Irish League Football

Image source, Inpho

Crusaders match-winner Kieran Offord says his debut "couldn't have gone any better" after he scored the only goal of the game in his side's 1-0 win over Glentoran.

The St Mirren loanee opened his account for his new club after 21 minutes, capitalising on a Glens defensive mix-up.

"The ball is probably in the goalkeeper’s favour and I’ve just made a loose ball into an alright ball," Offord told BBC Sport NI.

"I’ve scored prettier goals but I’ll take that one every day of the week.

"It couldn’t have gone any better to be honest. The boys dug in the whole game, worked their socks off and we end up getting three points out of it."

His partnership with Harry Franklin grew praise from his manager and the 20-year-old from Scotland admitted he is enjoying playing with his new team-mate.

"We’ve only known each other a week and I feel we’ve got an understanding of each other. I’m just excited for the season," Offord said of Franklin.

"Hopefully we’ll build a partnership and keep our places this season and score as many goals as possible."

Image source, Press Eye

Glentoran manager Declan Devine was left disappointed with his side's opening day defeat to Crusaders, admitting his side failed to recover after conceding a "shambles" of a goal.

A defensive mix-up allowed Kieran Offord to score a debut goal for the Crues midway through the first half, which was enough to seal a 1-0 victory.

"The goal just sums up the performance really," Devine told BBC Sport NI.

"It was a bit of a shambles in terms of the goal we gave away and I don’t think we really recovered from that.

"We had three strikers and two wingers and we didn’t test their goalkeeper enough and that is obviously a disappointing factor."

Devine took over on an interim basis as Glentoran manager in March following the departure of Warren Feeney and assumed the permanent role in April.

"We didn’t get going, we weren’t good enough with the ball and the goal we gave away, we let it affect us for a period of the game," Devine added.

"We’ve said this all along – there are going to be ups and downs. Tonight has been a down but it’s the first game of the season. We’ll take our lessons, we’ll come away and reassess it and we’ll go from there."

Image source, Inpho

Crusaders manager Declan Caddell says he is "delighted" with his side's opening day victory over Glentoran.

Summer recruit Keiran Offord scored the only goal of the game midway through the first half as the Crues sealed a 1-0 win at the Oval on Friday.

"That performance was based on hard work, good attitude, a willingness to get a job done and win," Caddell told BBC Sport NI after the match.

"That togetherness, that hard work and they showed that in abundance tonight and for me it was probably well deserved."

The 36-year-old, who replaced Stephen Baxter as manager of the Shore Road club this summer, was impressed with the speed to which his summer signings have settled in.

"Our club is based on that work-rate and it’s amazing to see the new players who have come in, buying into that so quickly," Caddell said

"I thought the two boys up front - Harry Franklin and Kieran Offord - gave an exhibition of working together as a two.

"When you think about the first goal and the bit of luck, it actually comes from those two grafting and working hard. I’m delighted. The boys are delighted in the changing room but it’s just game-day one."

Image source, Getty Images

Midfielder Charlie Allen has returned to Linfield following a four-year stint at Leeds United.

Allen, 20, held the record of being Linfield's youngest ever senior player during his first spell at the club.

He played for the Leeds Under-18 and Under-21 teams during his time at the Elland Road club and also earned eight Northern Ireland Under-21 caps.

Allen's stint at Leeds also included a loan spell at National League club York City.

After being released by Leeds at the end of last season, Allen was linked with Gillingham and a club in Sweden before opting to rejoin the Blues.

“It’s great to have Charlie back at the club, a player I know very well and just how much talent he has," said Linfield manager David Healy.

"He has been training with us for a number of weeks and has bedded well into the squad and we look forward to working with him to further his development this season.”

Linfield face Ballymena United away in their opening game of the new Irish Premiership season on Saturday.

Image source, BBC Sport

• If the Glens win on Friday night it will be the first time they will have recorded three successive league victories over the Crues since April 2008.

