Matthew Shevlin proved to be the hero for Coleraine as he scored a double to secure a 2-1 home victory over Ballymena United in the opening match of the new Irish Premiership season. The thrilling encounter saw Shevlin equalize just 11 minutes after Ballymena’s opener and then go on to score the winner in the second half, capping off a superb passing move.
The match got off to an intense start, with 13 yellow cards being shown in what was a full-blooded contest at the Coleraine Showgrounds. It was a significant moment for Ballymena United’s manager, Jim Ervin, who was taking charge of a Premiership team for the first time after previously captaining the Sky Blues.
Ballymena United struck first as forward Cathair Coates opened the scoring with a well-executed header from a Steven McCullough free-kick. However, Coleraine quickly responded, thanks to a quick-thinking corner from Jamie Glackin. Conor McKendry played a clever ball to Shevlin, who made no mistake with a powerful strike into the roof of the net.
The winning goal came in the 61st minute and was the result of a fantastic passing move from Coleraine. The team showcased their skills as they swiftly transitioned from defense to attack, moving the ball from left to right. McKendry then displayed his trickery on the right wing and delivered a low cross that Shevlin, last season’s top goalscorer, tapped home.
From that point on, Coleraine continued to dominate the game, with Glackin coming close to extending their lead with a curler from 20 yards that unfortunately struck the outside of the post. It was a well-deserved victory for Coleraine, who demonstrated their control and proficiency throughout the match.
In other Irish Premiership fixtures, Glenavon will play against Glentoran, while newly-promoted Loughgall will be traveling to face Newry City on Saturday. The season is now officially underway, promising more exciting matches and thrilling moments for football fans across Ireland.
