Chris Johns does well to gather an Adam Glenny cross at full stretch to thwart another dangerous Dungannon attack.

If he hadn't have got that right, Andrew Mitchell could have had a tap in.

That was much closer from Cliftonville!

Odhran Casey's header from Rory Hale's corner crashes the crossbar.

It did look like Gareth Deane had it covered if it had curled down, but that was a really good chance.

They haven't been seen much as an attacking force but Larne are defending strongly as a unit in the opening stages.

Sean McAllister tries his luck from distance but Chris Johns is alert and saves routinely.

The Blues have settled now but Rodney McAree's side do look threatening almost every time they attack.

The hosts with a couple of corners in quick succession.

Cliftonville have the first chance of the game, but it's well off target.

Rory Hale's cross finds Conor Barr at the back post, who heads wide.

Lewis McGregor whips in a dangerous cross from the right wing but Larne keeper Rohan Ferguson is out quickly to gather at the feet of Matthew Shevlin.

A Dungannon corner is met on the head by Caolan Marron, whose effort flashes just wide of the back post.

It's the visitors who have started the brighter for sure.

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer

First five minutes has gone as we expected, Cliftonville have had the majority of possession and Bangor are happy to let them. They will probably sit deep and try hit them on the break.

Not too much action in the opening five minutes at Clandeboye Park with both sides' defences able to deal with any threat caused in the final third.

Only a couple of minutes gone but already home fans are seeing glimpses of what summer signing Joel Cooper can bring to the party with a couple of driving runs at the heart of the Larne defence.

Early penalty appeals as Thomas Maguire goes down inside the area claiming he had been bundled to the floor by Chris Shields.

Referee Tony Clarke says no penalty and play continues.

Bright start from the visitors.

First sign of attacking intent inside the opening minute but Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin is crowded out near the byeline and the chance is gone.

Larne's Christopher Gallagher gets us under way on an overcast but warm afternoon on the north coast.

Paul Leeman
Former Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer

I think it is a massive test for Bangor, they have been loyal to many of the players who got them up and they had a good cup run last year but they have to do it week in week out now.

Champions Linfield get proceedings under way at Windsor Park and will attack the Kop end in the first half.

Here we go!

Will it be a dream start to Bangor's return to the top flight or will the Reds begin their season with a victory?

Image source, Inpho

2024-25 league position: 2nd

Manager: Nathan Rooney

Opening fixtures: Coleraine (A) - 10 August; Crusaders (H) - 15 August; Cliftonville (A) - 19 August (live on BBC iPlayer); Portadown (H) - 22 August; Ballymena United (H) - 29 August

Having relinquished the league title to Linfield, this could be a season of transition for Larne after much change behind the scenes with owner Kenny Bruce, chief executive Niall Curneen and general manager Shay Kennedy all leaving the club.

But with Nathan Rooney re-installed as manager after enrolling on his Uefa Pro Licence course, there is stability in the dugout and it has yielded positive European results over the summer.

After seeing off Auda and Prishtina, Larne face Santa Clara in the third round of Uefa Conference League qualifying before starting their Premiership campaign away to Coleraine.

Larne's 2024-25 campaign was disrupted by European commitments, which stretched their squad and left a fixture backlog. If they fail to reach the Conference League this time, they can focus their energy on winning back the title.

But even if they embark on another European adventure, the majority of the squad will know what to expect.

2025-26 signings so far: Matt Ridley (Blyth Spartans), Dan Bent (Lincoln Red Imps), Kobei Moore (unattached), Alfie Bridgman (unattached)

2025-26 departures so far: Ali Omar, Joe Besant, Olatunde Bayode and Harrison Panayiotou (all unattached), Sean Brown (Linfield), Shaun Want (Ayr United), Caolan Donnelly (Ards), Ambrose Ajala (Queen's University - loan)

BBC iPlayer

You can now watch Bangor v Cliftonville on the BBC iPlayer or by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

Thomas Kane is joined on commentary by former Glentoran and Crusaders defender Paul Leeman.

Bannsiders' boss Ruadhri Higgins hands debuts to no less than five players as a new chapter opens at the Showgrounds.

Teenage goalkeeper Aidan Harris, signed just this week, starts in goals following a long term injury to number Ryan Schofield.

Joel Cooper, Kodi Lyons-Foster, Will Patching and Lewis McGregor are the other new faces on show.

Larne manager Nathan Rooney makes two changes to the team which started Thursday night's Europa Conference League defeat Santa Clara.

Aaron Donnelly and Conor McKendry miss out through suspension following incidents at the end of last season's game against Glentoran and are replaced by Benji Magee and Matthew Ridley.

The visitors are also without Paul O'Neill through suspension and long-term injury absentees Cian Bolger and Andy Ryan.

Coleraine: Harris, Kane (c), Boyle, Lyons-Foster, Patching, Shevlin, Cooper, Ives, Glackin, Dunne.

Subs: Evans, Jarvis, Long, Doherty, McGonigle, Stewart, McManus.

Larne: Ferguson, Ridley, Gallagher, Randall, O'Connor, S. Graham, Magee, Nolan, Cosgrove (c), Sloan, Bent.

Subs: D. Graham, Kee, Moore, Lusty, Devlin, Wallace, Simpson.

Image source, BBC Sport