Highlights: Offord hat-trick gets Linfield up and running

BBC News

5 days ago

Update:
Date: 16:59 BST
Title: Final whistle
Content: That is all from us on a dream day for Bangor, who mark their return to the Irish Premiership with a 3-1 win against Cliftonville.
Champions Linfield started their campaign with a 3-0 win against Dungannon Swifts.
Joel Cooper scored the winner on his debut as Coleraine beat Larne.
Read the report from those games here.
We will be back next week with some more Irish Premiership action.
See you then, but for now, goodnight.
Update:
Date: 16:57 BST
Title: Watch: Morgan adds a third for Bangor
Content: FT: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
Substitute Michael Morgan adds a third goal for Bangor.
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Watch: Michael Morgan scores for Bangor to make it 3-1
Update:
Date: 16:54 BST
Title: FULL-TIME
Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne
It's all over at the Coleraine Showgrounds where the Ruadhri Higgins regime is up and running with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Larne.
He made a habit of doing it with Linfield and now Joel Cooper's doing it at Coleraine - scoring what proved to be the winning goal four minutes from the end.
The Bannsiders had other chances on a day when Larne looked dangerous on the counter attack but it's the hosts who claim the points.
Update:
Date: 16:53 BST
Title: Post
Content: FT: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
Paul LeemanFormer Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer
On today's showing, Bangor are going to be a match for anyone at this stadium.
Update:
Date: 16:53 BST
Title: FULL-TIME
Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts
Linfield kickstart their 2025/26 Irish Premiership season with a 3-0 victory over Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park.
A Kieran Offord second half hat-trick is the difference as the Blues begin their Gibson Cup defence in style.
Update:
Date: 16:52 BST
Title: Watch: Cooper curls home
Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne
Who else but last year's Player of the Season Joel Cooper to open his account for Coleraine and break the deadlock.
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Watch: Joel Cooper scores his first goal for Coleraine at The Showgrounds
Update:
Date: 16:51 BST
Title: FULL-TIME
Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
A dream start to Bangor's first season in the top flight in 16 years as they defeat Cliftonville 3-1.
Update:
Date: 16:51 BST
Title: Post
Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
Cliftonville are pushing forward, but time is running out.
I am sure the Bangor fans are counting down the seconds until the referee blows his whistle.
Update:
Date: 16:50 BST
Title: YELLOW CARD
Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne
A first Coleraine booking as Dylan Boyle takes one for the team, breaking up a Larne attack in added time.
Update:
Date: 16:48 BST
Title: Post
Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne
Four added minutes to be played at the Showgrounds.
Update:
Date: 16:48 BST
Title: INJURY TIME
Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts
The fourth official has indicated minimum of four additional minutes.
Update:
Date: 16:46 BST
Title: SUBSTITUTION
Content: Coleraine 1-0 Larne
Matthew Shevlin departs to rapturous applause from the home fans and is replaced by defender Dean Jarvis for the final few minutes.
Update:
Date: 16:46 BST
Title: SUBSTITUTIONS
Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
There will be five minutes of additional time and as we enter it, Bangor make a triple change with Matthew Ferguson, Tom Mathieson and Robbie Garrett introduced.
Lewis Harrison, Ben Arthurs and Jack O'Mahony make way.
Update:
Date: 16:45 BST
Title: Post
Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts
Nice move from the visitors as Bobby-Jack McAleese gets down the right and crosses, with Cahal McGinty rising highest in the box to meet it with his head.
Again, Chris Johns makes a routine stop.
The Swifts have responded well since conceding the third goal, but the points are surely wrapped up for Linfield.
Update:
Date: 16:44 BST
Title: Post
Content: Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
Paul LeemanFormer Glentoran captain on BBC iPlayer
Another fantastic goal from Bangor, a great delivery and he just glances it in.
Update:
Date: 16:43 BST
Title: GOAL - Coleraine 1-0 Larne
Content: Joel Cooper (86 mins)
Joel Cooper breaks the deadlock with his first goal for the Bannsiders in the 86th minute.
Sub Declan McManus plays in the former Linfield man who keeps his nerve to shoot low through Rohan Ferguson's legs for his first goal for his new club.
Update:
Date: 16:42 BST
Title: GOAL- Bangor 3-1 Cliftonville
Content: Michael Morgan (87 mins)
Michael Morgan rises highest to nod home Liam Burns free-kick to extend Bangor's lead.
What an opening game of the season for Lee Feeney's side!
Update:
Date: 16:41 BST
Title: Post
Content: Bangor 2-1 Cliftonville
We're into the final five minutes of the 90.
Will we see another goal?
Give this post a thumbs up if you think so or react the other way if you think Ben Arthurs strike will be the winner.
Update:
Date: 16:40 BST
Title: DOUBLE SUBSTITUTION
Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts
Rhys Annett and Ryan McKay come on in place of Charlie Allen and Matthew Fitzpatrick for Linfield's final two changes of the afternoon.
Update:
Date: 16:40 BST
Title: Post
Content: Linfield 3-0 Dungannon Swifts
Kealan Dillon strikes from distance but Chris Johns gathers routinely.