ‘come on, next one’.
“And you can only appreciate that, especially the centre-halves, Byersy (Callum Byers) and Kyle (Owens), they’ve been really welcoming and that’s the only thing I can ask for.
“Honestly, if we were promoted, I would be the happiest at the club, it’s a goal to look forward to.
“They have done a lot of work before me; I’m just trying to build on what they’ve done.”
Patrick Solis Grogan
Next on Bangor’s agenda is the North Down Derby against Ards – a fixture Solis Grogan is eagerly anticipating with the sense of occasion and size of the crowd that comes with it.
What’s more, with some past connections and friends in the Ards squad, the goalkeeper admits it will be a new sensation lining up against them with local bragging rights at stake.
“It’s something definitely to look forward to, especially the crowd and everything.
“I know some of the lads that play for Ards, I play Futsal with one of them and when I was at Larne last year, I played with two of them.
“So, it will definitely be funny for me to play against them.”
Patrick Solis Grogan
(Posted: Thursday, 6th February 2025)
TRANSFER WINDOW DUO SPEAK
Bangor duo Michael Morgan and Jack Reilly made their marks at different ends of the pitch on Tuesday night but were as satisfied as each other with the impressive overall end result.
The Seasiders overcame Ballyclare Comrades 4-0 at a wet and windy Clandeboye Park to move nine points clear at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship, with Morgan scoring the hosts’ second goal on seven minutes while Reilly helped preserve a second straight clean sheet having been brought on as a half-time substitute.
Morgan, who lined up alongside Ben Arthurs and Matthew Ferguson in a three-pronged strikeforce, was facing his former club for the first time since joining Bangor at the start of last month.
And the gifted 19-year-old didn’t delay in making his presence felt with an eye-catching lob over Comrades goalkeeper Lewis Deane from some 30 yards out – his fourth goal in five Yellows appearances – that added to Ferguson’s deadlock-breaker after just three minutes.
“Yeah, I’ve made a good start, I’ve got four in five so, yeah, it’s a good start and it’s another three points on the board and that’s all that really matters at the end of the day.
“We’re nine clear now going into the weekend so we want to keep the winning streak going, we’ve two wins on the bounce so just continue that going into Saturday (against Ards).”
Michael Morgan
Morgan has the distinction of being the highest-scoring teenager across all three tiers of the Irish League at present, with the Cliftonville Academy product now on 11 league goals.
He’s happy to maintain that form having also netted against Newington, Newry City and Annagh United, but winning games is top of the order for Morgan and he wants to play his part in making sure Bangor stay at the second-tier summit.
“Yeah, I was on good goalscoring form before I joined. I think I had three in my last three at Ballyclare, so I think I’ve just continued that.
“I’m getting chances and taking them well so, hopefully, it continues.
“At the end of the day, it’s about getting three points on the board and obviously you want performances to be good, but you’re not going to complain about three points and a bad performance – you can improve that in training.
“As long as we keep getting points on the board and just keep extending that lead and don’t give Limavady, the Welders or anyone else hope.”
Michael Morgan
Morgan’s goals in the 2-1 league defeat at Newry and 3-0 Irish Cup Sixth Round victory over Annagh both came as a substitute, with Tuesday night his first start in yellow and blue since his goalscoring debut in the 2-1 Irish Cup Fifth Round win against former loan club Newington on January 4 – Reilly was in the opposing starting line-up on that occasion.
Morgan feels he’s gelling in well with the squad and is keen to build up his relationships as his minutes increase.
“It’s good, I haven’t really been starting, I’ve been coming off the bench and doing my bit that way.
“For me, I’m just building my relationships with them, you know, the two of them (Arthurs and Ferguson), Cush (Ben Cushnie), Scotty (McArthur), even the midfielders, the likes of Jack off the left.
“I’m going to continue to build relationships with them and, hopefully, the football side of things just continues to get better and we can continue to link up.”
Michael Morgan
Cushnie added Bangor’s third on 55 minutes before Kyle Owens popped up from a corner to ram home the fourth two minutes later, with Reilly having been introduced at the interval on the left side of defence to help maintain a clean sheet.
That’s exactly what happened and, while he takes pride in providing attacking impetus, the 23-year-old former Newington man loves a shut-out too and was pleased to contribute on both ends having settled in well since joining the club.
“Yeah, to be honest, it’s been quite easy (settling in). I know most of the boys anyway from playing against them and they’ve all made it very easy to settle in.
“It made it easier playing well against Limavady on my debut so, yeah, it’s been easy enough.
“I’m a player that likes to attack down the left, but at the end of the day, it’s clean sheets, clean sheets as a defender.
“Yeah, as a full-back, you love to get forward, but at the end of the day, the clean sheet is first and foremost, so I do the defending job first before I get forward and, lucky enough, another clean sheet tonight.
“It’s good to be here, it’s good to get going and, hopefully, we’ll push on and get over the line at the end of the season.”
Jack Reilly
Reilly, who made over 100 appearances in three and a half years at Newington where he was a Premier Intermediate League and Steel and Sons Cup champion, hailed a complete Bangor performance against Ballyclare and says that is the standard the Seasiders should look to maintain ahead of Saturday’s North Down Derby against Ards.
“They’ve all made it quite easy (to settle), I knew Michael before and knowing someone close to you makes it really easy to settle in anywhere you go.
“Listen, the boys have made it really easy and hopefully they keep making it easy because of performances like that and in training and whatnot.
“Tonight, I think all over the pitch, everyone was up for it. It was the same as the Limavady game, everyone across the pitch played their part.
“We went down to Newry and sort of switched off, but we’re back on track, two good wins, two clean sheets at home and hopefully another one going into the derby on Saturday.”
Bangor moved nine points clear at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship on Tuesday night with a comprehensive 4-0 victory over Ballyclare Comrades at a wet and windy Clandeboye Park.
The hosts took the lead on three minutes as an inch-perfect through ball from Robbie Garrett set Ben Arthurs away. The Kircubbin marksman had Matthew Ferguson in tow and used his strike partner, drawing Lewis Deane out of his goal and playing Ferguson who bundled the ball home from close in.
Ballyclare – featuring former Seasider Max Davidson from the start and ex-Bangor duo Seanna Foster and Dylan Snoddon on the bench – almost instantly responded and came within inches on six minutes, with Brandon Doyle rattling the base of Patrick Solis Grogan's right-hand post – but Bangor settled nerves just a minute later. Michael Morgan did it in some style, too, and lobbed Deane from some 30 yards into the top left corner to double the Seasiders' early initiative.
On 22 minutes, Bangor got out of jail as Garrett lost possession on the edge of his own six-yard box, with Doyle denied by Solis Grogan's outstretched boot and sparing the experienced midfielder's blushes. Deane, meanwhile, denied Arthurs after Liam Hassin played an eye-of-the-needle pass just before the half-hour mark.
Arthurs then headed over the bar at the far post from Reece Neale's cross following a short corner on 38 minutes as the half ended with no further opportunities and both sides trading possession in the middle of the park. Ben Cushnie and Jack Reilly came on for Arthurs and Garrett during the interval.
And Cushnie made his presence felt just 10 minutes into the second half. After a shot from the striker was saved after Ferguson laid him off, Hassin won back the ball and supplied Tom Mathieson, who in turn threaded into Cushnie as he engaged a run behind the line, and the 23-year-old made no mistake at the second attempt despite Deane getting a substantial contact on the ball.
A hairy moment for Deane followed almost immediately when Cushnie pressed his kick such that it almost ended up in the Ballyclare goalkeeper's own net.
But the Seasiders extended the cushion on 57 minutes with a fourth finish. It came from a Reece Neale corner that Deane failed to grasp, and there was Kyle Owens to thump home from two yards out into the roof of the net in what was another KO-blow for the visitors.
In between, Ballyclare had a chance from an indirect free-kick after a backpass by Mathieson was adjudged to have been collected by Solis Grogan, with Comrades captain Cillin Gilmour blasting wide of the left-hand side.
Cushnie almost added his second goal for Bangor 20 minutes from time but slipped at the decisive moment when bearing down on Deane, with the Yellows managing the remainder to see out three more precious points to move further clear at the top of the table.
Consistency is the name of the game for Lee Feeney as Bangor return to action in the Playr-Fit Championship with a home clash against Ballyclare Comrades on Tuesday night.
The Seasiders supremo was keen for his side to enjoy the moment after a fully professional performance during Saturday’s 3-0 win over Annagh United in the Irish Cup Sixth Round.
