How have Ballymena risen to Irish League summit?

Ben Kennedy has shone for Ballymena since joining from Crusaders in the close season

Ballymena United's table-topping form is one of the standout stories in the early weeks of the Irish Premiership season and their transformation is all the more remarkable given how close they came to the drop last season.

Trailing 1-0 to Institute after the first leg of their relegation/promotion play-off thanks to a stunning strike from Daniel Lafferty, now a Ballymena player, the Braidmen left it late to preserve their top-flight status with Steven McCullough scoring a free-kick in the 78th minute and Calvin McCurry netting the winner with three minutes remaining.

The return leg was played in front of a packed, for the most part nervous, but ultimately raucous Showgrounds support, and after a difficult start to the new campaign - four defeats in a row - recent weeks have seen the county Antrim venue rocking again as the Sky Blues have put together a spectacular run of form to climb to the summit of the top division.

Taking into account victories to reach the last 16 of the BetMcLean Cup and the semi-finals of the County Antrim Shield, their run of consecutive wins in all competitions stands at 11 ahead of Saturday's visit to Glenavon.

BBC Sport NI examines some of the factors behind the revival which has unfolded at the Warden Street club.

The Kennedy effect

Ben Kennedy has been regarded as one of the most talented players of recent years in the Irish League but his time at previous club Crusaders - while littered with notable highlights - was hampered by a season on the sidelines with injury and other difficulties which saw him sit out part of his last term with the club.

When the attacking midfielder was made available for transfer in the summer, the smart money appeared to be on the ex-Stevenage player switching to one of the teams operating a full-time model and with aspirations of winning the league.

Instead, the 27-year-old chose to sign for previously struggling Ballymena, and his influence and goalscoring exploits have helped propel his side to top spot.

A penalty in a 4-2 loss to Coleraine was followed by a stunning hat-trick in a 3-1 win over Glenavon which really announced his arrival on the Braid.

Another spectacular strike in a Shield first-round triumph against Ballymacash Rangers came next, then the late winner in a headline-grabbing 1-0 win over champions Larne.

A further decisive last-gasp goal saw Ballymena past Glentoran by the same scoreline, then a penalty double in stoppage time in a 4-1 midweek win over Carrick Rangers and two more spot-kicks successfully put away in a 3-2 success over Cliftonville and a 4-1 win over Loughgall.

Kennedy's prolific spell and all-round contribution were recognised by his receiving the Northern Ireland Football Writers' Player of the Month award for September.

His continued fitness and form will be crucial if his club are to maintain their present sequence and contend for silverware.

Josh Carson joined Ballymena from Coleraine in the summer

The ex-Coleraine contingent

The fact that Ballymena had very limited financial resources at their disposal meant top-flight survival was the primary target last season but increased backing has allowed them to purchase better quality players and reap the rewards.

Manager Jim Ervin benefitted from a number of derby rivals Coleraine's players opting not to be part of the Bannsiders' full-time set-up.

Four-time Northern Ireland international Josh Carson has proven to be hugely influential in midfield and his set-piece deliveries from free-kicks and corners a regular source of goals.

Aaron Jarvis and Andy Scott have similarly impressed following their arrivals from Ballycastle Road, while former Coleraine skipper O'Donnell has added significant experience, although currently having to settle for a place on the bench after injury due to the team's outstanding run of form.

Jack O'Mahony was another recruit from down the A26, while Lafferty and Joe Moore, signed from Dungannon, have played their part in the upturn in fortunes and the fresh wave of optimism sweeping across the club.

Squad depth and momentum

Jim Ervin was appointed Ballymena manager before the start of the 2023-24 campaign

Competition for places is an essential ingredient for any team planning for success and squad depth is proving a major factor in the side's encouraging run of results, boosting confidence in the process.

Among the other players who have made valuable contributions to date are central defensive pairing Daithi McCallion, back on a permanent basis after a loan spell from Derry City last term, and Kym Nelson.

Nelson and striker Johnny McMurray appear to have a new lease of life while another forward, Ethan Devine, on loan from Linfield, has popped up with important headed goals against Cliftonville and Portadown.

A 1-0 reverse at the hands of Dungannon on 24 August, after also losing to Linfield, Coleraine and Crusaders, put Ervin under pressure but since then he has moulded his side into an effective unit, and one capable of grinding out results while not at their best, as they have radically turned the corner.

His endeavours were rewarded with the September manager of the month award.

Remarkably, the club is already just one win shy of the total of 11 wins it achieved in all competitions last season and only eight points short of the total they accumulated in the regular 38-game 2023-24 Premiership season.

Stark statistics that put the progress they have made in perspective and league form reminiscent of that which helped the club secure second place under then manager David Jeffrey in 2018-19.

The big question the club's fans will be asking is, whether they can maintain their challenge for honours as the season continues. November looks to be an especially difficult run with trips to Linfield and Cliftonville followed by the visit of champions Larne to the Showgrounds. Time will tell.