• Crusaders have only failed to score in one of their last 10 opening day league fixtures. That was a 2-0 defeat to Linfield in the 2021/22 season.

• Victory for the east Belfast side will be their 50th league home win over the Crues since 1949.

• Crusaders’ last top-flight victory at the Oval over the Glens was a 4-0 win in April 2022.

• The Crues have won their opening League game of a new season in seven of the last eight campaigns.

Image source, Press Eye

Leeper's 'Ones to Watch' for Glens and Crues

It's an intriguing game. I think it's a cracking game for the league to start off with.

Two of the top teams and two managers who are looking to put their own stamp on their respective sides.

With Declan Devine coming in, he's made a lot of changes at Glentoran, new players coming in, so he'll be hoping his team can hit the ground running.

Equally, Declan Caddell of Crusaders, he's a young manager in his first job, taking over from the legend that is Stephen Baxter and looking to put his style on the game.

Image source, Inpho

The key player for Glentoran, you're probably looking at David Fisher to get goals for them. It could be a big season for him.

For Crusaders, you're looking at the likes of Kieran Offord and Jordan Stewart to be match winners for them but overall a very intriguing game and I'm really looking forward to it.

Join Thomas Kane with Paul Leeman on co-commentary for Glentoran versus Crusaders live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website from 19:30 BST.

Image source, Inpho

Irish Premiership Predictions with David Jeffrey

Ahead of the opening fixtures in the Irish Premiership, former Linfield and Ballymena United manager David Jeffrey gives us his predictions for an exciting weekend of football.

On the first day of the season, players, managers and supporters crave an opening day win.

However if victory is not forthcoming, avoiding defeat is the next priority and so a draw is acceptable and welcome to get off the mark in terms of points.

Glentoran v Crusaders - Friday 19:45 BST (live on BBC iPlayer)

A 2-1 win for either side could be predicted.

Two new managers, two new regimes, but for me I’m going to sit on the fence and go for a share of the spoils.

Prediction: 2-2 (Result: 0-1)

Ballymena United v Linfield – Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

I’m again going for honours even and a point apiece.

However, given their eye-catching recruitment, I wouldn’t be surprised if the points stayed in Ballymena.

Prediction: 2-2 (Result: 0-2)

Carrick Rangers v Glenavon – Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

Stuart King has strengthened what is already a strong squad and I expect their home form to be better this season than last.

Prediction: 3-1 (Result: 2-0)

Dungannon Swifts v Coleraine – Saturday 15:00 BST (live on Sportsound on Radio Ulster/BBC Sounds)

This is the first test of Coleraine’s new full-time regime but remember what Dungannon achieved in their first fixture last year - a 4-4 draw with Larne. Another draw on this occasion wouldn’t be a surprise.

However, I believe Dean Shiels will leave his old stomping ground with the points.

Prediction: 1-2 (Result: 1-1)

Cliftonville v Portadown – Sunday 15:00 BST (live on BBC iPlayer)

A bold prediction from me for the Sunday game at Solitude as I’m going for a share of the spoils.

My opinion is similar to that of Ballymena United, regarding Portadown’s impressive recruitment, while the Reds have lost a few key players up front.

Prediction: 2-2

Join David on Saturday with Michael McNamee on Sportsound live from the Ballymena Showgrounds from 14:00 BST on Radio Ulster, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website.

Image source, Inpho

Larne's bid for Uefa Conference League qualification begins on Thursday night as they travel to Kosovo to face FC Ballkani in a third qualifying round first leg.

The Irish Premiership champions received a bye to the third round after their first-round exit from Champions League qualifying last month, where they fell to a disappointing 7-0 aggregate defeat by RFS.

Tiernan Lynch's side will be eager to bounce back from a poor showing against the Latvian champions and exact revenge on the Kosovo outfit after last year's 7-1 aggregate defeat in the Conference League second qualifying round.

The first leg will be played at the home of the Kosovo Superleague champions, Stadiumi Fadil Vokrri in Pristina before the second leg at Inver Park on 15 August.

