The 2021/22 Danske Bank Premiership campaign kicked off in earnest with the first Saturday of the new season producing victories for Cliftonville, Glentoran, Linfield and Warrenpoint Town.
Additionally, on Friday night, Larne defeated Coleraine in a six-goal thriller at Inver Park while two late goals saw the Mid Ulster derby at Shamrock Park end with a flourish.
A Christy Manzinga double saw holders Linfield defeat Crusaders by two goals at Windsor Park. The French striker opened the scoring just after the half-hour mark before doubling up early in the second half.
Glentoran got the better of Dungannon Swifts at the end of a five-goal thriller at Stangmore Park. Robbie McDaid handed the Glens the early advantage but Cahal McGinty levelled for Dean Shiels' side midway through the first half.
The visitors regained the lead through Conor McMenamin early in the second half, and looked to be home and dry late on when Ruaidhrí Donnelly came off the bench to add a third. However, Ben Gallagher struck just before the game slipped into stoppage time to set up a nervy finish.
At Solitude Cliftonville came from behind to get past Carrick Rangers. Lloyd Anderson opened the scoring for Stuart King's charges after 12 minutes but it proved to be a short lived edge after Jamie Harney equalised just a few minutes later - and he struck again just after the half-hour mark with what proved to be the winner.
Meanwhile, at Milltown, Warrenpoint Town went behind after just two minutes to Ballymena United. Paul McElroy fired United into the lead as early as the second minute but goals either side of the break tipped the balance in favour of 'Point.
What appeared to be an own goal from United keeper Jordan Williamson levelled matters on 42 minutes, with Kealan Dillon converting from the spot less than a minute into the second half - in an incident which also saw Ballymena's Douglas Wilson dismissed - being enough to earn the points for Barry Gray's men.
