The first Saturday of the new Sports Direct Premiership season produced two-goal victories for Linfield and Carrick Rangers while Coleraine grabbed a late equaliser away to Dungannon Swifts.

Linfield, runners-up last season, kicked off their attempt to go one better this time around with a win away to a new look Ballymena United.

Scoreless at the break, the Blues seized the advantage nine minutes into the second half when Chris McKee touched home a Kirk Millar free-kick from close range.

And they made sure of the points nine minutes of time courtesy of a Chris Shields spot-kick, awarded after Donal Rocks had upended Joel Cooper in the area.

Staying in the Mid and East Antrim area, Carrick Rangers hit two goals without reply past Glenavon at Taylors Avenue.

Curtis Allen edged Stuart King’s side in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock after getting In front of keeper Gareth Deane to nod home Joe Crowe’s corner.

Rangers then doubled their advantage later in the first half through Nedas Maciulaitis’ calm finish following a mix-up in the visiting defence.

Meanwhile, at Stangmore Park, Matthew Shevlin struck late in the game as Coleraine salvaged a point from Dungannon Swifts.

The Swifts had led from midway through the first half when Kealan Dillon found the net with a superbly executed curling 25-yard effort past Rory Brown but the Bannsiders hit back with less than ten minutes left to go when Shevlin registered with a fine individual effort.

The opening weekend continues on Sunday afternoon when Cliftonville welcome newly promoted Portadown to Solitude, kick-off 3pm.