Ballymena United have completed a loan signing and discovered their cup fate as they look to improve on a difficult start to the Premiership season. The Sky Blues, currently ninth with four points from four games, have brought in defender Kodi Lyons-Build from rivals Coleraine and will face Crusaders in the ToalsBet Senior Shield quarter-finals.
Who is Ballymena United's new defensive signing?
Manager Oran Kearney moved to address a defensive shortage by securing Kodi Lyons-Build on a short-term loan. The Belfast News Letter reported the 29-year-old defender will stay at the Ballymena Showgrounds until the January transfer window, providing cover for the injured Jonny Addis. Kearney described the player as someone who "ticks all our boxes" given his experience with Glentoran and Coleraine.
Lyons-Build, a product of academy systems at Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa, said he was excited to join after years of facing Ballymena as an opponent. He highlighted the atmosphere created by the home fans and called it a "great football club." The deal was confirmed just before the summer transfer window closed, with Coleraine's club statement wishing him well during his time with the Sky Blues.
What is Ballymena United's upcoming cup fixture?
The draw for the ToalsBet Senior Shield quarter-finals has paired Ballymena United with Crusaders. According to the BBC, the tie is scheduled to be played on Tuesday, 13 October. The winner will face either Dundela or Larne in the semi-finals, setting up a potential path to the final for the Sky Blues.
This cup competition offers a different challenge from the league campaign, where the team has scored six goals but conceded the same number. You can view the full cup and league fixtures on our schedule page. The club will be aiming for a strong run to build momentum during a period where they sit nine points behind league leaders Coleraine FC.
How did Ballymena United fare in their last league match?
Ballymena United were held to a 2-2 draw by Bangor in a Premiership match last weekend, as reported by the Belfast News Letter. The Sky Blues had taken a 2-0 lead into half-time thanks to goals from Josh Archer and Matthew Clarke but conceded twice in the second half. Bangor's Tiarnan Mulvenna scored a late equaliser to salvage a point for the newly-promoted side.
Mulvenna told his club's website that his team "had to show a lot of bottle" to come back from two goals down. The result means Ballymena's recent form reads DLLW, with their only victory so far this season coming earlier in the campaign. The team's current standings show them in ninth place, looking to climb the table.
What is the immediate focus for Ballymena United?
The immediate priority is preparing for the next league fixture, a home match against Limavady United on 12 December. Limavady currently sit 11th in the table, making it a significant opportunity for Ballymena to add points. Manager Oran Kearney will be integrating his new loan signing into a defensive unit that has shown vulnerability.
The team must also manage the absence of Jonny Addis while balancing commitments across multiple competitions. With the cup draw now known, planning for the October clash with Crusaders begins, but the league remains the primary concern. The club's next match is at the Ballymena Showgrounds on 12 December 2026.
