That is all from us as both Linfield and Carrick Rangers picked up opening day victories.

The Blues saw off Ballymena 2-0 at the Showgrounds with Carrick easing past Glenavon by the same scoreline.

Dungannon Swifts and Coleraine played out a 1-1 draw at Stangmore Park.

You can read the report from those three games here.

We will be back tomorrow with the final game of the weekend as Cliftonville host Portadown at Solitude.

We will see you then but for now, goodnight.

Philip Major
Sportsound summariser

My slight concern for Portadown is they have so many new faces, it might take time to gel and looking at goals I'm wary about it, where are their leaders?

If Cliftonville get Ryan Curran back fit and firing he is like a new signing and they still have Joe Gormley and I'm sure Jim will want to bring in a top-class signing.

It will be a tough game for Portadown.

David Jeffrey
Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Radio Ulster

It is going to be a challenge. What Jim Magilton did last year was fantastic, more than respectable third and winning the Irish Cup. Since then, seven have departed, a massive amount of ability and goals have lost. Cliftonville will hope Jim can use his contacts to strengthen their forward line.

Portadown have brought in Shay McCartan and when you have someone like that in your team who can produce a piece of magic, I wouldn't be surprised if there would be a draw or Portadown can sneak a win.

Linfield begin their Irish Premiership season with a 2-0 victory against Ballymena United at the Showgrounds.

After an even first half, Chris McKee flicked home the opener for the Blues, with Chris Shields adding a second from the penalty spot.

Carrick Rangers start the Irish Premiership season with a comfortable 2-0 win against Glenavon the Loughview Leisure Arena.

Curtis Allen opened the scoring with a close-range header before Nedas Maciulaitis added a second for Stuart King's side.

Watch highlights as Matthew Shevlin scores a late equaliser against Dungannon Swifts to salvage a point for Coleraine at Stangmore Park.

Kealan Dillon had opened the scoring for the hosts in the first half with a superb long-range effort.

Shevlin then scored a fine individual goal nine minutes from time to equalise for the Bannsiders.

Darren Murphy
Sportsound summariser

It's interesting because Carrick's players must have gelled really well at Taylors Avenue because they have won the game really comfortably and they have brought in some experienced players.

It'll be interesting to see how Portadown get on tomorrow because Niall Currie has had a great overhaul and they obviously go to Solitude.

There will be parts of today that Jim Ervin will be really happy with. He will be happy with the first-half performance and he will be happy with how they defended, but he may not be happy with what they offered in the final third of the pitch.

David Jeffrey
Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Radio Ulster

Second half Linfield just upped it a little bit more. If I'm being honest the last 15 minutes Ballymena started to get leggy, that was because Linfield were keeping the ball extraordinarily well.

Darren [Murphy] called it 100% right about the impact of Joel Cooper. He was involved in getting the set-plays on both occasions, his quickness is absolutely electric.

Chris Shields steps up and sends Sean O'Neill the wrong way to double Linfield's lead.

Matthew Shevlin opens his account for the season with a neat finish at Stangmore Park.

Darren Murphy
Sportsound summariser

The [first] goal changed the game completely, there was so much belief with Linfield after the goal went in.

Linfield start their request to regain the Gibson Cup with a hard-fought but deserved win at the Showgrounds, thanks to second half goals from Chris McKee and a Chris Shields penalty.

Ballymena contributed a lot to the game but lacked a bit of cutting edge in the final third.

Linfield make another late change as Cammy Ballantyne replaces Kyle McClean.

All over at Stangmore Park where it's honours even following a 1-1 draw.

Dungannon Swifts went in front thanks to a spectacular strike from Kealan Dillon midway through the first half and maintained their advantage until nine minutes from the end.

Matthew Shevlin, well marshalled for much of the game, showed his class by capitalising on a defensive mistake and rifling the ball high into the roof of the net past Declan Dunne.

Plenty of effort on show from both sets of players but plenty to work on too.

Darren Murphy
Sportsound summariser

David Healy will be delighted with how they have responded because Ballymena did start the second half really well, but Linfield kept going and started to dominate the middle of the park.

Kyle McClean and Chris Shields became more influential and when they were getting on the ball they were able to get Millar and Joel Cooper on the ball.

Again Millar and Cooper have been Linfield's shining lights today. Anything good that has come from Linfield today has come from those two.

Linfield withdraw the excellent Joel Cooper and bring on Darragh McBrien in his place.

We're deep into stoppage time at the Showgrounds.

Ballymena's Aaron Jarvis is booked for a tired-looking challenge on Joel Cooper.

It's the perfect start for Stuart King's Carrick outfit with a well-deserved victory over a disappointing Glenavon.

First half strikes by Curtis Allen and Nedas Maciulaitis did the damage and wins the three points for the amber and blacks.

Glenavon should have one back but after a lengthy game of pinball Carrick hang on.

After an initial ricocheted effort came off the post, Peter Campbell fired in another effort from 10 yards, but in the melee Kurtis Forsythe throws himself in front of the ball and it remains 2-0... somehow.

At least four additional minutes to be played.