Sports Direct Premiership
(Tuesday, 7.45pm)
Following an exciting weekend in the NIFL, which featured goals in every game, Linfield and Cliftonville emerge at the top of the table as they continue their flawless run heading into matchday three on Tuesday.
Coleraine, Cliftonville, Glentoran, Loughgall and Linfield all took home three points in the Sports Direct Premiership Matchday two fixtures.
The teams will now look ahead to a quick turn around this midweek as they return for Premiership action on Tuesday evening at 7.45pm.
Glenavon v Linfield (BBC iPlayer)
Linfield top the table at this very early stage after storming to a comfortable 3-1 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
The Blues neutralised the Swifts with a clinical three-goal scoring blitz in eight minutes midway through the first half.
Joel Cooper, Kyle McClean and Chris Shields all made the scoresheet before Dungannon Swift’s Adam Glenny grabbed what proved to be little more than a consolation for the visitors. Shields consistent form continues, scoring in both of the opening Premiership fixtures this season.
Linfield manager David Healy shared some of his frustrations with the performance following the match despite the victory.
“We got good moments... which led to the half time lead... but sometimes no matter what you say, at half time when you have that advantage you can take your eye off it a little bit.”
“There was opportunities in the second half I still feel that we should have capitalised on.”
Linfield will hope to build upon their impressive start when they travel to Mourneview Park to challenge Glenavon, who are searching for their first point of the season as they host the league leaders.
Healy said he is not underestimating Stephen McDonnell’s team as they prepare to travel to Mourneview on Tuesday and will not be affected by the new and narrower pitch.
“It’s always difficult when we go to Mourneview. When you accumulate the points that we dropped last season we dropped two at Glenavon when we were pushing for a league title,” said Healy.
“Doesn’t matter how big the pitch is, it is the same dimensions as one or two of the other smaller pitches in the league, so we will have to deal with it.”
The Lurgan Blues have suffered two difficult losses, most recently succumbing to a 2-1 defeat to Cliftonville.
Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts
Cliftonville have also won two from two, after defeating Glenavon by the odd goal in three at Mourneview Park on Saturday.
Joe Gormley fired the Reds in front after 17 minutes with a powerful finish before doubling their advantage in the 57th minute through Shea Gordon.
The Reds will be looking to maintain their perfect start when they welcome Rodney McAree’s men.
The home side will be searching for their third win in three outings as they host the Swifts at Solitude as McAree’s side look for their first win of the campaign.
The Swifts will face a difficult challenge as they face their second top three opponent from last season in a row following their defeat to Linfield over the weekend.
Glentoran v Coleraine
Glentoran are coming off a thrilling 2-1 victory at Shamrock Park through Niall McGinn’s stoppage time finish against Portadown.
They bounced back from a 1-0 defeat to the Crusaders in their campaigns opening fixture.
The Glens prepare to host Coleraine on Tuesday as both sides compete to move up the table. The Bannsiders completed a dominant 4-2 performance at the Showgrounds to fend off Ballymena on Friday night.
However, Oran Kearney’s side will be missing Jamie Glackin as the midfielder picked up a red card shortly after putting a goal past the Sky Blues in the second half.
Loughgall v Portadown
Loughgall swept to a comprehensive three-goal victory over Carrick Rangers at Lakeview Park over the weekend with Jordan Gibson securing a brace and in-demand striker Benji Magee getting amongst the goals to complete a 3-0 triumph over the Amber Army in their first game of the 2024/25 season.
They will host Portadown at Lakeview Park as the Ports still search for their first point of their campaign, agonisingly suffering a narrow defeat to a late goal from Glentoran’s McGinn.
Ballymena vs Crusaders
Jim Ervin’s men will be hoping to rectify a disappointing start to the season as Ballymena sit bottom of the table following decisive defeats to Linfield and Coleraine in their opening fixtures.
The Braidmen will face another tough task as they welcome Declan Caddell’s Crusaders squad on Tuesday. The Crues will be feeling fresh as they enter their second game of the season after their week fixture against Larne was postponed.
Caddell’s team had a successful opening to their Premiership campaign as Kieran Offord scored the sole goal in a 1-0 victory against Glentoran at the Oval on Friday August 9 and they will be aiming to add to the Sky Blues’ woes.
* As a result of Larne qualifying for the play-off round of the UEFA Conference League against Lincoln Red Imps on Thursday, they will not be competing in this week’s NIFL matchdays, which means Carrick will also be awaiting their return to Premiership action on Saturday 23 August.
