Irish Premiership - live text and audio coverage of Saturday's two games

Summary

Cliftonville 1-2 Crusaders (R)
Linfield 1-0 Ballymena United (R)

Live Reporting

Richard Petrie

Team newspublished at 14:38 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Cliftonville v Crusaders
Jaimie McGovern and Chris Ramsey come into the Cliftonville line-up at the expense of Garry Breen and Jamie Harney.
Crusaders manager Stephen Baxter brings in Colin Coates, Mark McChrystal, Michael Carvill and Jordan Forsythe, with Howard Beverland, Jamie Glackin, Rodney Brown and Gavin Whyte dropping out of the starting XI.
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Linfield give Ballymena 'the Blues'published at 14:32 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Linfield v Ballymena Utd
Ballymena won the first match between the clubs last season in impressive style, emerging 4-1 victors over the Blues in a third round League Cup fixture at the Showgrounds.
Linfield exacted revenge by winning their first league meeting of the season by the same scoreline at Warden Street.
A last-gasp winner gave David Healy's charges a 2-1 triumph at Windsor Park in December and a 2-0 win for the Blues followed at the same venue in January.
Linfield won 2-0 at the home of the Braidmen in April as they continued their charge to a first league title for five years.
History isn't on Ballymena's side as their last league win away to Linfield was way back in October 2004, Dominic Melly the match-winner on that occasion.
Sportsound and Final Scorepublished at 14:27 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Radio and TV football coverage
Michael McNamee presents coverage of Saturday's two Irish Premiership matches on Sportsound from 14:00 BST on BBC Radio Ulster.
Joel Taggart is on commentary for Cliftonville v Crusaders at Solitude, with analysis from former Reds boss Marty Quinn and current Coleraine manager Oran Kearney.
Michael Hammond is joined by Lee Doherty for the meeting of Linfield and Ballymena United at Windsor Park.
Final Score from Northern Ireland is on BBC Two NI this week from 17:00 BST.
Mark Sidebottom takes you through the action from Saturday's games, plus all the goals from the four fixtures played on Friday night.
Highlights: Glenavon 2-2 Glentoranpublished at 14:24 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Three late goals at Mourneview Park saw the Lurgan Blues and the Glens play out a 2-2 draw. Former Glenavon player Robbie McDaid made a major impact, scoring twice after being introduced as a substitute.
Media caption,
Irish Premiership: Glenavon snatch late draw against Glentoran
Smyth's final game?published at 14:20 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Linfield v Ballymena Utd
The news emanating from Windsor Park is that Linfield have agreed a fee with Championship side Queen's Park Rangers for the transfer of forward Paul Smyth.
Smyth's move to full-time professional football is expected to be confirmed on Monday.
The player will start today's game against Ballymena United for what looks like being his final appearance for the south Belfast outfit.
Image source, Press Eye
Image caption,
Linfield's Paul Smyth
Highlights: Coleraine 2-1 Warrenpoint Townpublished at 14:17 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Darren McCauley scores the winner as Coleraine go top by beating Warrenpoint.
Media caption,
Irish Premiership: Bannsiders go top with victory over Warrenpoint
Good afternoon and welcomepublished at 14:11 British Summer Time 26 August 2017
Two Premiership matches up for decision
Good afternoon and welcome to our coverage of Saturday's two Irish Premiership matches, with Cliftonville hosting Crusaders in the first north Belfast derby of the season at Solitude and champions Linfield at home to Ballymena United.
Coleraine moved to the top of the table by beating Warrenpoint Town on Friday night, but Linfield could reclaim top spot if they overcome the Sky Blues on their home patch this afternoon.
Ballymena have yet to taste victory this season but will be up against it as they prepare to take on David Healy's team, who have yet to concede a goal this campaign.
Crusaders aim to bounce back from last week's reverse at the hands of Coleraine, only their second defeat in 37 home games.
Cliftonville have one point to show from two away fixtures since trouncing Ards 6-3 at home on the opening day.