He was encouraged to see strikers Matthew Ferguson, Ben Arthurs and Michael Morgan on target, with the latter – along with midfielder Liam Hassin, who came off the bench at the weekend – set to face their former club for the first time since swapping Dixon Park for Clandeboye last month.
For their part, Ballyclare have signed five former Seasiders – defenders Max Davidson, Dylan Snoddon and Seanna Foster and young midfielders CJ Sullivan and Mitchel Watterson – with no fewer than 18 players drafted in by new manager Barry Baggley in the winter window.
The east Antrim side, who are eighth in the Championship, have a new-look air about them, but Feeney expects his charges not to drop their guard as focus turns back to the league.
“I told the players immediately after the game I wanted them to enjoy the win – not think about Ballyclare or Ards, I wanted them to enjoy it for a moment (against Annagh) because they put in a really good performance and we got through to the next round where we’ve got a great occasion to look forward to against Glentoran.
“After that, we’ll go into the Ballyclare game on Tuesday night and that’s the standards I want to see us maintain.
“We need consistency, that’s the target. We need to consistently be putting together results and performances and we’ve got the squad to go and do that for the rest of the season.”
Lee Feeney
On the topic of transfers, Feeney says he’s hugely satisfied with Bangor’s mid-season transfer business and paid tribute to the Board for backing him in the market.
Morgan and Hassin have been joined by goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan (Dungannon Swifts on loan), defenders Jack Reilly (Newington) and James Haughey (Immaculata), midfielders Jack O’Mahony (Ballymena United) and Aaron Boyd (Crewe United) and wide-man Jamie McDonagh (Portadown on loan) through the entrance door in a busy winter window.
The Kilkeel chief is confident his panel can push on throughout the remainder of the season.
“I’m very pleased with the business we’ve done this window and the players we’ve signed.
“People forget that we’ve had five or six players leave the club, too; Stephen McGuinness’ loan was cut short, Evan Ovendale, Marty Bradley, Bev (Howard Beverland), Sonny (Redford) Max Davidson, so we’ve had to bring in players to fill their voids.
“The board have been super, they’ve backed me in the transfer market and I’m happy with the squad we have that it can go and push on.”
Lee Feeney paid tribute to Ben Arthurs after the Kircubbin marksman’s goal in the 3-0 Irish Cup Sixth Round victory over Annagh United propped him into outright second place in the Bangor all-time goalscoring charts.
The striker netted the Seasiders’ second on 56 minutes and his 144th in total in yellow and blue to help the 10-man Seasiders into the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup for the first time in 11 years.
Matthew Ferguson – who was substituted off early after Lewis Harrison’s harsh 32nd-minute red card following a lunge on Annagh winger Craig Taylor forced a rejig – and replacement Michael Morgan netted either side of Arthurs’ finish to complete the job against their Playr-Fit Championship rivals.
Feeney paid tribute to Arthurs’ character and loyalty to the Bangor cause after the milestone moment in his 208th appearance for the club.
“Congratulations to Big Ben, I’m absolutely delighted for him.
“He’s shown incredible loyalty and commitment over the years. We’ve had clubs come in and ask about him over the years and he’s always said he wants to play for Bangor.
“He’s been unbelievable in the time I’ve been here, he’s a pleasure to work with and his personality is exactly what I want in my squad.
“He comes in, he works hard and he sets the standards, he’s an unbelievable character to have in the dressing room and he’s been a massive part of our success.
“The other thing is that he’s still so, so young… how old is he, 26? I think he could play at this level for another 10 years, he’s got at least another 10 years in him and he’s still arguably not at his peak level yet.
“So, I’m absolutely delighted for him and he deserves all the praise and plaudits he gets.”
Lee Feeney
On the game itself, Feeney was in no doubt Bangor deserved the win and lauded the display of debutant goalkeeper Patrick Solis Grogan (20) – drafted in on loan from Dungannon Swifts – but disagreed with the call to send captain Harrison off.
Ciaran McGurgan’s Annagh were also reduced a man 10 minutes into the second half when defender Lee Upton was dismissed for a last-man tackle on Arthurs – the resulting free-kick from which the frontman doubled the Seasiders’ lead.
“There’s no question about it, the better team won.
“I thought we managed it really, really well, and Patrick, the new goalkeeper, he was huge for us – big saves, he was coming for crosses, being commanding, I thought he was super.
“He had a really strong debut and he was rewarded with the clean sheet at the end.
“The red card for Lewis was really disappointing, I didn’t agree with the ref’s decision at all.
“I thought it was a strong yellow, he went in to tackle him (Taylor) and he just got his body across in front of the ball, Lewis was going for the ball but he was given the red and now he’ll miss the next three matches.
“He’s our captain and an important player for us and it’s frustrating that he’ll be out for what I thought was a really harsh decision.
“But I thought we responded really well, we saw out the half comfortably and went back to two up top and then Ben was through, Upton brought him down and, to be fair, I thought that challenge was more a red than the one on Lewis but he was going for the ball too.
“That said, we picked ourselves up and Ben scored from the rebound on the resulting free-kick and we just continued to go through the gears.
“That shows the mentality of the players, the characters that we have – we had a lot of boys with injuries, knocks and they continued to play through that, there was no one lying down.
“We got the third goal that wrapped the game up and we’re delighted to get through to the next round where we’ve got a great tie against Glentoran.”
Feeney again sang the praises of teenage striker Morgan, who netted his third goal in four appearances since signing from Ballyclare Comrades at the start of January.
He also revealed another debutant – off the bench – in former Ballymena United man Jack O’Mahony (25) was on the Seasiders’ radar for over a year.
“To be honest with you, Mick’s not even fully fit yet – and that’s scary.
“The first game against Newington when he picked up an injury to his hamstring after 60 or 70 minutes, we’ve been managing that and when he gets to full fitness, there’s no doubt about it, he’s going to be a really, really top player for us.
“How old is he, 19? He’s one of the best players for his age in this country and we’ll just keep working away with him to get him fully fit, and there’s no limit to the levels he can get to. He can be a really, really top striker.
“And Jack O’Mahony, he’s a player we’ve been after for over a year, we’ve been tracking him for a long time and we’re thrilled to bring him into the club.”
Lee Feeney
Bangor were drawn against Sports Direct Premiership high flyers Glentoran in the quarter-finals, with Declan Devine bringing his charges to Clandeboye Park in four weeks’ time.
Feeney is looking forward to seeing his side test their mettle against the east Belfast giants but has warned the County Antrim Shield champions they should not expect to breeze past the Seasiders into the last-four.
“It’s going to be a great occasion, we’re really looking forward to it and the opportunity to test ourselves against Glentoran, who are going really well at the moment.
“Seeing the look on Graham’s (Bailie) face when we drew the Glens, we’re really excited for it, and it’s not just going to be a day out for us – we believe we can win the game when it does come around.
“It’s something to look forward to, like a carrot in front of us both for building up a bit of momentum in the league and the chance to push for a spot in an Irish Cup semi-final.
“In the last few years, we’ve been making progress in the cups, we’ve won ties in the County Antrim Shield, in the League Cup, in the Irish Cup.
“We’ve played Cliftonville earlier this season (in the League Cup), they beat us with a last-minute winner and we were competitive in the game, we took Coleraine to extra-time (in October 2023), we went to Larne (in the Shield) and gave a good account of ourselves.
“We’re not here to make up the numbers anymore, we’re here to compete and I believe we have a squad that can cause an upset.
“But it’s great for us and we want to test ourselves against a big club, that’s what we want.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Sunday, 2nd February 2025)
BANGOR 3-0 ANNAGH UNITED
Bangor have booked a quarter-final spot in the Irish Cup for the first time in 11 years after a 3-0 home victory over Annagh United in the Sixth Round at Clandeboye Park.
Goals from strikers Matthew Ferguson, Ben Arthurs – a particularly historic one for him – and Michael Morgan helped the Seasiders into the last-eight.
Both sides also ended the game with 10 men, with captain Lewis Harrison shown a straight red card in the first half – by which point Ferguson had put the hosts in front – and
Lee Upton was subsequently dismissed for Annagh with Arthurs converting his 144th finish in yellow and blue to move into second-place on the all-time club goalscoring charts.
Substitute Morgan sealed the deal with his third goal in four matches, marking a successful month for the teenage forward following his arrival from Ballyclare Comrades.
Bangor moved in front through Ferguson on 14 minutes when Ferguson converted from Tiarnan Mulvenna’s corner and smashed home from close range for his 17th goal of the season in all competitions.
