Irish Premiership Round-Up Week One – 4 August 2018

Football is back with a bang in the Irish League with Coleraine, Linfield, Ballymena, Cliftonville and newly promoted Institute picking up opening day wins. 

Last season’s runners up Coleraine got their season off to the perfect start with a routine 3-0 win at home to Warrenpoint Town. 

Ian Parkhill opened the scoring in the 38thminute of the game before Stephen Lowry doubled the advantage just before the break. 

Oran Kearney’s men got a dream start to the second stanza as Eoin Bradley’s perseverance paid off as he profited from a mix up at the back to tap into the empty net. 

The Bannsiders picking up where they left off last season with a comfortable 3-0 as they look to mount another title charge. 

Linfield travelled to Mourneview Park for their first clash of the season against a strong Glenavon outfit. 

The Blues will look to put last year’s dismal campaign behind them and they have started off on the right foot this time around. 

Daniel Kearns’ strike on the half hour mark secured all three points for the Windsor Park men. 

There was late drama at the Oval as Cliftonville came from behind to beat Glentoran. 

John McGuigan put the Glens in front ten minutes before the break, a lead they held until 20 minutes from time with Joe Gormley equalising. 



However, the drama didn’t end there as the Reds scored a winner in the 92ndminute of the game through Jay Donnelly to steal all three points. 

Ballymena United left Stangmore Park victorious in the side’s first meeting of the season. 

Goals from William Faulkner and a Tony Kane penalty secured all three points before the break as Dungannon Swifts were reduced to ten in the 77thminute with Chris Hegarty seeing red. 

Two newly promoted sides in Institute and Newry City met in a historic clash at the Brandywell. 

The tie was the first Irish League clash played at the Lonemoor Road venue in 47 years. 

Michael McCrudden’s strike in the 17thminute of the game gave Stute the dream start to life in the Premiership and a massive three points in a game which is a real six pointer even this early in the season. 



Reigning champions, Crusaders got off to a winning start in a thrilling contest with Ards. 

Michael Carvill put the Crues ahead in the 23rdminute of the game before former Derry City striker and new signing Rory Patterson doubled the advantage. 

Ards replied and were level through strikes from Gareth Tommons either side of half time. 

Patterson would step up and send a panenka penalty over the bar before Jordan Forsythe shot the home side into the lead ahead of the visitors being reduced to ten men as Joshua Kelly saw red. 

Declan Caddell netted in injury time to ensure the champions opened their account for the season with a victory. 

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