Irish Premiership: Coleraine beat Glentoran to stay five clear

Coleraine have taken 34 points out of a possible 36 this season

Coleraine's superb start to the season continued with a 3-0 win over Glentoran which keeps them five points clear at the top of the Irish Premiership table.

Ian Parkhill pounced for an early goal and Darren McCauley headed a second before Jamie McGonigle netted a third near the end.

Second-placed Glenavon were 2-0 winners away to Carrick thanks to Andy Hall's opener and a Sammy Clingan penalty.

Champions Linfield saw off Ards 2-0 and Cliftonville beat Dungannon 4-0.

Ballymena United were held to a 3-3 draw by Warrenpoint Town.

High-flying Coleraine, who have dropped just two points this season, got an early boost when Parkhill pounced on hesitant Glens defending to score after just four minutes.

Glenavon extended their unbeaten run in the Premiership to seven matches

The Bannsiders went 2-0 up through McCauley's header which went in off the bar and, after seeing off a Glentoran revival, McGonigle drilled in the third from a tight angle.

"I am delighted with the clean sheet and there is a real buzz about the club after the great start to the season," said Coleraine manager Oran Kearney.

"We have picked up injuries but it shows the strength of our squad that people have come in and been given their chance and taken it."

Title holders Linfield, who had lost three in a row in the league, made a 35th-minute breakthrough when Jordan Stewart blasted into the roof of the net from six yards.

How they stand in the top half of the table

Josh Robinson headed in the second after the break for David Healy's men, who stay fourth in the table.

Cliftonville, two points behind the Blues, ran out easy winners at Dungannon with Rory Donnelly bagging a hat-trick.

Donnelly's third was a penalty and his replacement Joe Gormley also netted a spot-kick after another hand ball offence.

Dungannon got a late penalty but Paul McElroy's effort was saved by Brian Neeson.

Ballymena boss David Jeffrey was unhappy with his side's defending from set pieces in the 3-3 draw at home to Warrenpoint Town.

Cathair Friel gave Ballymena an early lead but Warrenpoint hit back with goals by Lorcan Forde and Conor McMenamin.

Conor McCloskey equalised but Forde's second goal on 82 minute saw Town regain the lead.

Matthew Shevlin salvaged a point for Jeffrey's side with an 89th-minute leveller.