Linfield’s worst-case start
It is only one game, but Linfield could hardly have wished for a worse opening weekend.
A 3-0 home defeat to Ballymena United was the biggest result of the weekend, particularly given that five players in Oran Kearney’s starting XI had left Windsor Park for the Sky Blues during the summer. Former Linfield man Chris McKee rubbed salt into the wounds with two goals, including a stunning strike from outside the box.
Credit must go to Ballymena. They were exceptionally well-drilled, disciplined and committed, with every player seemingly knowing exactly what was expected of them. If Oran Kearney can maintain that level throughout the campaign, the Sky Blues could be a serious problem for plenty of sides.
For Linfield, however, the pressure is already building. A disappointing European campaign, an underwhelming summer in the transfer market and now a heavy home defeat have left David Healy and the board facing difficult questions.
The supporters made their feelings clear at full-time, with boos ringing around Windsor Park. It is far too early to write Linfield off, but next weekend’s Big Two derby against Glentoran has suddenly become a very important fixture.
Cliftonville start with a statement
Five players made their Cliftonville debuts on Friday night. They could hardly have asked for a better introduction.
The Reds edged Crusaders 2-1 in the North Belfast derby, with Ben Quinn scoring the opening goal of the new Premiership season before fellow debutant Dean McMaster added a superb free-kick after the break.
McMaster was named Man of the Match, while Quinn also impressed, giving Jim Magilton plenty to be pleased about.
There is still plenty to work on, but winning a derby on the opening night is exactly the sort of result that can build momentum. Cliftonville may not be expected to challenge the title contenders, but they will want to establish themselves as the ‘best of the rest’ again – and this was an encouraging start.
Crusaders, meanwhile, looked a different proposition from the combative sides that supporters have become accustomed to seeing. There were glimpses of good football, but at times they lacked the physicality and fight required in a North Belfast derby.
Declan Caddell has plenty of work ahead of him.
The Heatley show goes on
At 39 years old, Paul Heatley is still deciding games.
The veteran scored the only goal as Carrick Rangers beat Portadown 1-0 at Taylors Avenue, capping another excellent display with the decisive finish.
Heatley retired from football after leaving Crusaders in 2024, but his return to the game has been anything but ceremonial. His quality and creativity remain obvious, and Stephen Baxter will know exactly what he can provide.
It was a feisty encounter, too, with Portadown debutant Liam Jessop sent off for a high foot and plenty of heated moments throughout.
For David Jeffrey, it was a frustrating way to begin his return to the Portadown dugout. The squad has plenty of ambition and quality, but the challenge now is to turn that into results.
Coleraine’s ‘Galacticos’? Higgins has his say
The title race may only be one game old, but the mind games have already begun.
Following Coleraine’s 3-1 win at Dungannon Swifts, manager Ruaidhri Higgins dismissed Gary Haveron’s description of his squad as an Irish League ‘Galacticos’ side as “rubbish”.
Whatever you call them, there is no denying the Bannsiders have assembled an extraordinary amount of quality.
Jay Henderson and Ben Doherty both scored on their competitive debuts, while Matthew Shevlin also found the net. Perhaps most remarkably, Northern Ireland international Conor McMenamin did not even get off the bench.
That says plenty about the strength of Higgins’ squad – and the pressure that comes with it. Coleraine are expected to challenge for a first league title since 1972, and Saturday’s win was a strong opening statement.
Now comes the big one. If Larne’s European commitments allow it to go ahead, Coleraine’s game against the reigning champions next weekend could give us our first real indication of just how serious this title challenge is.
Glentoran start with a ‘professional job’
There was nothing spectacular about Glentoran’s opening-day victory over Limavady United – and that is precisely why Declan Devine will be pleased.
The Glens won 2-0 at the BetMcLean Oval, kept a clean sheet and avoided an upset against a Limavady side that arrived with nothing to lose.
Jordan Stewart opened the scoring before Pat Hoban, last season’s top scorer, added a second shortly afterwards.
Devine described the performance as a “professional job”, and it was exactly that. Limavady had opportunities and made Glentoran work for the result, with the Glens boss praising Paul Owens’ side for defending “magnificently” and putting their bodies on the line.
For a side with title aspirations, these are the games that need to be won. Glentoran got the job done.
Glenavon’s promotion push hits early setback
Glenavon were expected by many to challenge for an immediate return to the Premiership.
Instead, they began with a 3-1 home defeat to Ards.
It was the worst possible start for Michael O’Connor’s side, who were undone by goals from Connor Maxwell, Eamon Scannell and Jamie Browne. Ryan Waide’s late consolation was little more than that.
The result also extended Glenavon’s wait for an opening-day victory to nine seasons – a remarkable statistic for a club with promotion ambitions.
Credit must go to Ards, who produced an excellent away performance and will take huge confidence from the result.
For Glenavon, though, there is no time to dwell. They travel to Newry City on Tuesday night, and after being tipped as one of the Championship’s leading sides, they will need a response quickly.