In between came Harrison’s dismissal, with referee Steven Gregg sending the Yellows skipper straight off on 32 minutes – but despite the numerical advantage, Annagh failed to make it count until Upton was dismissed for a professional last-man foul on Arthurs nine minutes into the second period.
With 10 men apiece, Arthurs doubled the lead straight away and prodded home after Reece Neale’s free-kick could only be parried to the striker by former Bangor goalkeeper Jason Craughwell.
And having replaced Ben Cushnie, who was making his 50th Bangor appearance, Morgan put the cherry on top on 77 minutes and made it a second assist of the day for Mulvenna when he slotted the third coolly past Craughwell.
From there, Bangor managed proceedings and ensured they will be in the hat for the Irish Cup quarter-finals.
Bangor will be at home to Glentoran in the next round. The tie will be played on either Friday, 28th February or Saturday, 1st March.
NEXT MATCH Tuesday, 4th February 2025 - BANGOR v BALLYCLARE COMRADES, Championship, Clandeboye Park, 7:45pm
OTHER NEWS - TWO DEPARTURES
We can confirm that both Evan Ovendale and Marty Bradley have left the club.
We wish both players well and thank them for all of their efforts while representing the Seasiders.
(Posted: Saturday, 1st February 2025)
TWO NEW FACES
Welcome to Bangor, Jack O’Mahony.
The 24 year old has completed a transfer to the Seasiders from Ballymena United.
O’Mahony, who can play wing back or in midfield, has over 150 senior appearances to his name having previously enjoyed spells with Coleraine and Glenavon.
Great to have you onboard Jack!
We are also delighted to welcome Patrick Solis Grogan to Clandeboye Park.
The 20 year old goalkeeper, who has made 15 appearances and kept 6 clean sheets this season, joins the Seasiders on loan for the remainder of the season from Dungannon Swifts.
We thank Dungannon Swifts and Rodney McAree for their assistance in this deal.
After last Friday night’s game against Ballyclare Comrades was postponed, Bangor are back in action for the first time in a fortnight when Annagh United visit Clandeboye Park in the Sixth Round of the Irish Cup on Saturday.
The Seasiders have reached the last-16 of one of the world’s oldest cup competitions for the third time in a row but are aiming to progress to the quarter-finals for the first time since the 2013/14 season, losing by 2-1 scorelines to Crusaders and Portadown at this stage in the previous two campaigns before this year’s edition.
As with the clash against the Ports last year, it’s an all-Playr-Fit Championship encounter for Lee Feeney’s charges – the only one in the Sixth Round – with Ciaran McGurgan taking his Annagh side to North Down for this knock-out clash.
The sides have already met three times in the league this term with Annagh winning the pre-split head-to-head, triumphant in both meetings at the BMG Arena 1-0 in August and 4-3 at the end of December, but Bangor roared back from behind to claim a 2-1 victory at Clandeboye Park in October thanks to captain Lewis Harrison’s brace.
The loss on the Tandragee Road on December 30 stung given Bangor were 3-1 up with a quarter of an hour remaining only for their hosts to storm back and claim the points.
But Feeney, speaking after the Sixth Round draw was made after the Yellows overcame Newington 2-1 after extra-time in Round Five, sees it as a good opportunity to progress.
“From our perspective, it’s a home tie and it’s winnable, it could’ve been worse – and he thinks the same, it could’ve been worse.
“From my point of view, it’s a great opportunity to get through to the next round and it’s shaping up to be a really good cup tie when it does come around.
“It’ll be a tough game, as we know from Monday night (a 4-3 win for Annagh, who came back from 3-1 down) and from every time we’ve played Annagh, we have to work hard to get through to the next round against a really good side.”
Lee Feeney
Bangor will be without the cup-tied Jack Reilly and Aaron Boyd on Saturday, however Marty Bradley and Caomhan McGuinness are available as their active suspensions in the league do not count in the Irish Cup.
(Posted: Thursday, 30th January 2025)
WELCOMING AARON BOYD
Welcome to Clandeboye Park, Aaron Boyd.
Joining from Crewe United, the 21 year old attacking midfielder previously progressed through the youth ranks at Glentoran before going on to captain Linfield Swifts.
While Boyd is cup tied for this weekend, we look forward to seeing him in yellow and blue soon.
(Posted: Wednesday, 29th January 2025)
STADIUM REDEVELOPMENT SURVEY
Bangor FC has been a central part of the community for many years, enabling local people to share their passion for the game and the club. As we look toward the future, we are exploring an opportunity to improve Clandeboye Park into a state-of-the-art facility that enhances the experience for fans, improves amenities, and serves as a vibrant community hub for generations to come.
Bangor FC is committed to engage with fans, local residents, and stakeholders to envision a stadium that reflects the needs, aspirations, and pride of the Bangor community.
This online survey is a chance for you to share your insights and help shape the future of Clandeboye Park. Your responses will guide our planning and ensure that this project benefits our club, our fans, and our city as a whole. This survey will close at midnight Sunday 9th February and will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.
MCGIMPSEY REMOVALS EXTEND BANGOR FC ACADEMY SPONSORSHIP
Bangor FC has officially announced a new two-year extension deal with McGimpsey Removals to sponsor their boys Academy.
Bangor FC Academy Director Neil Watson said: "The sponsorship deal with McGimpsey Removals has been instrumental in helping Bangor FC successfully set up our Academy. Their sponsorship extension is invaluable as we continue to nurture and develop local talent at the club.
“McGimpsey Removals share our community ethos, and we are proud to be working with them again over the next two seasons. Their sponsorship will help support the development of, and provide opportunities for, over 250 players in the local area. We want to continue to help our academy players thrive both on and off the pitch while they are part of our footballing community. This sponsorship deal will be an important catalyst in ensuring we are successful.”
Managing Director of McGimpsey Removals Melissa Gibbons said: “We are delighted to continue to be the official sponsor of the Bangor FC boys Academy over the next two seasons. It’s great to be so closely involved with the local community.
“We have built a fantastic partnership with the club over the past few years and have been impressed by what the Academy has achieved. Making a difference for people in the local area is a key ethos of our business and this dovetails with the work of the Academy at Bangor FC.
“Partnership and community involvement are extremely important to McGimpsey Removals and we are really pleased to continue working with Bangor FC and seeing them succeed both on and off the pitch.”
McGimpsey Removals provide local and international moving services and secure storage within Northern Ireland to the UK, Europe and Worldwide.
(Posted: Sunday, 26th January 2025)
MATCH POSTPONED
Our Playr-Fit Championship fixture against Ballyclare Comrades, scheduled for tomorrow night, has been postponed.
This fixture will now be played on Tuesday 4th February, 7.45pm.
(Posted: Thursday, 23rd January 2025)
BANGOR FC ANNOUNCE MARC WILSON AS HEAD OF ACADEMY PERFORMANCE PHASE
Marc Wilson has been appointed as Bangor FC’s Head of Academy Performance Phase.
Marc has a degree in Sports Coaching, holds a UEFA A Licence and has over 20 coaching experience in local football. This includes spells with the County Down Premier Milk team squad and over 13 years as first-team coach with Crusaders FC.
Director of Bangor FC Academy Neil Watson said: “Marc is passionate about youth football and this appointment will help to progress our young talent at Bangor FC. He has significant coaching experience in senior football, which will enhance the development of senior youth players in our Academy.
“Marc and his group of coaches are determined to attract, work with and develop the best young players from the Bangor and North Down area. We want to see local footballers fulfil their potential and play senior football for their hometown club.”
Neil continued: “The appointment of Marc is another positive step forward for the club. He will be crucial in the delivery of our coaching programme for players in the Youth Performance Phase at the club.”
The Head of Performance Phase role oversees senior academy players at Bangor FC.
Marc Wilson said: “Bangor FC is a progressive club and is the perfect fit for what I want to achieve in coaching. Youth development is key at Bangor FC, and we want to see talented local players progressing into the first team.
“I want to provide an environment that will engage, inspire, challenge and develop players at every opportunity. We will deliver a clear pathway where young players can reach their potential on the pitch and progress to the senior squad. This is a key objective of the Board.”
Marc concluded: “In the past few seasons, there has been an increase in academy players who have played for the Bangor FC senior team. This success demonstrates the effectiveness of our Academy programme. I want to build on this and help ensure more local talented players are called up by Lee and his team.”
