Patrick Van Dort

Premiership leaders Larne turned the tables for a comeback win at Carrick Rangers by 2-1 thanks to Tiarnan O’Connor and Paul O’Neill.

​Adam Glenny’s early goal left Dungannon Swifts with a 1-0 victory over Bangor.

Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy McIlroy has been named BBC Sports Personality of the Year winner over rugby’s Ellie Kildunne and motorsport’s Lando Norris, following a public vote.

​Tyrone’s Nick Griggs celebrated European history with Team Ireland as “a dream day” following cross-country gold in Portugal.

​Portadown boss Niall Currie may have “a wee change of luck” on his Christmas wish list but takes a far more pragmatic view when it comes to one damning statistic dividing last season’s progress with hopes across the current campaign.

In 1965, a few years after George Best made a similar journey, 16-year-old Eamon Atkinson travelled with three friends from Northern Ireland to Manchester.

​A few months after joining hundreds waiting for a chat with George Best and autograph, Portadown man Alan Flavelle found himself in the surreal position of talking to the Northern Ireland sporting icon as his manager.

​Ballymena United officials have formally kicked off the process of finding a replacement for Jim Ervin following the manager’s weekend exit.

​On an afternoon in which Portadown’s reward was built on steel over silk, boss Niall Currie singled out two playmakers for special “bravery” against Carrick Rangers.

Although the Mourne Mountains offer a stunning backdrop, all eyes turned only to George Best when the Northern Ireland icon made an exhibition appearance in Annalong during the 1980s.