The new Boyle Sports Premiership season got underway with plenty of drama, big performances and one major surprise. Here is how the opening weekend unfolded.
Cliftonville 2-1 Crusaders (Friday)
The season began with an entertaining North Belfast derby at Solitude, with Cliftonville edging out Crusaders 2-1.
The hosts took the lead after just 11 minutes through summer signing Ben Quinn, before another debutant, Dean McMaster, doubled the advantage after 63 minutes with a well-executed free-kick into the bottom corner.
Crusaders continued to threaten and eventually pulled one back through Elliot Dunlop in stoppage time, but it proved too late to rescue a point.
It was a positive opening night for Jim Magilton’s side, while Crusaders showed enough to suggest they will have plenty to offer despite beginning the campaign with defeat.
Carrick Rangers 1-0 Portadown
Carrick Rangers began their campaign with a hard-fought victory over Portadown in a feisty encounter at Taylors Avenue.
The game changed on 26 minutes when Portadown debutant Liam Jessop was shown a straight red card for a high challenge, leaving David Jeffrey’s side with more than an hour to play with 10 men.
Carrick immediately looked to take advantage, with Danny Gibson hitting the post and Jordan Forsythe later seeing a header brilliantly saved by Aaron McCarey.
The visitors still threatened despite their numerical disadvantage, but it was Carrick who finally broke the deadlock on 62 minutes. A partially cleared cross fell to Paul Heatley, who fired past McCarey to give Stephen Baxter’s side the lead.
The veteran’s goal proved decisive as Carrick held on for three points in an entertaining opening-day contest.
Dungannon Swifts 1-3 Coleraine
Coleraine began their campaign with a 3-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts in a repeat of last season’s Irish Cup final.
The Bannsiders had the better of the opening stages, with Declan Dunne keeping Dungannon in the contest on several occasions. The goalkeeper produced an excellent save to deny Senan Devine before also keeping out a Will Patching free-kick.
Coleraine finally broke through in first-half stoppage time, with debutant Jay Henderson making an immediate impact. Joel Cooper and Ben Doherty combined before the former Ross County man fired low past Dunne.
Ben Doherty doubled the advantage shortly after half-time with a superb individual finish, curling into the roof of the net from distance.
Sean McAllister gave the Swifts hope with a well-struck effort from 25 yards, but Matthew Shevlin restored Coleraine’s two-goal advantage with a close-range finish late on.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ side therefore made a winning start to their title challenge, while Dungannon will feel they were competitive for long periods.
Glentoran 2-0 Limavady United
Glentoran began the season with a comfortable 2-0 victory over newly-promoted Limavady United at the BetMcLean Oval.
The hosts dominated the opening half and repeatedly threatened, with Marty Gallagher producing a number of impressive saves to keep Limavady level. Tiarnan Boorman also cleared a Pat Hoban effort off the line as the Roesiders survived a sustained period of pressure.
Limavady came out with more intent after the break and went close through Philip Lowry, who missed a good opportunity from Leon Boyd’s cross.
Glentoran eventually found the breakthrough on 61 minutes when substitute Jordan Stewart headed home Ryan Cooney’s corner.
They doubled their advantage just two minutes later, with Pat Hoban rising at the back post to head Jack Malone’s cross beyond Gallagher.
The two quickfire goals settled the contest and gave Declan Devine’s side a positive start to the new campaign.
Linfield 0-3 Ballymena United
The result of the opening weekend came at Windsor Park, where Ballymena United produced a stunning 3-0 victory over Linfield.
The hosts started brightly, but Ballymena took the lead after 10 minutes through former Linfield midfielder Chris McKee. Chris Johns saved McKee’s initial effort, but could not prevent him converting the rebound from close range.
Linfield pushed for an equaliser and David Walsh made several important saves, including a fine stop to deny Matthew Fitzpatrick before Darragh Leahy’s follow-up was blocked.
Ballymena remained dangerous on the counter and doubled their advantage after 59 minutes. McKee was afforded space in midfield and took full advantage, firing a spectacular 25-yard strike beyond Johns for his second of the afternoon.
The Sky Blues then put the result beyond doubt in the 70th minute. Success Edogun was given too much time on the edge of the box and calmly found the bottom corner.
Ballymena, who started with six former Linfield players, secured their first league victory at Windsor Park since 2004 in emphatic fashion.
For Linfield, it was a hugely disappointing opening afternoon, while Ballymena could hardly have wished for a better start to their campaign.