(Posted: Wednesday, 22nd January 2025)
SPOTLIGHT ON JAMIE McDONAGH
New signing Jamie McDonagh insists he is keen to bring his extensive football pedigree at home and abroad to the table and give Bangor an extra push for the rest of the season.
McDonagh has joined the Seasiders on loan from Portadown for the remainder of 2024/25, made a promising debut off the bench in the defeat to Newry City on Friday night and is excited to play his part in the Playr-Fit Championship leaders’ title charge.
The 28-year-old winger counts Glentoran, Cliftonville, Glenavon and Newry City – the latter two on loan from the Reds – among his former clubs in the Premiership while also playing
for Derry City and Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland, Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship and Matlock Town, Alfreton and Chester in the English National League.
Formerly in Sheffield United’s Academy ranks, the Lisburn man has been there and done it and believes that experience in the game will be a major asset in Lee Feeney’s panel.
“It feels good, I’m coming into a team that’s doing very well, so I’m delighted to be on board and can’t wait to push on for the rest of the season and help as much as I can.
“I’m a bit older now, a bit more experienced, I’ve played a lot of games in the Irish League as well as down south, England and Scotland.
“So, I’ve come in here and I’ll try and use my experience to help the team as much as I can.
“There’s definitely a chance to push on and compete for winning the league, but we’ll take each game as it comes and see how we go. We can’t look too far ahead."
Jamie McDonagh
The Championship, however, is new to McDonagh. It’s his first time playing in the Northern Irish second-tier and it’s a new challenge he is thoroughly looking forward to.
A BetMcLean Cup winner with Cliftonville in 2022, the winning environment at Bangor is one he believes suits his game and where the wide man feels he can make a telling contribution.
“Playing in the Championship, it was definitely something that appealed to me.
“I’ve played a lot of games in the Premiership and been in good teams and won trophies at Cliftonville, so it’s a different test for me but it’s a test I’m looking forward to.
“I’ve experience of competing for leagues and cups, and I went on loan last year and was fighting relegation with Newry, so I’ve had both sides of the coin – relegation and competing for leagues.
“I thought it was probably a better opportunity for me and definitely a lot better for the type of player that I am to come into a team that’s doing well, even though it’s a different league.
“It would be good to test myself. I thought I would rather come here than go to a team fighting relegation; coming here, it’s a completely different environment.
“The lads are doing well, it’s a good environment to be in, there’s a lot of good players here.
“There’s the chance there for us to compete for the league and we’ve got players there who are definitely capable of it.
“So, I’m excited to join and give it a go in the Championship and hopefully use my experience to help the team as much as I can.”
Jamie McDonagh
McDonagh adds that Feeney was the driving force that convinced him to Clandeboye Park, candidly pointing out that he is looking to rediscover his enjoyment for football and feeling Bangor is the right place for him to do just that.
“The environment around the club (appealed to me). I spoke to Feeno – very, very positive person who knows football inside out.
“So, it’s not like he doesn’t know what he’s talking about, he does and you can see that by the performances and results the team were getting and it’s rubbing off on the players.
“He’s got in a good group of players. The likes of Spike (Matthew Ferguson), who’s obviously scored a lot of goals, Ribsy’s (Robbie Garrett) Premiership experience, Tiarnan Mulvenna – he’s enticed a lot of good players here.
“He’s a good football person and knows football inside out, so it’s just a challenge that I thought I was probably ready for.
“I’m at the right age where I want to go into a team that’s doing well and actually enjoy my football because I haven’t enjoyed it the last couple of years, it’s been difficult.
“So, it’s something new and something I’m looking forward to and I’m happy to be here.
“It’s definitely going to be good for me because, even though I haven’t played in the Championship before, the squad here is definitely capable of playing in the Premiership.
“Feeno was the person who enticed me here, and obviously the team’s doing well which was a big factor as well.”
Jamie McDonagh
In terms of his style of play, McDonagh thrives off getting crosses into the box and, with two frontmen in Ferguson and Ben Arthurs who can do the business in the air, is determined to pepper the opposition 18-yard area with dangerous deliveries.
An astronomical 27 assists in all competitions in his debut season at Cliftonville in 2021/22 – coupled with a few scorching goals – stand to his quality and ability to do exactly that.
He was named in the Premiership Team of the Season that year when the Reds were within a point of league glory, and while he is still working his way to full match fitness, his set-pieces and enticing crosses caught the eye against Newry and he is keen to continue on that path.
“You’ve got two good strikers, it’s a formation that if you get the ball wide and get balls into the box, the players in the box are going to score goals.
“So, it suits me down to a tee. That’s what I do as a winger, and all I want to do is get crosses into the box and give the opportunities for the strikers to get on the end of things.
“The strikers thrive off crosses into the box, you can see that through the performances and where we’re sitting in the league and the goals they’ve scored.
“So, it definitely suits me more than how other teams might’ve suited me, which is also a factor for me coming here.
“It’s a style of play that I like and I think I would thrive in, so it’s just down to really getting in and getting fit and, from there, it’s down to me to do the business on the pitch.”
Bangor boss Lee Feeney admitted Friday’s performance in the 2-1 defeat at Newry City on Friday night was below par in every department.
The Seasiders boss said culpability rested across the board after a bad day at the office in the Playr-Fit Championship when the away side were two goals down at the interval.
Ryan McNickle’s brace for City had them in the driving seat – both as a result of mistakes in the Bangor ranks that the striker punished with a pair of clinical finishes while bearing down on goalkeeper Evan Ovendale’s goal.
By contrast, Newry stopper Lorcan Donnelly was largely untested throughout a first period that fell considerably below the standards Bangor have set themselves – and while a fine curling effort from Michael Morgan on 54 minutes reduced the arrears to reward a strong start to the second half, the hosts held firm to claim the three points.
“That’s football – that’s life in general, there’ll be ups and downs, and that was a real low point for us, a real bad, bad, bad day for us.
“Give credit to Newry, they were up for the game, they were hungry, they did a job on us. They were aggressive and we didn’t have an answer for it.
“We were really, really, really poor across every single department – goalkeeper, defenders, midfielders, forwards. We were nowhere near good enough.
“The goals we conceded were scandalous and we’ve spoken in the dressing room that that performance isn’t acceptable in the first half in particular.
“Even in the second half when we were dominant, we didn’t win our duels, we didn’t have players stepping up and scoring at the right times, we didn’t fight hard enough and we got what we deserved.
“The players were hurting after the game. They were hurting as much as the coaches were and the supporters were, we brought a big crowd with us and we know we let a lot of people down with our performance.
“We have a lot to answer for, and we can’t wait to get back on the training pitch because we need to put this right.”
Lee Feeney
Feeney reserved praise for forward Morgan – who was sprung from the bench at half-time and netted his second strike in three outings since joining from Ballyclare Comrades – and fellow interval replacement Ben Cushnie for adding energy at the start of the second half.
But he reiterated that as a collective, hurt is the overwhelming emotion and no stone will be unturned on the training pitch in a bid to return to winning ways against Ballyclare on Friday.
“I was happy to see Michael Morgan scoring, he’s a really exciting young player and he took his goal really well.
“He was lively and got into positions where we could create chances in the second half.
“And before that, Cush drove at the defence and played one across the face of goal that gave us a bit of a spark, so we got a bit of impact off the bench.
“But overall, we’re sat there disappointed at the end and the bottom line is that we need to be better as a collective.
“When we’re in the position we’re in and we’re fighting for titles, we’ve been in this league long enough to know that if you turn up any less than your best, you can get turned over.
“Every team on their day can beat us and I always let the players know that.
“That’s a harsh lesson for us from that point of view, and you have to deal with emotions – and we’ve already had a lot of emotions to deal with this season.
“Hurt is certainly one of them, we have been hurting after games, and it’s how you respond to those setbacks that’s the making of you as a team.
“After the Annagh game, we put two good performances in a row (against Newington and Limavady) and those same questions will be asked of us now.
“We’ll be knuckling down in training this week and we have to come out and respond.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Sunday, 19th January 2025)
NEWRY CITY 2-1 BANGOR
Bangor missed the chance to make it three wins in a row and extend the lead at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship standings following a disappointing 2-1 reverse at the hands of Newry City at The Showgrounds on Friday night – the Seasiders' first defeat of 2025.
The game got off to a bad start as far as Lee Feeney's men were concerned as Newry broke the deadlock six minutes in. Striker Ryan McNickle got behind Caomhan McGuinness and raced down the Bangor right, clinically placing his shot past Evan Ovendale and into the bottom right to put the home side in front early on.
