Local football returns as NIFL Premiership kicks off
After a long summer of waiting, local football returns tonight as Ballymena host Crusaders in this season's curtain-raiser at the Showgrounds.
It's a difficult opener for Stephen Baxter's men, who are out to reclaim the title, while David Jeffrey says United need to consolidate their position as a top-6 side.
5 games will follow on Saturday, with David Healy's Linfield beginning their title defence with what appears to be a comfortable tie.
The Blues host Carrick Rangers, who avoided relegation last season partially due to Portadown's point deduction.
New manager David McAlinden says it'll be tough to take any points from their trip to Windsor Park, but Healy is expecting a difficult afternoon.
"David McAlinden feels it's a game he can't get anything out of. But sometimes, that can make it a little bit harder for ourselves, as it's easier to express yourself when you're not expected to win. But I think that's a bit of kidology from David - Carrick are a good side and I certainly expect a tough test," said Healy.
Across town, Cliftonville will host Ards, as they begin life under new manager Barry Gray.
"The boys are buzzing for it - or appear to be anyway! But we're home, we're at Solitude. Regardless of opposition, we have to start the season as we mean to go on," he said.
For Glentoran, a pre-season defeat to East Belfast FC saw them criticised on social media by their own fanbase.
However, manager Gary Haveron is optimistic about the campaign ahead, and says he's not worried about what happened over summer.
"There's a real falseness about pre-season and about how people play. Then you get into the nitty-gritty and you see what it's really about. You probably won't really know where everyone is until maybe four, five or even six games into the season," said Haveron.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Coleraine head to Dungannon Swifts, and Warrenpoint Town mark their return to the top flight by hosting Glenavon.