Dankse Bank Premiership Round 16th April

Champions Crusaders were presented with the Gibson Cup trophy following their 1-0 win over Coleraine at Seaview on Saturday afternoon.

The Crues had secured their second successive league last Tuesday evening following a 3-1 victory over North Belfast rivals Cliftonville at Solitude which gave them an unassailable lead over second place Linfield. 

Saturday’s victory came courtesy of a first half Jordan Owens goal, his twentieth of the season, however the game was merely a side show to the celebrations which were to follow at the North Belfast venue. This was the first time in the clubs history they had won back to back titles and was their sixth league crown in total.

Linfield were already assured of second place before their 4-0 home win over Cliftonville. The Blues who will contest the Irish Cup final against Glenavon in a fortnights time, won courtesy of a brace from Aaron Burns and further goals from Paul Smyth and former Sligo Rovers defender Ross Gaynor.

Glenavon secured third place and Europa League qualification ahead of the Cup final following a 1-0 away win over Glentoran at The Oval. Kevin Braniff scored the second half winner for Gary Hamilton’s men who will play European football for a third consecutive season.

With still one game left, Cliftonville, Coleraine and Glentoran will contest the Europa League Play Offs in May where they could be joined by Ballymena United if they manage to finish seventh.

All eyes will be on the relegation battle next weekend with just three points separating the bottom four teams. Three of the four teams won at the weekend to set up a nail biting set of games next week.

Carrick Rangers remain bottom on 32 points despite a 3-1 win away to Dungannon Swifts. Cormac Burke had given the Swifts an early lead but Carrick hit back through goals from Adam Salley, Aaron Harmon and Miguel Chines.

Ballinamallard United also remain eleventh on 33 points and in the Relegation Play Off spot despite their last gasp victory away to Ballymena United. Ballymena took the lead in the second half through Tony Kane but The Mallards hit back through goals from former Derry City players Emmet Friars and Stephen O’Flynn. O’Flynn’s goal was a coolly dispatch 90^th minute penalty.

Warrenpoint Town are in 10^th place on 34 points following their 2-0 win over Portadown at Milltown. The result leaves The Ports just a point above ‘Point’ in 9^th place on 35 points. Warrenpoints goals came from Conor McDonald and Stephen Murray.