Kearns scores on debut as Linfield beat Glenavon

Daniel Kearns scored a debut goal as Linfield edged past Glenavon in a nervy 1-0 win over Glenavon at Mourneview on the opening day of the Danske Bank Premiership.

David Healy's side offered little in the second half, but withstood waves of Glenavon pressure to hang on and claim the points.

Glenavon made the better start, too, and were awarded an early penalty when Chris Casement was judged to have blocked a Stephen Murray shot with his arm in the 5th minute, with the full-back getting booked in the process.

Andrew Mitchell stepped up confidently, but the striker spooned the ball clear of Roy Carroll's crossbar.

The home side kept up the pressure, and Linfield were perhaps lucky to keep 11 men on the pitch when Casement avoided a second booking after fouling Josh Daniels in the 12th minute.

Against the run of play, Linfield suddenly had the ball in the net - but Jimmy Callacher's powerful 26th minute header from Niall Quinn's free-kick was flagged offside.

David Healy's side only had to wait another 4 minutes to score a legitmate goal.

Kirk Millar lobbed a free-kick into the box and after a scramble, it dropped to Daniel Kearns to stab home a debut goal from 6 yards.

In the opening minute of the second half, Glenavon keeper Jonny Tuffey rushed out of his box to clear the ball but completely misjudged his header, leaving Andy Waterworth bearing down on an open goal.

However, the striker approached from wide on the right, and by the time he got a shot away Caolan Marron had got back to clear the ball off the line.

Gleavon then took control, and dominated for long spells of the second period.

It began with talisman Mark Sykes going close in the 62nd minute, surging into the box before chipping the ball just wide of Carroll's post.

The midfielder then forced the veteran into a flying save with a 70th minute drive from outside the box.

Replacement Jordan Jenkins also drew Carroll into a diving save just seconds after he joined the match for Glenavon in the 73rd, and even centre-back Andrew Doyle went close with a long-range drive from fully 35 yards.

Linfield keeper Roy Carroll made sure of the win with a stunning low save to deny Jordan Jenkins in the 93rd minute.