Latest news with #BetMcLeanCup
Belfast Telegraph
04-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
BetMcLean Cup winners to receive massive European boost as part of competition shake-up
The incentive to win the BetMcLean Cup has been raised after it was confirmed that, as part of a three-year extension of the sponsorship deal with the local bookmaker, the winner of the trophy will now automatically qualify for the end of season European Play-Off Final. In what has been described as the most lucrative sponsorship deal in the competition's history that will also see the Play-Offs sponsored by BetMcLean, for the first time the stakes have been raised for the champions beyond just the prestige of winning the trophy.
BBC News
04-07-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
BetMcLean Cup winners to earn European final spot
The winners of the BetMcLean Cup will automatically go into the Irish Premiership's European play-off final from next who secured European qualification by winning the play-off last season, are also the holders of the BetMcLean Cup. "It adds real incentive for clubs and fans and raises the profile of the BetMcLean Cup even further," said NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor."This isn't just a cup final anymore; it's potentially a golden ticket to Europe."The number of European positions for Irish Premiership clubs will remain league winners will secure a Champions League qualification spot and second place will also automatically qualify for Europe. Teams which finish from third to seventh will enter the European play-offs, and the winner of that end-of-season play-off will join the Irish Cup winners in earning a European defeated Glentoran 1-0 after extra-time in the final of the BetMcLean Cup in March. The Reds then defeated the Glens again in their European play-off semi-final and beat Coleraine in the final to join Irish Premiership champions Linfield, runners-up Larne and Irish Cup winners Dungannon Swifts in Europe.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
McBrien return for second stint at Dungannon Swifts
Darragh McBrien has returned for a second spell at Dungannon Swifts after being released by Linfield. McBrien joined Linfield from the Swifts on a two-year deal in August 2023 in a move which involved Ethan Devine switching to Stangmore Park on loan until January 2024. Advertisement The forward made 26 appearances in his first term with the Blues, scoring three goals and helping the south Belfast side win the BetMcLean Cup. McBrien's game time was limited last season however, making just six Premiership appearances and not featuring since November. The 23-year-old is looking forward to another stint at Stangmore Park as part of manager Rodney McAree's squad. "I had some trouble with injury towards the back end of last season so I wanted to come in and get a bit of training under my belt," McBrien told Dungannon Swifts' social media channels. "I got that training and then had some positive talks and I'm delighted to get it over the line. "I want to come in here, get a lot more games and show everyone the level that I can get back up to."
BBC News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
McBrien return for second stint at Dungannon Swifts
Darragh McBrien has returned for a second spell at Dungannon Swifts after being released by joined Linfield from the Swifts on a two-year deal in August 2023 in a move which involved Ethan Devine switching to Stangmore Park on loan until January forward made 26 appearances in his first term with the Blues, scoring three goals and helping the south Belfast side win the BetMcLean game time was limited last season however, making just six Premiership appearances and not featuring since 23-year-old is looking forward to another stint at Stangmore Park as part of manager Rodney McAree's squad."I had some trouble with injury towards the back end of last season so I wanted to come in and get a bit of training under my belt," McBrien told Dungannon Swifts' social media channels."I got that training and then had some positive talks and I'm delighted to get it over the line."I want to come in here, get a lot more games and show everyone the level that I can get back up to."
BBC News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cliftonville's 2024-25 season in review
2024-25 league position: 7thPlayer of the season: Joe GormleyAfter the 2023-24 season culminated with the euphoria of ending a 45-year wait for the Irish Cup, Cliftonville hoped to mount a challenge for the league title. Inconsistency prevented that from happening, though, as they finished the regular season in Reds secured the second trophy of the Jim Magilton era by beating Glentoran in the BetMcLean Cup decider and dedicated the win to defender Michael Newberry, who died in May, a penalty shootout Irish Cup final to Dungannon Swifts was a bitter pill to swallow, but after being thrust straight back into action, the north Belfast side secured a spot in Uefa Conference League qualifying with victories over Glentoran and Coleraine in the was a significant season off the pitch, too, as club members voted to accept a takeover proposal from the Toronto Investment Group at an extraordinary general meeting in April. What that brings remains to be seen, but Cliftonville fans will certainly hope 2025-26 produces more silverware and improved league form. 2025-26 signings so far: 2025-26 departures so far: Ruaidhri Donnelly (unattached), Destiny Ojo (unattached), Kris Lowe (Glenavon)