The Seasiders thereafter struggled to play their way through an aggressive Newry press and, as the visitors attacked on 25 minutes, it was instead the source of Newry's second goal. Ben Arthurs' layoff couldn't be settled on by either Robbie Garrett – back from suspension to replace Lewis Harrison, who left the action early – or Liam Hassin and McNickle instead raced the length of the pitch to slot in City's second on the counter.
A Tiarnan Mulvenna shot that drifted just wide followed immediately after to spark some inspiration, but Bangor still found it tough to string passes together and Newry goalkeeper Lorcan Donnelly was otherwise dealing with everything he faced – including Bangor's first shot on target on 40 minutes when Kyle Owens' powered header from Reece Neale's corner was stopped on the goalline.
A double sub at the half saw Ben Cushnie and Michael Morgan introduced – and both impacted early on as Cushnie's layoff found Arthurs for a close-range shot that was blocked by Noel Healy before Morgan's header was safely handled by Donnelly on 48 minutes.
Jack Reilly's low cross found Morgan on 51 and he was denied by Gavin Smith's last-ditch intervention as Bangor remained lively, but the former Ballyclare Comrades man did make Donnelly pay just three minutes later when he curled a beauty past the Newry stopper, who got fingertips to it but couldn't stop Morgan's shot from finding the top right.
On 71 minutes, with Jamie McDonagh on for his debut, he was almost the architect of a Bangor equaliser as he found Owens at the back post from a free-kick. His shot was blocked and fell for McGuinness, who couldn't get the direction as Donnelly grabbed the ball graciously.
With the subs continuing to make a good impact, Scott McArthur kept up the trend with a fizzing cross that Donnelly fingertipped away from danger, while Mulvenna came close with five minutes to go when his rising shot arrowed just past the upright – but in the end, it just wasn't to be Bangor's night.
NEXT MATCH:
Friday, 24th January 2025 - Bangor v Ballyclare Comrades, Championship, Clandeboye Park, 7:45pm
(Posted: Friday, 17th January 2025)
NEWRY CITY v BANGOR
BUY AWAY SECTION TICKETS
Ben Arthurs says Bangor’s focus should be about keeping up the momentum of a positive winning performance against Limavady United last week as the Seasiders travel to Newry City tonight.
The Seasiders travel to The Showgrounds hopeful of recording a third win in a row in all competitions against the side second from bottom in the Playr-Fit Championship table – though Arthurs is taking nothing for granted against Darren Mullen’s team.
The Kircubbin striker scored the winner in the 1-0 victory against the Roesiders and will aim to play his part once again when Lee Feeney’s men travel to the Newry Marshes where they won 5-4 in a madcap first encounter in September.
Citing recent improvements in performances after a sticky December, Arthurs doesn’t want Bangor to rest on their laurels given a nine-point lead can still be a precarious position in a league like the Championship.
“The target for us now has to be to keep it going. It was a good win (against Limavady), and now our focus turns straight to Newry and getting another win.
“We’ll be fully focused in training on trying to get the result, and it’s as we say, we have to take each game as it comes and continue to put performances in to get the results.
“So, we want to keep that going and, hopefully, we can build on that by getting another win on Friday night.”
Ben Arthurs
(Posted: Friday, 17th January 2025)
ON LOAN
Bangor have completed a fourth signing of the January transfer window with the loan arrival of fleet-footed winger Jamie McDonagh.
The 28-year-old Lisburn native, who joins the Seasiders on loan from Portadown this month, has extensive Premiership pedigree having represented Glentoran, Cliftonville, Glenavon, Newry City and the Ports in the top-flight.
It’s not just in the Irish League where McDonagh has shone, though, featuring prominently for Greenock Morton in the Scottish Championship and in the League of Ireland for Sligo Rovers and Derry City as well as in the English National League for Chester and Alfreton Town. He has also played in European competition and was a BetMcLean Cup winner in his time with Paddy McLaughlin’s Cliftonville.
In 2021/22, McDonagh was an assist machine, enjoying the best season of his career as the Reds finished in second place and within a point of Linfield in the Premiership standings. The right-sided wide man was subsequently rewarded for his displays with a spot in that season’s Premiership Team of the Year.
In 2025, he will now play in the Championship for the first time in his career with the table-topping Seasiders, with supporters sure to be excited to see McDonagh take the field in the yellow and blue shirt.
Welcome to Bangor, Jamie!
Bangor wishes Sonny Redford well, meanwhile, as the Academy striker makes the move to Premier Intermediate League side Lisburn Distillery for the remainder of the season.
The 18-year-old, who netted his first senior goal for the Seasiders against Warrenpoint Town in the BetMcLean Cup back in October, is in his first season of regular senior football and will continue to build experience with the Whites during the second half of the campaign.
Redford made his senior debut aged 16 in a PIL clash with Limavady United in April 2023 and has featured 12 times this term, and the club look forward to seeing him back at Clandeboye Park following his time in Ballyskeagh.
Good luck, Sonny!
(Posted: Thursday, 16th January 2025)
BEN ARTHURS INTERVIEW
If Ben Arthurs was worried the cold weather would put pains to Bangor’s meeting with Limavady United even going ahead, he was as happy as anyone having scored the match-winning goal that put the Seasiders nine points clear at the Playr-Fit Championship summit.
The Kircubbin striker’s bullet header on 12 minutes, standing unmarked to power home Tiarnan Mulvenna’s delectable cross from the left, was a crucial finish in the context of it being a battle of the top two at Clandeboye Park.
Had the Roesiders won, it would’ve cut Bangor’s lead to just three points, but that didn’t come to pass as Arthurs’ contribution extended the Seasiders’ lead at the summit.
It was also probably Lee Feeney’s side’s best performance in some time, with Arthurs lauding the win and an improved start to January that came after a sticky December compounded by the 4-3 loss at Annagh United on December 30 from being 3-1 up with 75 minutes gone.
“Yeah, I was a bit worried about the game going ahead, to be honest. The way the pitch was at training on Thursday, there’s no way the game would’ve been played on that.
“I was checking the forecast, and it was great the game got the go-ahead in the end – we’re glad to get it out of the way.
“It’s a top-of-the-table game, we want a performance but the main thing was the three points and thankfully we got that.
“In the past six weeks, there has been a wee bit of a dip. We have lacked a bit of clinical edge and even going back to the Armagh game five or six weeks ago (1-1 on November 30), that has been the case.
“Against Annagh, it was the same. We were excellent for 75 minutes, we created loads of chances but didn’t take them, and then the last 15 minutes, as a player, it was almost like, ‘What’s happened here?’ It was a bit of a freak spell.
“But we have improved and we have looked closer to ourselves. Against Newington, we created loads and should’ve had the game won in normal time; against Limavady, we improved again.
“Even against Limavady, I was happy to score but we had other chances to score in the game, I had other chances – that one I hit the bar, I was disappointed it didn’t go in.
“Their goalkeeper made a few really good saves in the first half and we would’ve liked to have made the game safe.
“But after that, we managed the game. I don’t really remember them troubling our keeper, our defence was really good at keeping their forwards quiet.
“So, overall, it was a really good performance and we’re really happy with the three points.
“It was great to do it in front of the Bangor fans, and we were glad to win the game for them and lift our own game to get a big result.”
Ben Arthurs
The game was also notable as midfielder Liam Hassin and left-back Jack Reilly made their Bangor debuts, with both players impressing and Reilly named Man of the Match.
Michael Morgan, who scored on his bow the previous week in the 2-1 Irish Cup triumph over Newington, came off the bench here and Arthurs (26) has been happy to welcome all three January arrivals to date through the door.
“What I’ll say there is that we have a good dressing room, and when a new player comes in, you always do your best to welcome them.
“The three new players that have come in, Mick, Liam and Jack, they’re players that I’ve played against as an opposition player and that I’ve admired.
“I’ve known about Jack from playing against him when he was playing for Newington in the PIL and in the Championship for the last 18 months. Obviously, Mick and Liam, I’ve played against them when they were at Ballyclare.
“Liam and Jack made their debuts and I thought they were both superb.
“Mick was really good on his debut against Newington in the Irish Cup and scored, I’ve had a couple of training sessions training with the three of them and they’re all really good guys.
“You have to credit Feeno and the management team as they have a track record of bringing really good characters to the club.
“We as a group of players, and the culture that’s in this club, we’ll always make a new player feel welcome and we’re happy to play alongside them, and they helped us get the result on Friday night.”
