The first big event of the year is always the Irish Cup fifth round where underdogs dream of a giant killing. Ards did just that as Alex Moore (pictured celebrating above) proved to be their hero during a penalty shoot-out win over defending champions Crusaders. Warrenpoint Town went 2-0 up on Linfield the same afternoon before losing out 4-2. Elsewhere in January, Larne lifted a fourth consecutive Co Antrim Shield crown while Glentoran enjoyed a mammoth 6-0 Premiership win over Coleraine with David Fisher scoring a hat-trick.placeholder image
The first big event of the year is always the Irish Cup fifth round where underdogs dream of a giant killing. Ards did just that as Alex Moore (pictured celebrating above) proved to be their hero during a penalty shoot-out win over defending champions Crusaders. Warrenpoint Town went 2-0 up on Linfield the same afternoon before losing out 4-2. Elsewhere in January, Larne lifted a fourth consecutive Co Antrim Shield crown while Glentoran enjoyed a mammoth 6-0 Premiership win over Coleraine with David Fisher scoring a hat-trick.

RANKED: The best Irish League moments from each month of 2024 as another unforgettable year comes to a close

Johnny Morton
By Johnny Morton

Sports Journalist

Published 27th Dec 2024, 18:07 GMT

It has been another unforgettable year of Irish League football packed full of exciting moments.

From Larne successfully defending their Premiership crown to qualifying for the UEFA Conference League and Cliftonville ending a 45-year wait for Irish Cup glory, some memories from 2024 will live with supporters of certain clubs forever.

Here we go back through each month to pick out some of the best moments. Enjoy!

After 45 years of waiting, Cliftonville finally won another Irish Cup crown by beating Linfield 3-1 after extra-time in the showpiece decider at Windsor Park. Ronan Hale was the hero, scoring a brace and the image of him running arms aloft to tap into an empty net will live with Reds fans forever. Elsewhere, Crusaders beat Coleraine in the European play-off as Stephen Baxter signed off with a win, Ballymena United narrowly preserved their top-flight status by edging past Institute while Armagh City (Championship) and Oxford Sunnyside (Premier Intermediate League) sealed promotion.

5. May

After 45 years of waiting, Cliftonville finally won another Irish Cup crown by beating Linfield 3-1 after extra-time in the showpiece decider at Windsor Park. Ronan Hale was the hero, scoring a brace and the image of him running arms aloft to tap into an empty net will live with Reds fans forever. Elsewhere, Crusaders beat Coleraine in the European play-off as Stephen Baxter signed off with a win, Ballymena United narrowly preserved their top-flight status by edging past Institute while Armagh City (Championship) and Oxford Sunnyside (Premier Intermediate League) sealed promotion. Photo: INPHO/Presseye/Stephen Hamilton

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The transfer window was in full swing as Glentoran made what has turned out to be a stunning signing in Hungarian goalkeeper Dan Gyollai. Portadown had already signed the likes of Shay McCartan and Aaron McCarey the previous month while Josh Carson joined Ballymena United from Coleraine in June. Conor McKendry also made a return to Larne and Sam Roscoe joined Linfield for a second time.

6. June

The transfer window was in full swing as Glentoran made what has turned out to be a stunning signing in Hungarian goalkeeper Dan Gyollai. Portadown had already signed the likes of Shay McCartan and Aaron McCarey the previous month while Josh Carson joined Ballymena United from Coleraine in June. Conor McKendry also made a return to Larne and Sam Roscoe joined Linfield for a second time. Photo: Glentoran FC

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Ballymena United made arguably the biggest - and most shocking - move of the entire transfer window in July by bringing Ben Kennedy to the Showgrounds. The former Northern Ireland youth international has been a hit with the Sky Blues so far, scoring 12 goals in 19 Premiership appearances. Irish League clubs also started their summer European adventures with Crusaders, Cliftonville and Linfield eliminated from the Conference League while Larne were dumped out of the Champions League by RFS.

7. July

Ballymena United made arguably the biggest - and most shocking - move of the entire transfer window in July by bringing Ben Kennedy to the Showgrounds. The former Northern Ireland youth international has been a hit with the Sky Blues so far, scoring 12 goals in 19 Premiership appearances. Irish League clubs also started their summer European adventures with Crusaders, Cliftonville and Linfield eliminated from the Conference League while Larne were dumped out of the Champions League by RFS. Photo: INPHO/Presseye/Declan Roughan

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Irish League history was made in the closing days of August as Larne booked their spot in the UEFA Conference League after Andy Ryan scored a hat-trick in their final qualifying play-off victory over Lincoln Red Imps. In the Premiership, Dean Shiels enjoyed a first win as Coleraine head coach by beating Ballymena United 4-2 and Declan Caddell's Crusaders reign began with a 1-0 win over Glentoran at The Oval. Linfield set the early pace with an unbeaten month.

8. August

Irish League history was made in the closing days of August as Larne booked their spot in the UEFA Conference League after Andy Ryan scored a hat-trick in their final qualifying play-off victory over Lincoln Red Imps. In the Premiership, Dean Shiels enjoyed a first win as Coleraine head coach by beating Ballymena United 4-2 and Declan Caddell's Crusaders reign began with a 1-0 win over Glentoran at The Oval. Linfield set the early pace with an unbeaten month. Photo: Inpho/Stephen Hamilton

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