Larne's defence of the Gibson Cup was set to commence on 10 August against Loughgall but the fixture has since been postponed to accommodate the club's European commitments, with a new rearranged date yet to be confirmed.

There will be live text commentary of Thursday's first leg on the BBC Sport website and app from 18:45 BST.

Image source, BBC Sport

Ballymena United

Ballymena United preserved their Premiership status by the skin of their teeth when they scored twice in the closing 15 minutes of the second leg of their relegation/promotion play-off to beat Championship side Institute 2-1 on aggregate.

Obviously determined to avoid another battle to beat the drop, the Sky Blues have recruited impressively in terms of experience, quality and quantity during the summer.

Eye-catching additions to the squad include ex-Crusaders attacking midfielder Ben Kennedy, former Larne and Glentoran player John Herron and a quartet of arrivals from derby rivals Coleraine in the form of Aaron Jarvis, Jack O'Mahony, Stephen O'Donnell and Josh Carson.

Transfers In: Aaron Jarvis, Ben Kennedy, Caolan Loughran, Daniel Lafferty, Jack O'Mahony, Joe Moore, John Herron, Josh Carson, Stephen O'Donnell.

Transfers Out: Dylan Boyle, Fraser Taylor [end of loan], Scot Whiteside, Evan Tweed, Steven McCullough, Daithi McCallion [end of loan].

Joel Taggart's Take: A disastrous start and a lack of goals meant a close call for United last season. They lost 10 of their opening 12 league games and managed just one home win in the league before Christmas.

An inability to score was the obvious Achilles heel but the arrival of Ben Kennedy should help. He scored almost half as many league goals last season as the whole Ballymena United squad combined.

Opening fixtures: 10/8 - Linfield (h); 16/8 - Coleraine (a) - live on BBC Sport NI; 21/8 - Crusaders (h); 24/8 - Dungannon Swifts (a)

Image source, BBC Sport

Carrick Rangers

Carrick Rangers will be keen to build on their best ever finish in the top flight last term as they finished 'top of the bottom six' come the end of the campaign.

The backing of American business executive Michael Smith, who acquired a majority shareholding in the club, has come as a boost to the east Antrim club's ambitions.

Manager Stuart King was quick to add experience to his ranks in the close season in the form of two former Glentoran players - experienced ex-Northern Ireland international defender Luke McCullough and midfielder Seanan Clucas, who also counts Linfield, Derry City and Dungannon Swifts among his former clubs. Ex-Crusaders winger Paul Heatley followed at the start of August.

Last season: 7th

Manager: Stuart King

Transfers In: Luke McCullough, Seanan Clucas, Paul Heatley

Transfers Out: Lewis MacKinnon.

Joel Taggart's take: Stuart King has strengthened after securing not only Carrick's best ever top flight finish last season but also their highest ever top flight points total and their highest top flight goals tally.

They’ll feel a top six finish is a realistic target despite the fact that the same six clubs have occupied those places for the last five seasons in a row but tempting Paul Heatley out of retirement might just make the difference.

Opening fixtures: 10/8 - Glenavon (h); 17/8 - Loughgall (a); 23/8 - Glentoran (h) - Live on BBC Sport NI; 27/8 - Larne (h)

Image source, BBC Sport

Cliftonville

Cliftonville ultimately fell short in their bid to sustain a challenge for the league title last term but a third place finish was a creditable outcome in Jim Magilton's first season in charge at Solitude.

The north Belfast outfit will hope a first Irish Cup success since 1979 can inspire them to even greater things in 2024-25.

The loss of forward trio Ben Wilson, Ronan Hale and Sam Ashford is a major blow to the Reds' prospects but the expectation would be that Magilton will further bolster his attacking options.

Transfers In: Luke Conlan, Michael Newberry, Rory Donnelly, Sean Stewart, Shaun Leppard.