Ben Arthurs
On Friday, Reilly took up the left-sided berth normally occupied by Stephen McGuinness before the turn of the year, who has now been recalled from his loan spell by Cliftonville.
Centre-back Howard Beverland has also moved on to Dundela, and as Arthurs saluted the defensive pair, he backs Morgan, Hassin and Reilly to shine in much the same way.
“That’s a sad reality about football I think, players come and go. You’ve built up a friendship with a player and the next thing is they’re gone.
“Stephen McGuinness is back with Cliftonville and he’s a really good lad, a great character who was very popular with the group. Howard Beverland’s the same, he’s an experienced player and a great character who’s done everything in the game. They’re two great lads.
“It’s the case all over the world, I’ve been here six and a half years now and had I don’t know how many team-mates, I’m going to guess it’s in the hundreds now!
“But with players leaving, new players are coming in and you always want to have good relationships with your team-mates on and off the pitch, and that’s something I think is really good at Bangor that players come in and are made to feel welcome straightaway.
“We look to hit the ground running and win games, that’s the culture we’ve built up here and, hopefully, the likes of Mick, Liam and Jack can help us be successful as well.”
Ben Arthurs
(Posted: Monday, 13th January 2025)
PLAYER DEPARTURE - MAX DAVIDSON
We thank Max Davidson for his time at Clandeboye Park as he transfers to Ballyclare Comrades.
Davidson made 13 appearances for the Seasiders across all competitions during his second spell at the club, and we wish him well for the future.
(Posted: Sunday, 12th January 2025)
LIAM HASSIN - No.22
After a strong opening bow in a Bangor shirt, Liam Hassin has promised relentless energy and intensity and insists he is eager to please the Seasiders faithful having completed his move to the seaside from Ballyclare Comrades last week.
The midfielder, who made a winning debut from the start in last Friday night’s crucial 1-0 victory over Limavady United, takes pride in his all-action game and is confident that will translate into individual and collective success in yellow and blue.
Hassin says he’s settled in quickly and his all-action display against the Roesiders was proof of that, with the 23-year-old adding that he was won over by a strong dressing room culture at Clandeboye Park and Bangor’s current nine-point lead at the top of the Playr-Fit Championship which he is eager to help maintain.
The Larne man has made his ambitions known to Seasiders boss Lee Feeney and pledges maximum effort and commitment to the cause to help the Yellows progress on all fronts.
“I had my first training session there last Tuesday night, I’ve signed pretty sharp into the window.
“Obviously, I’d been at Ballyclare for a couple of years, made a lot of appearances there but I just felt it was the right time to move on.
“Bangor’s a massive club and doing very well this season so, hopefully, myself and the boys can push on in the coming months.
“I’ve said this to Feeno when I was coming in, it’s a great group, it makes it that bit easier coming into the changing room.
“I feel like I’ve known a lot of these players from playing against them, so it’s good to get in through the door and meet everyone else that I maybe didn’t know as well, and I feel like I’m fitting in alright.”
Liam Hassin
Hassin, who won the Championship as a teenager when he was part of a dominant Larne side under Tiernan Lynch in 2019, is well aware of the demands of playing in the second-tier.
With over 150 games under his belt at the Comrades and having wore the captain’s armband at Dixon Park, he strives for consistency and feels Bangor have set the standard in that sense this season.
Describing himself as a “busy midfielder” who keeps play ticking over, Hassin has also played in the heart of defence for the Comrades and says his versatility is another string in the bow for the Seasiders’ charge.
“It’s a different league because, as you know yourself from watching it, anybody can beat anybody on their day, so it’s about being consistently good week in, week out and Bangor’s been that this season.
“My game’s probably matured over my time at Ballyclare, I’ve probably come on in terms of reading the game.
“I’d describe myself as a busy player who gets around the pitch and tries to make things tick.
“I’ve actually played a bit of centre-half for Ballyclare filling in, so it’s maybe another part I’ve added to my game.
“So yeah, busy midfielder, gets around and plenty of energy.”
Liam Hassin
Outlining what enticed him to join Bangor, former Larne and Carrick Rangers man Hassin – who played Premiership football for both – says the move was a “no-brainer” due to the Seasiders’ rate of progression and potential as a club.
An ambitious and amicable character, he’s determined to work hard to make the most of any chances he gets to shine and has high hopes of producing the goods.
Friday’s win over Limavady was a good start, with Bangor moving north of 50 points after the 1-0 victory at a chilly Clandeboye Park courtesy of Ben Arthurs’ bullet header in the first half.
But Hassin is by no means content to rest on his laurels. He says it will be blood and thunder every time he takes the field and won’t settle for any less than 100 per cent effort to make sure the Yellows keep setting the pace.
“Obviously, there’s been a bit of upheaval at Ballyclare with the manager leaving and a couple of players have decided it’s time to move on, and I was sort of in that situation.
“As I said, I just felt like I was ready for a new challenge, Feeno was interested and with the way things are going and the size of this club, it was a no-brainer.
“If I get any minutes or whenever I’m starting, it’s going to be full-blooded, great work-rate and I’m excited to be getting in front of the fans and performing.”
Bangor bagged a potentially pivotal three points in the Playr-Fit Championship title race on Friday night when the Seasiders conquered Limavady United 1-0 at a chilly Clandeboye Park.
A solitary Ben Arthurs strike on 12 minutes proved enough to get the win and move nine points clear of the second-placed Roesiders and, in turn, the top of the second-tier table.
Bangor drew first blood, and it was history made for Arthurs when he equalled Andy Morrow’s modern-record 143 goals in a Bangor shirt with the deadlock-breaker from a Tiarnan Mulvenna cross.
It came after Arthurs drew a fantastic stop from Limavady goalkeeper Marty Gallagher that forced the corner, but the Kircubbin man was not denied twice as he powered a header past the stopper from Mulvenna’s delivery.
On a night when Liam Hassin and Jack Reilly, signed in the week from Ballyclare Comrades and Newington respectively, both made their full debuts – the third January recruit to date, Michael Morgan, was on the bench – Bangor enjoyed the better of the first half with Mulvenna and Kyle Owens also bringing Gallagher into action going into the interval.
The second half featured comparatively less by way of goalmouth action, with Limavady opting to change tack between the sticks as Gallagher was hauled off for Richard Purcell.
Arthurs came close to doubling his personal tally and moving into second place on the all-time scorers’ list when he lobbed Purcell only to see his strike rattle back off the crossbar.
One goal proved enough, however, and it could go down as a hugely significant triumph come the end of the campaign.
Lee Feeney expects Friday night’s top-of-the-table blockbuster between his Bangor side and Limavady United to be a stern test of the Seasiders’ credentials.
The Playr-Fit Championship leaders host the second-placed side, with the teams split by just six points in a game Feeney is understandably determined not to lose.
Extending the margin at the top to nine points and following up a 2-1 victory after extra-time over Newington in the Irish Cup last Saturday is an incredible carrot for Bangor, but Limavady are also high in spirit after stunning Irish League champions Larne 1-0 in the shock of the last round thanks to Tiarnan Boorman’s 114th-minute winner.
Paul Owens’ Roesiders are also unbeaten in six in the league, winning four, but Bangor’s best performance was arguably in the recent meeting of the sides when Robbie Garrett, Matthew Ferguson and a Tiarnan Boorman own goal helped them to a 3-0 win at the Rathmore Road Showgrounds on a cold, foggy Tuesday night in mid-November.
Feeney knows his charges must be at their best once again if they are to claim the maximum spoils in this encounter.
“It’s a big game, and it’s up to us now to carry the momentum from the Irish Cup back into the league.
“The Irish Cup will be at the back of our minds of a while now – there’s a lot of football to be played between now and then, and it’s important we don’t lose games, certainly.
“It’s also about having a bit more clinical edge, starting with Friday night. We’re expecting to face quality opposition who’ve got good players all across their team who can hurt you.
“They’ll be on a high after beating Larne in the Irish Cup too, so they’ll definitely have their confidence up and it’ll be a tough game.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Thursday, 9th January 2025)
WELCOMING JACK REILLY
Bangor have made a third signing of the winter window, with Jack Reilly’s arrival from Newington following Ballyclare Comrades duo Michael Morgan and Liam Hassin.
Reilly is a Premier Intermediate League and Steel and Sons Cup champion with the Swans and started in the recent Irish Cup Fifth Round meeting against the Seasiders on Saturday.
The Belfast-based 23-year-old is a left-sided defender who can operate both at centre-back and left-back and has been a regular at the ‘Ton in both the Playr-Fit Championship and the third-tier, scoring against Bangor in a 5-0 win for his side at Clandeboye Park in April 2022.
