Sports Direct Premiership
Dungannon Swifts 2-1 Loughgall
Ballymena United 2-2 Coleraine
Larne 0-0 Carrick Rangers
With six matches kicking off at 3pm, Dungannon Swifts were quickest out of the blocks in the Sports Direct Premiership, as Dean Curry put them one to the good against Loughgall. The centre-back rose highest with a header, nodding in on 19 minutes.
From there to the break it was fairly uneventful, with a Daniel Wallace booking and a John McGovern half chance amounting to nothing as Dungannon sought to build on their advantage.
But it was McGovern who eventually doubled the lead in the 67th minute, and although Jay Boyd’s goal came about as a result of stern Loughgall pressure, the hosts held out to claim maximum points against the league’s bottom side.
Elsewhere, it was the away side who took the lead at The Showgrounds, as Ethan Devine put Ballymena United in front in Coleraine.
A tasty Alex Gawne cross was dispatched by the 23-year-old striker, and it was Devine once more with the finishing touch in first-half stoppage time, giving his side a two-goal cushion at the break.
And Ballymena were left to rue that fact, as Matthew Shevlin equalised from the penalty spot. Both sides had chances to take the three points, but it finished honours even at 2-2.
With three wins in their last four, including a famous European win over Belgian outfit Gent, Larne were looking to overturn a poor start domestically with a win at home to Carrick Rangers.
Two goals ruled out for offside rendered them frustrated - the second of which coming from Matty Lusty - as Carrick held out in a goalless first half.
Andy Ryan then put the ball in the net for the third time as the final whistle loomed, but once again he and his side were denied, as Carrick held out for a point.