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!

Bangor underlined their Championship title credentials with a big September, starting the month by beating Newry City 5-4 then defeated Dundela, Armagh City and Ballyclare Comrades. In the Premiership, Linfield suffered a first defeat of the season against Larne while Dungannon Swifts and Ballymena United enjoyed tremendous starts - the Sky Blues would move top for a time after winning eight games on the trot across September and October.

9. September

Bangor underlined their Championship title credentials with a big September, starting the month by beating Newry City 5-4 then defeated Dundela, Armagh City and Ballyclare Comrades. In the Premiership, Linfield suffered a first defeat of the season against Larne while Dungannon Swifts and Ballymena United enjoyed tremendous starts - the Sky Blues would move top for a time after winning eight games on the trot across September and October. Photo: Sarah Harkness/Pacemaker Press

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After spending 19 years at Crusaders, Stephen Baxter returned to the Irish League dugout with Carrick Rangers in October, replacing Stuart King at Taylors Avenue. At time of writing, Baxter has only lost two of his opening 10 league matches. Elsewhere, Portadown enjoyed a win over Larne thanks to Shay McCartan's 70-yard wonder strike while the BetMcLean Cup got into full swing with Carrick, Loughgall and Ports the Premiership casualties.

10. October

After spending 19 years at Crusaders, Stephen Baxter returned to the Irish League dugout with Carrick Rangers in October, replacing Stuart King at Taylors Avenue. At time of writing, Baxter has only lost two of his opening 10 league matches. Elsewhere, Portadown enjoyed a win over Larne thanks to Shay McCartan's 70-yard wonder strike while the BetMcLean Cup got into full swing with Carrick, Loughgall and Ports the Premiership casualties. Photo: Carrick Rangers FC

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Armagh City's success against Premiership clubs continued in November, dumping Glenavon out of the BetMcLean Cup. Shortly after, Paddy McLaughlin replaced Stephen McDonnell as boss of the Lurgan Blues. Shea Campbell's Eagles and Annagh United were the only two Championship teams to progress, but both were beaten in the quarter-finals by Cliftonville and Larne respectively. It was the end of an era at Larne as Tiernan Lynch departed for Derry City.

11. November

Armagh City's success against Premiership clubs continued in November, dumping Glenavon out of the BetMcLean Cup. Shortly after, Paddy McLaughlin replaced Stephen McDonnell as boss of the Lurgan Blues. Shea Campbell's Eagles and Annagh United were the only two Championship teams to progress, but both were beaten in the quarter-finals by Cliftonville and Larne respectively. It was the end of an era at Larne as Tiernan Lynch departed for Derry City. Photo: Alan Weir

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You can see what Larne's maiden UEFA Conference League win over Gent in Belfast meant to newly-appointed head coach Gary Haveron! Tomas Cosgrove's winner earned the Inver Reds another financial windfall for a historic European success. Meanwhile, their Premiership title rivals Linfield were opening up a significant points advantage and the Boxing Day fixtures were once again a highlight with grounds across the league sold out.

12. December

You can see what Larne's maiden UEFA Conference League win over Gent in Belfast meant to newly-appointed head coach Gary Haveron! Tomas Cosgrove's winner earned the Inver Reds another financial windfall for a historic European success. Meanwhile, their Premiership title rivals Linfield were opening up a significant points advantage and the Boxing Day fixtures were once again a highlight with grounds across the league sold out. Photo: Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press

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