The eagerly anticipated 2024/25 Playr-Fit Championship campaign roared into life with victories for Annagh United, Ards, Dundela and Ballinamallard United.

The Mallards are the very, very early pacesetters following a four-goal defeat of Ballyclare Comrades at Ferney Park.

All the goals came after the break with Alex Holder opening the scoring just before the hour with a tidy finish past keeper Gerard Walker.

Darragh Byrne doubled up later in the half, Callum Moorehead added a third with just over five minutes remaining with Daniel Barker wrapping the scoring up right at the end.

Both Ards and Annagh picked up impressive 3-0 wins on the road.

Ards travelled to face newly promoted Limavady United at The Showgrounds, and moved in front late in the first half when Zach Barr touched home the rebound after Eamon Scannell’s 35-yard lob came back off the crossbar.

Aidan Steele extended Ards’ lead ten minutes into the second half before Ross Hunter worked his way into the area to knock home number three with less than a quarter-of-an-hour remaining.

At Inver Park, two first half goals from Ryan Swan and Lee Upton handed Annagh United a comfortable lead at Newington’s expense at the break.

Nathan Kerr then hit a third from the spot on 57 minutes, awarded after Jack Evans had been brought down in the area.

And an early goal proved enough for Dundela to narrowly defeat Newry City at Wilgar Park.

What turned out to be the match winner arrived after just ten minutes when Aaron Prendergast – on loan from Glenavon – volleyed home from the edge of the box.

Meanwhile Armagh City and Institute shared the goals and points in an exciting encounter at Holm Park.

‘Stute seized the advantage early on through Shane Boyle’s near post finish but Scott McCann levelled for the Eagles around the half-hour mark from a neat turn to fire past Fintan Doherty.

City then grabbed the lead themselves on 67 minutes after Conor Mullen scored from the spot, but it turned out to be a short lived lead when Mikhail Kennedy hit the equaliser a few minutes later with a fantastic free-kick into the top corner.