Transfers Out: Ben Wilson, Chris Curran [retired], Eric Yoro [end of loan], Gerard Storey, Jamie McDonagh, Jamie Robinson, Micheal Morgan, Nathan Gartside, Ronan Hale, Sam Ashford, Seanan Foster, Stephen Mallon.

Joel Taggart's Take: The departed forward trio of Hale, Ashford and Wilson accounted for nearly half of Cliftonville's 80 league goals last season.

How do they fill that void?

Ryan Curran’s return from injury is a boost - he's scored nearly 50 league goals in his last three full seasons.

Jim Magilton's side struggled defensively after losing Luke Turner last January. They conceded twice as many league goals from January to April as they did from August to December so Magilton will hope new recruit Shaun Leppard will help address that issue.

Opening fixtures: 11/8 - Portadown (h) - live on BBC Sport NI; 17/8 - Glenavon (a); 20/8 - Dungannon Swifts (h); 24/8 - Crusaders (a)

Image source, BBC Sport

Coleraine

It's been a summer of massive change at Coleraine as the Ballycastle Road club adopt a full-time model for the first time.

Rearrangement on the management side has seen long-time boss Oran Kearney move 'upstairs' to take on the role of Sporting Director and former Dungannon Swifts manager Dean Shiels assume the position of head coach.

Developments off the pitch have led to a major overhaul of the playing squad with the departure of swathes of previously key personnel and the arrival of several new faces as the club bid to improve on their sixth place finish last time out.

Transfers In: Cameron Stewart, Dylan Boyle, Kirk McLaughlin, Kyle McClelland [loan], Max Little, Rhyss Campbell, Ciaron Harkin [on loan until Christmas], Kyle Spence, Mackenzie Carse.

Transfers Out: Adam Mullan, Aaron Jarvis, Conor McKendry, Darren Cole, David McDaid, Eamon Fyfe, Jack O'Mahony, Jake Wallace, Josh Carson, Kieran Farren, Luca Doherty [loan], Lee Harkin, Lee Lynch, Lewis Tosh [loan], Martin Gallagher, Rodney Brown, Stephen Lowry, Stephen O'Donnell.

Joel Taggart's Take: This will be fascinating to watch with lots of new faces and a new full time model.

Vast experience has been allowed to leave the club with the departing Lowry, O’Donnell and Carson alone having played over 700 league games for the Bannsiders.

Matthew Shevlin and Jamie McGonigle on top form will trouble any defence in the league but the problem for Coleraine post Christmas last season was very few others were weighing in with goals.

Opening fixtures: 10/8 - Dungannon Swifts (a); 16/8 - Ballymena Utd (h) - live on BBC Sport NI; 20/8 - Glentoran (a); 24/8 - Glenavon (h)

Image source, BBC Sport

Crusaders

For the first time since 2005, Crusaders begin the Northern Ireland domestic season without their former manager Stephen Baxter at the helm.

Long-serving midfielder and more latterly coach Declan Caddell takes over the reins as the Crues aim to sustain a challenge in the upper echelons of the Premiership table.

The departure of Paul Heatley and Ben Kennedy will leave major gaps to fill for the north Belfast side who count former Linfield forward Jordan Stewart among their close season acquisitions.

Transfers In: Billy Vance, Jacob Blaney, Jordan Stewart, Kieran Offord [loan], Harry Franklin.

Transfers Out: Brandon Doyle, Corrie Burns, Joshua Robinson, Kevin Joshua, Paul Heatley, Ben Kennedy

Joel Taggart's take: I’m not sure where Crusaders will get their goals from this season.

Paul Heatley and Ben Kennedy are no longer at Seaview while Adam Lecky has a long term injury. Between them they scored half of their league goals last season.

Billy Joe Burns is also injured but the return of Jimmy Callacher will feel like a new signing as life after Baxter begins at Seaview.

Opening fixtures: 9/8 - Glentoran (a) - live on BBC Sport NI; 18/8 - Larne (h) - live on BBC Sport NI ; 21/8 - Ballymena United (a); 24/8 - Cliftonville (h)