Lyttle resigns as Cliftonville manager

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Gerard Lyttle has quit as Cliftonville manager.

The Reds issued a statement announcing his resignation on Friday night.

He now heads to Sligo, to take over as Rovers boss.

Mal Donaghy and George McMullan will take charge for Saturday's Danske Bank Premiership fixture with Glenavon at Solitude.

The north Belfast side are currently fourth in the league table. 



Their local rivals Crusaders could clinch an historic third title in a row this weekend.

If they win at Ballymena on Saturday and Linfield lose away to Coleraine the Gibson Cup would be heading back to Seaview.



Only the Blues and Belfast Celtic have ever won the league three years in a row.

The Crues go into Saturday's match a point clear with two games to play - here's forward Paul Heatley.


Blues boss David Healy says his players are determined to win at Ballycastle Road so the title race goes to the wire.

 


The Bannsiders pushed the Crues all the way in a five-goal thriller mid-week and manager Oran Kearney says he wants more of the same against his old club.



A point in their final fixtures would guarantee third place and European qualification for the Stripes - but Kearney insists he's taking nothing for granted.



In Section B on Saturday, Dungannon entertain Carrick Rangers and the Swifts could confirm they'll finish seventh, in the final Europa League play-off place.



Meanwhile, Glentoran are at home to Portadown.

Ports boss Niall Currie says he's already building for the future after their relegation was confirmed mid-week.

He says the emergence of several talented youngsters has been the highlight of the season for him.

Callum Ferris became the youngest ever scorer in the top flight of the Irish League at the age of 15 years and 287 days when he netted a penalty against Ards on Easter Tuesday. 

Another teenager, Ross Larkin, scored the winner against Ballinamallard last week.

Currie believes with rising stars like that the future is bright at Shamrock Park.
 

 



Ards beat Ballinamallard 3-2 on Friday night.


Irish League football will be even more colourful than usual over the next week in support of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender players and fans.

Some players in the Danske Bank Premiership and Women's Premiership will wear special rainbow laces in support of the LGBT community.

Belfast Deputy Lord Mayor, Councillor Mary Ellen Campbell will launch the initiative at the Cliftonville-Glenavon game.

NIFL Managing Director Andrew Johnston said: "We are delighted to support the Deputy Lord Mayor in this initiative. Football brings people together and this is a great way to stand alongside footballers and fans alike who identify as LGBT."

The campaign is set to run this Saturday and next Wednesday.

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