It was a good start to 2023 for Ballymacash Rangers, Bangor, Dollingstown and Limavady United as the Lough 41 Premier Intermediate League returned after the festive break.

Leaders Ballymacash remain a point clear after a 2-1 victory over Tobermore United at the Bluebell Stadium.

Scoreless at the break, ‘Cash moved in front through skipper Jordan Morrison just after the hour before Tiarnan Rafferty levelled for the visitors around ten minutes later. However, Morrison struck again for the home side to secure the points.

Bangor stay a point adrift but boosted their goal difference with a 5-0 defeat of Lisburn Distillery at Ballyskeagh.

The Seasiders led through Reece Neale’s 14th minute opener but the real damage was done after the break when Ben Arthurs and Ryan Arthur found the net either side of the hour, with Dylan O’Kane and Adam Neale adding to the tally later in the game.

Two early goals saw Dollingstown claim the points from Portstewart’s visit to Planter’s Park. Cameron Purdy opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute before Daniel Gordon doubled up after a quarter-of-an-hour.

Dean Brown bagged a double at the Showgrounds as Limavady United defeat the PSNI.

He opened the scoring early on, but Louis Blackstock levelled for the visitors moments from the break. Brown struck again in the second half before Ryan Doherty made sure later in the game.

Meanwhile, Armagh City came from two goals down to share the spoils with Moyola Park at Holm Park.

Stephen Sullivan edged Moyola in front in the latter stages of the first half, before Ian Parkhill doubled their advantage around the hour mark.

But goals from new signings Ethan Jordan and James Convie saw the Eagles recover to earn a much needed point.