In addition to that, he featured in both league meetings to date between the sides this term and was regularly called upon by Conor Crossan and Paul Hamilton to produce the goods, doing so to a consistent standard.
And with over 100 appearances under his belt for Newington since joining from Rosario in the summer of 2021, Reilly has impressive experience for his age and now makes the move to the seaside to link up with Lee Feeney’s panel.
Welcome to Bangor, Jack!
(Posted: Thursday, 9th January 2025)
WELCOMING LIAM HASSIN
Bangor have confirmed the arrival of Liam Hassin to Clandeboye Park as the club’s second signing of the January transfer window, signing an 18-month contract.
The 23-year-old, a central midfielder by trade but also able to play in the defensive line, joins from Ballyclare Comrades and follows frontman Michael Morgan in making the move from Dixon Park to the seaside this January.
The Larne man counts the Invermen and Carrick Rangers among his former employers prior to joining Ballyclare in 2020, previously being part of Tiernan Lynch’s Championship-winning Larne side as a teenager in 2019 having come through their Academy ranks.
After joining Ballyclare, Hassin went on to make over 100 appearances for the club, only failing to play in the full 90 minutes in one game for the Comrades this season. He scored against Newry City in a 3-1 victory in October, his one goal to date this season of 15 he netted in his time at the club, and drew acclaim for his performances while forging a reputation as a hardworking and all-rounded midfielder.
Now, he has signed a contract until June 2026 to become the latest addition to Lee Feeney’s panel at Bangor, with hopes high among management and fans alike that he can help the Yellows make further strides in the coming months.
Lee Feeney piled the praise on debutant Michael Morgan and believes he will only get better after the teenage striker marked his Bangor debut with a superbly taken goal in the 2-1 Irish Cup Fifth Round victory over Newington on Saturday.
The 19-year-old signed from Ballyclare Comrades in midweek and required just 10 minutes to open his account for the Seasiders with the opener against the Swans, where the former Cliftonville youth player previously played on loan.
He latched onto a loose ball and drove towards goal, trapping the ball under his spell before picking out the bottom left with a clever strike to break the deadlock at Clandeboye Park.
Although Robbie Morrow put the ‘Ton back on level terms just six minutes later and extra-time was forced, Marty Bradley finished the job for Bangor and Feeney waxed lyrical about his new frontman Morgan in the aftermath.
“He took his goal really well, it was a great finish. He took the loose ball in his stride and just kept running with it.
“He showed brilliant control, he was brave, got in at the goalkeeper and finished really well.
“I moved him a bit deeper into midfield in the second half and I had no issues over that, he kept running and closing people down and he was heavily involved in the play.
“I took him off as I felt he was tiring a bit – he said to me he felt a bit of an injury, too, so that was a precautionary change, but I was really pleased with how he did.
“His performance fully deserved a goal and he got what he deserved. He was hardworking, his attitude, the runs he was making and his link-up play was fantastic.
“The growth in him… there’s so much growth, he has so much room to grow. He’s only going to get better, he has so much potential.
“He’s only 19 years old and he has bucketloads of ability, I rate him as one of the best players for his age in this country and there’s loads in his game that he can work on and improve, too, so he’s only going to get better.”
Lee Feeney
On a day when Ards, Annagh United and Limavady United all toppled top-flight opposition in Ballymena United, Portadown and Larne respectively, Feeney says he warned his charges of the possibility of defeat as soon as Newington’s name came out of the hat.
Conor Crossan brought former Bangor striker Daire Rooney back to his ranks this week and sprung him from the bench in this encounter, but Feeney was pleased with a professional rearguard effort that restricted their visitors’ opportunities.
In saying that, he wants a greater clinical edge – shown in recent displays and on Saturday as the Seagulls enjoyed the greater of the chances as Evan Ovendale was relatively untested by comparison.
“When the draw came out, that was the first thing I said to the players – they can beat us, they can quite easily beat us.
“They’re a good side, they’re in the same league as us, they’d been on a bit of a run in the league and they would have come in believing they can beat us – and rightly so.
“In the cup, there’s always going to be shocks. We’ve seen it there with Annagh, Ards and obviously Limavady, they all beat opposition from the league above, so I knew that there was always a chance we could be beaten.
“For me, it’s about winning the game, and I felt we were deserved winners. We had enough chances to win it in normal time, but we showed good character to go right to the end.
“I didn’t think they had many chances in the game. There was one in the second half when Daire Rooney, he’d come off the bench and he had a chance at the far post that he maybe should’ve scored.
“Even the goal, I would put that down more to poor defending from us, they made the run down the left and got the cross in and we should’ve dealt with it better in my eyes.
“But we created more than enough to win the game and we tested their goalkeeper on a lot of occasions, we’ve just lacked clinical edge recently – it’s the same as Annagh, the same as Ards and even going back to the Armagh game, we’ve created lots of chances and we’ve not been putting games to bed.
“But I’m not worried because we are creating the chances, we are dominating games and I can see we’re looking a bit closer to what we were when we had that winning run.
“We dug deep, kept going and we’re glad to get our names in the hat for the next round.”
Lee Feeney
Bangor are at home to Annagh, who beat Portadown 3-2 in a local derby on Saturday, and Feeney says he and Annagh boss and close friend Ciaran McGurgan are expecting a tricky tie.
“I was actually speaking to the Annagh manager, we’re both happy enough with the draw.
“From our perspective, it’s a home tie and it’s winnable, it could’ve been worse – and he thinks the same, it could’ve been worse.
“From my point of view, it’s a great opportunity to get through to the next round and it’s shaping up to be a really good cup tie when it does come around.
“It’ll be a tough game, as we know from Monday night (a 4-3 win for Annagh, who came back from 3-1 down) and from every time we’ve played Annagh, we have to work hard to get through to the next round against a really good side.
“But that’ll be in the back of our minds for a while, there’s still a lot of football to be played between now and then.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Monday, 6th January 2025)
IRISH CUP DRAW
The Seasiders will play Annagh United at Clandeboye Park in the next round of the Irish Cup.
Bangor made it through to the Sixth Round of the Irish Cup with a 2-1 after extra-time victory over Newington at Clandeboye Park.
The Seasiders were forced into an additional half an hour by their Playr-Fit Championship rivals but sealed the deal when Marty Bradley handed the hosts a slot in the last-16 for a third consecutive season.
This came after Michael Morgan – signed in the week from Ballyclare Comrades – marked his debut with a goal from the start against a side he was previously on loan at from Cliftonville, with that being cancelled out by the Swans’ Robbie Morrow in the first half with it staying 1-1 right until the end of the 90 minutes.
But Bradley ensured there was no upset in this clash of top against bottom in the second-tier and Lee Feeney’s men go on to face Annagh United in Round Six, who despatched their local rivals Portadown 3-2 at the BMG Arena.
Livewire Morgan took just 10 minutes to open his account in yellow and blue, connecting to a loose pass by the ‘Ton and racing in at Dean Smyth, coolly converting into the bottom left corner to put the home side in front.
But Newington were level just six minutes later. An attack down the left ended in a cross that picked out Morrow at the far post, and he picked out the bottom right past Evan Ovendale’s dive that restored parity – as it would remain until the end of normal time.
Bangor had piled the pressure for much of the second half, though, and their perseverance paid in the additional period.
Reece Neale’s cross-field pass found Bradley, who controlled the ball and slid under Smyth right on the stroke of half-time of extra-time to give the Seasiders the initiative once more.
Despite controversy as it appeared the midfielder had used his arm to trap the ball under his spell, the goal stood and Bangor saw out their lead to book their passage into Round Six.
NOTE: SEASON TICKETS ARE NOT VALID IN THE IRISH CUP
Lee Feeney is taking nothing for granted when Bangor face fellow Playr-Fit Championship side Newington in the Fifth Round of the Clearer Water Irish Cup this weekend.
Feeney has great respect for the Swans and feels their position at the bottom of the second-tier is a false reflection of the quality they have at their disposal.
Conor Crossan’s side also have previous in terms of getting the better of Bangor in the cups, with the ‘Ton eliminating Feeney’s Seagulls from both the Steel and Sons Cup (5-3) and Intermediate Cup (3-0) in 2021/22 on their way to winning the Premier Intermediate League.
Insisting that going far in the Irish Cup is a stated aim for Bangor, who have reached the Sixth Round in each of the past two seasons, Feeney is further driven by the desire to make amends for Monday night’s chastening 4-3 reverse at Annagh United and hopes this is the game where his side find their rhythm again.
