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Gareth Fullerton

NIFL Premiership post-split fixtures announced as season reaches climax

The post-split fixture schedule has been confirmed as this season's Irish Premiership season reaches its climax.

Larne have just five games standing between them and a first-ever Gibson Cup.

The Inver men sit five points clear of champions Linfield, with Cliftonville a further two points back in third.

Read more: Irish Premiership RECAP as Larne are held by 10-man Coleraine

All the top six will have to play each other before any trophy is handed out, while there promises to be similar drama at the bottom end of the table with Portadown, Dungannon Swifts and Newry City all lookin to avoid the drop.

On Good Friday (7 April 2023) Premiership leaders Larne will host Glentoran at Inver Park.

Live on Easter Tuesday, Belfast rivals Linfield and Glentoran meet at Windsor Park, then the cameras roll onto Seaview on Friday, April 14 as Crusaders host Larne before the battle of the top two at Inver Park as Larne take on Linfield the following Friday.

The 2023/2023 regular season campaign concludes on Saturday, April 29 with the final round of matches all kicking off concurrently at 5.30pm.

The Northern Ireland Football League released the confirmed fixtures for the post-split schedule on Saturday evening, despite there being a couple of outstanding games to be played.

Saturday's game between Ballymena United and Glenavon was postponed due to a waterlogged Showgrounds pitch, while Glentoran take on Portadown on April 1.

Fixtures

Friday 7 April 2023 (7.45pm)

  • Cliftonville v Coleraine
  • Larne v Glentoran
  • Linfield v Crusaders
  • Carrick Rangers v Newry City
  • Glenavon v Dungannon Swifts
  • Portadown v Ballymena United

Monday 10 April 2023 (3pm)

  • Carrick Rangers v Dungannon Swifts

Tuesday 11 April 2023 (7.45pm)

  • Cliftonville v Larne
  • Crusaders v Coleraine
  • Linfield v Glentoran
  • Glenavon v Ballymena United
  • Portadown v Newry City

Friday 14 April 2023 (7.45pm)

  • Crusaders v Larne
  • Saturday 15 April 2023 (3pm)
  • Coleraine v Linfield
  • Glentoran v Cliftonville
  • Ballymena United v Dungannon Swifts

Friday 21 April 2023 (7.45pm)

  • Larne v Linfield

Saturday 22 April 2023 (3pm)

  • Cliftonville v Crusaders
  • Glentoran v Coleraine

Saturday 29 April 2023 (5.30pm)

  • Cliftonville v Linfield
  • Coleraine v Larne
  • Crusaders v Glentoran

Status

Automatic European Qualification:

Second place in the Danske Bank Premiership will earn automatic qualification to the UEFA Europa Conference League, joining the winners of Irish Cup (tbc on Sunday 7 May 2023).

All the top six clubs are still in contention for automatic European qualification, as should the Irish Cup winners have already qualified for Europe through their league standings, the third placed team would gain entry into the Conference League.

European Playoffs:

In Section B of the split, seventh place holds significant importance as this will gain entry into the European Playoff series alongside the remaining clubs in Section A, who have not qualified directly for Europe.

Dates for the European Playoffs are still to be confirmed.

Relegation:

The team that finishes bottom (12th) in the Danske Bank Premiership will be automatically relegated with the team finishing in eleventh place facing a two-legged playoff against the second placed team in the Lough 41 Championship.

Dates for the Promotion/Relegation Playoffs are still to be confirmed.

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