Wins for Linfield, Coleraine, Crusaders, Dungannon and Glenavon on Boxing Day

Paul Heatley celebrates being on the scoresheet on Boxing Day against derby rivals Cliftonville
Author: Chris BrennanPublished 26th Dec 2022
Last updated 27th Dec 2022

It was a comfortable win for Crusaders in the north Belfast derby on Boxing Day as Stephen Baxter's side beat Cliftonville 3-0.

Luke Turner's own goal got the Solitude men off to the worst possible start, with Paul Heatley making it 2-0 by the break. Crusaders sealed the points thanks to a second half effort from Jordan Owens.

Linfield left it late, but Eetu Vertainen's late effort clinched a 2-1 win at Glentoran.

Chris Shields had put the Blues ahead at the interval, before Jay Donnelly equalised after the re-start.

Coleraine saw off Ballymena United 2-0. The Bannsiders are up to fifth, with Matthew Shevlin laying claim to a double in this one.

Glenavon took all three points with a 2-1 success over Portadown. Matthew Fitzpatrick scored both goals for the Lurgan Blues.

Portadown's goal in between came from Barney McKeown on 68 minutes.

And Dungannon Swifts kept up their recent good home form with a third win in a row at Stangmore Park.

Newry City were downed 2-0 with goals from Ethan McGee and James Knowles.

In the evening kick-off, leaders Larne were held 0-0 by Carrick Rangers.