“We always take the Irish Cup seriously, no matter who we’re playing. It’s a prestigious competition to be involved in and it’s always an objective of the club to go far in it.
“We’re happy with the draw. We’ve had good draws at this stage in the last couple of years in terms of them being home draws and against so-called winnable opposition.
“But we’re expecting a tough game. Newington are in their position falsely in my eyes; they are a good side and in a position in the table that doesn’t reflect the quality that they have.
“We beat them before (2-0 on December 6) and we had to work really hard for it, it’s been a tough battle whenever we’ve played them.
“It’s also obviously a chance to make amends (from Monday night) and we need to be really up for it this weekend to get through to the next round and get ourselves back on track.
“Every setback we’ve had, we’ve come back stronger out the other side, and I fully believe we will get back into our rhythm again, and this is the first opportunity to go and do that.”
Lee Feeney
(Posted: Friday, 3rd January 2025)
CONTRACT EXTENSIONS
Lewis Harrison, Reece Neale and Tiarnan Mulvenna have all signed 18-month contract extensions with Bangor FC.
Bangor FC Chairman Graham Bailie said: “The board of directors are delighted that Lewis, Reece and Tiarnan have committed their future to Bangor until June 2026. This is a further statement from the club that we are trying to deliver success on the field and take the club back to the highest level of football in Northern Ireland.
“We have a talented and committed squad that is pushing to achieve on the field. All these players want to play a key role in bringing success to Bangor FC.”
Bangor FC manager Lee Feeney said: “Getting these contact extensions signed represents an important boost for the club at this stage of the season.
“All of these players are highly influential at Bangor and I believe they will all continue to get stronger and improve with the Seasiders.”
Lee continued: “All three players have played consistently well this term, and it was important to get these contracts settled quickly. We are really pleased that all three players have committed their future to the club.”
Lee concluded: “I’m trying to build a squad to push on in the Championship and beyond. The management team and players want to keep improving and build on what we do each week. All the lads are feeling positive, which is good, but we need to keep focussed as we want to make this a special season."
OTHER TRANSFER NEWS - HOWARD BEVERLAND
Howard Beverland has left Bangor and completed a transfer to Dundela.
We thank Howard for everything since he joined the Seasiders in January 2024 and wish him well for the future.
(Posted: Friday, 3rd January 2025)
WELCOMING MICHAEL MORGAN
Lee Feeney snapped up a long-term target in Michael Morgan and believes the teenage striker is someone who will bring excitement and an extra dimension to the Bangor squad.
The Seasiders boss has drafted in the 19-year-old from Ballyclare Comrades and says he is impressed by Morgan’s energy and endeavour in his viewings of him.
As fate would have it, Morgan scored the very first goal Bangor conceded on their return to the Playr-Fit Championship – a fine finish for the Comrades in a 3-2 win for the Dixon Park club – and Feeney tips the Cliftonville Academy product to weave magic in yellow and blue.
He is eligible to face Newington – where he also spent time on loan earlier in his career – in the Irish Cup Fifth Round meeting at Clandeboye Park this weekend, and Feeney believes Bangor fans will be brought off their seats by what Morgan has to offer.
“Michael’s a player I’ve wanted to bring in for a long time, we’ve been watching him for a long time.
“I wanted to give a bit of freshness into the squad in this transfer window and Michael’s a player who’ll give us that.
“He gives us something a bit different to what we already have. He’s hardworking, he’s got a great work ethic, tenacious, great attitude, he’s somebody who can get you off your seat.
“I think the Bangor fans will really warm to him, I think he’ll excite them and I’m looking forward to seeing him on the pitch in a Bangor shirt.”
Lee Feeney
Welcome to Bangor, Michael!
(Posted: Thursday, 2nd January 2025)
TRANSFER WINDOW OPENS
Stephen McGuinness has returned to Cliftonville after the Premiership side recalled the 21 year old from his loan spell.
McGuinness made 18 appearances for the Seasiders, scoring one goal.
We thank Stephen for his efforts and wish him well for the rest of the season.
New Year cheer was in understandably short supply for Bangor boss Lee Feeney after Monday night’s 4-3 defeat at Annagh United as the Seasiders supremo reflected on a December that arguably flattered to deceive.
The Yellows picked up seven points out of 15 thanks to two wins, two losses and a draw in the Playr-Fit Championship and a common buzz phrase of Feeney’s came to the fore in his assessment of the month.
He feels his side haven’t been as “strong in both boxes” as they should’ve been, following on from an unbeaten November which saw 16 points accumulated out of a possible 18, and was left to rue the individual mistakes that dogged Bangor’s reverse at the BMG Arena.
It especially stung for Feeney because he had no qualms with how the Championship leaders – albeit with a reduced lead of six points to second-placed Limavady United – were handling things up until Stephen Murray netted Annagh’s second goal on 78 minutes that sparked Annagh’s revival.
A Matthew Ferguson brace sandwiched Ben Arthurs’ bullet header midway through the first half, with Ryan Swan reducing the arrears to 2-1 at half-time only for Ferguson to restore the two-goal margin with 16 minutes to go.
But after substitute Murray’s first, Swan levelled it with his second goal shortly after before a mistake at the back as James Taylor kicked out provided Murray with a chance to win it that he duly seized – and Feeney counted the cost of it afterwards.
“It’s about being strong in both boxes, and we’ve been really lacking in both boxes lately. My head’s in a spin thinking about how we get out of this rut that we’re on at the moment.
“Looking back at last month, we weren’t as good as we could’ve been, and that’s where we’ve been really falling short.
“We’ve now only won one of the last four, and if you look back at all the games going back to Armagh (a 1-1 draw on November 30) – barring Institute when we were just poor all round – we’ve put in a decent performance but been poor in both boxes and it’s made a difference.
“Newington, it was a hard game, we battled well but weren’t at our best. Obviously, we were just poor against Institute. Ballinamallard, again, we won but we made it hard for ourselves and we made silly mistakes.
“Against Ards, I was really pleased with the way we came out after going down to 10 men, but with the chances we had, we still had enough to win the game and were disappointed not to come away with three points.
“And Annagh, we could’ve been four or five up at half-time and I thought we gave them very little, and then we were punished in the last 15 minutes for individual mistakes.
“We were in a really good position early on, 2-0 up, and then they got one back, there was a bit of luck with the way it fell and we made our own mistakes in the build-up to it, too.
“But I thought the second half, we came out and I felt we controlled the play, we created the chances, we got the third goal with 15 minutes to go and if any team looked like they were going to get the next goal, I thought it was us.
“We came out focused, we showed a good mentality coming out and I was pleased with how we approached the second half coming out at half-time and were in a great position heading into the closing stages.
“But they got one back and we just didn’t deal with it. You can put it down to game management, individual mistakes – whatever it was, we just didn’t see it out.”
Lee Feeney
Despite this, the Seasiders chief was pleased with how his side acquitted themselves for the majority of the contest before that Annagh late show.
He hailed Ferguson and Arthurs’ link-up and felt the defence had largely restricted Annagh’s chance creation, and the boss hopes that this is the fuel that drives Bangor’s improvement and growth going forward.
“You know what, though, there were so many positives in our performance.
“Spike scored a couple of goals in the game and looked back to his best, the way him and Ben were linking up was really good.
“Ben was holding the ball up and creating chances, we were putting them under pressure and I thought we were the better side in the game.
“Defensively, they weren’t creating chances… it was more off our mistakes that they were getting at us.
“The third goal, it’s a good run from Ryan Swan and he cut inside, that was a chance they created but he shouldn’t be scoring from that angle.
“They had another one where they won the ball, laid it off to Philly Donnelly and his shot was over the crossbar, but barring that, I thought we defended well – it was off individual mistakes that they were causing us problems.
“I thought we controlled large parts of the game, we had good territory and that’s what we need to take into our games going forward if we want to get back to winning ways.
“Afterwards, I know we’ve a team of winners, the way our changing room was, I hadn’t seen our changing room like that in a long, long time.
“They went home and they were hurting, and I know they’re still hurting, I’m still hurting, I can’t wait to get back on the training pitch.
“But make no mistake about it, we will bounce back from this. It’s all part of the learning curve, too, we have to deal with setbacks and I have no doubt we will bounce back.
“Hopefully, we’ll hit back, and if we achieve what we want to achieve, then this game will be forgotten about in the wider scheme of things. That’s what I’m hoping.”
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