Irish Premiership: As it happened

1. Ards 1-0 Dungannon Swifts
2. Ballymena United 4-3 Glenavon
3. Coleraine 4-2 Crusaders
4. Glentoran 2-2 Warrenpoint Town
5. Institute 2-1 Newry City
6. Linfield 5-1 Cliftonville

Glory night for Sky Blues

That's it from us on a memorable night in the history of Ballymena United.

The Sky Blues secured runners-up spot in the Irish Premiership for only the third time in their history - and the first in 39 years - by beating their nearest challengers Glenavon 4-3 in a superb match.

At the other end of the table, Ards have given themselves a great chance of avoiding automatic relegation after a precious 1-0 win over Dungannon Swifts, while rivals Newry City were beaten 2-1 at Institute.

Elsewhere, champions Linfield returned to winning ways by thrashing Cliftonville, Coleraine defeated Irish Cup finalists Crusaders 4-2, while Glentoran and Warrenpoint Town shared the spoils at the Oval.

Join us on Saturday for the final round of league fixtures this season when we will discover whether Ards or Newry will take the dreaded drop to the Championship.

Until then, it's bye for now.

'We were good from minute one' - Healy

I thought we were good from minute one tonight. We were disappointing on Saturday but it was a lot more positive tonight. We were on the front foot and got the goals at good times and some of our play tonight was very good. The attention turns to next year. It's a demanding club, we have to keep winning games. It's time to move on from the title party now. That's what good teams do. We have a hungry squad of players and they'll be ready to defend the title. It'll be a tough ask but hopefully the players will be ready for the challenge.

David HealyLinfield manager

Jeffrey hails 'phenomenal' achievement

It's phenomenal - it's really just another chapter in the rollercoaster book that is Ballymena United. Great credit must go to both sets of players because it was really difficult to play in a swirling wind. But to come out on the end of a 4-3 win, I don't think anyone could deny we deserved to win over the piece. I'm so very, very proud of the players, particularly when you think Glenavon were coming in off the back of a great result against Linfield. I'm just delighted that we don't have to worry about the play-offs and that we have secured second place outright.

David JeffreyBallymena United manager

'Institute have picked up a gem in Ronan Doherty'

It's fantastic - the most pleasing thing for me was that I got a reaction from the players, so I'm delighted. I know most of the players and Institute have picked up a gem in Ronan Doherty.

John QuiggInstitute manager

'We've not been good enough in front of goal'

We didn't do enough to win the game. It's been a common theme throughout the season - we've not been good enough in front of goal. But we'll be fighting to the end and will just concentrate on ourselves going into the final game.

Darren MullenNewry City boss

Feeney 'buzzing' with Ards win

We probably didn't play well tonight but at this stage of the season it's about getting points on the board. We were probably second best tonight but the one thing that really pleased me was the way we defended and worked for each other and it is the one thing I demanded when I came in, energy and hard work. I am buzzing with them.

Warren FeeneyArds manager

Former Reds defender Donaghy has his say

Millar caps five-star Blues display

Five star for the blues

What don't Cliftonville like about April 23rd?

April 23, 2016: Linfield 4-0 CliftonvilleApril 23, 2019: Linfield 5-1 Cliftonville

Not a date Reds fans would like to remember.

Shane's stunner clinches it for Ballymena

Substitute Shane McGinty hits the winner for Ballymena

Results

The full-time whistles have gone in all six games.

BBC Sport

Results

FULL-TIME

Ards have taken a huge step towards avoiding the automatic drop.

Michael McLellan's 7th minute goal is the difference and that is a huge three points.

Three points ahead of Newry with a four goal cushion with one game remaining means they aren't out of the woods just yet. But that's a really big win.

Mitchell effort not enough

Andrew Mitchell's goal which brought Glenavon level at 3-3 - only for Shane McGinty's late effort to win it for Ballymena.

Andrew Mitchell gets Glenavon's third of the night

FULL-TIME

Honours even at the Oval.

FULL-TIME

Referee Lee Tavinder finally brings an enthralling match to a finish and it means Ballymena United will finish second for the first time in 39 years.

A marvellous match in a memorable season for the Sky Blues and there's be European football at the Warden Street Showgrounds next term.

Golden opportunity

Big late chance for a Dungannon equaliser as Jarlath O'Rourke finds the ball at his feet from point blank range but he blasts over.

One minute of added time left, can Ards hang on?

FULL-TIME

Jamie McGonigle's hat-trick helps Coleraine to a Showgrounds victory over the Crues.

McDonnell shown down the tunnel

Stephen McDonnell gets into a wee verbal joust with the officials after that Glens equaliser which results in the Point manager being sent down the tunnel.

Those who have been to Oval before will know that the tunnel and the dugouts are at opposite ends so McDonnell has to make a rather long walk of shame across the pitch.

FULL-TIME

Newry stay bottom with one game left after Institute secure a deserved win at the Brandywell.

FULL-TIME

A five-star display sees the champions outclass Cliftonville at Windsor Park.

Goals from Daniel Kearns, Michael O'Connor (2), Jordan Stewart and Kirk Millar give the Blues their biggest win over the Reds since April 2016.