If anyone thought Bangor’s return to the Premiership would be a gentle paddle in the shallow end, last weekend proved they’ve cannonballed straight into the deep. A 3–1 victory over Cliftonville, it was more than just three points - It was Bangor’s first home Premiership victory since 2009, and statistically the shock of the season so far.

Fun Fact: Bangor FC’s return to the top flight was so long-awaited, someone swears they saw Noah and the ark in the queue at Clandeboye Park.

Elsewhere in the Premiership: Carrick were on the right side of a 4–3 thriller at Crusaders, Ballymena kept Glenavon blue and scoreless (2–0), Glentoran snuck past Portadown 1–0, Coleraine nicked it at the death against Larne (1–0), and Linfield swiftly saw off Dungannon 3–0.

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15.08.2025 - Source BBC Sport

📊 STATS CORNER

It would be remiss not to mention Kieran Offords’ hat-trick straight off the bat, the 21 year old bagged all 3 goals in the second half of Linfield’s 3-0 win over Dungannon Swifts last weekend.
At just 21 (yes, really), Offord bagged 12 league goals last season—only five shy of ex-teammate and seasoned sharpshooter Joel Cooper, who’s got eight more years under his belt. Sorry, Joel. With three already in the bag, is this the year Offord truly explodes onto the scene? Could he be sitting top of the charts by May 2026?
Jordan Jenkins (Glentoran) also netted 12 goals last season, spearheading a team that scored the most away goals (33) in the league.
And let’s not forget Larnes’ Andy Ryan, who also hit 12 last season, bringing his overall Appearance > Goal ratio to 55%. (basically 1 goal, every 2 games, guaranteed, for the experienced finisher.)

💸 BETTING TIPS

Last week, we got off the mark very well, with our first ever opening TIP LANDING! at 11/10. We had Glentoran to beat Portadown away from home.

Up Next - Gameweek Two 16th August 2025

We’ll include some non-NIFL tips too, focusing on players who’ve made the jump from the Irish League to clubs across the water.

Stake	Tip & Odds	Return
2.5 points (ie. £20)	Cliftonville vs Coleraine BTTS @ 4/5	£36
2.5 Points (ie £20)	Dungannon vs Portadown BTTS @ 4/5	£36

Double Potential - (5/2) £20 stake, returns £70

The logic: Coleraine, well… as covered: 22 of their games last season saw both teams score, which is basically a subscription to chaos. Gameweek one they faced Larne which was a tight cagey affair, this week Cliftonville who love to attack, and will have the home ground on their back following defeat away to Bangor - will surely net?

Swifts v Portadown - a Mid Ulster Derby, fireworks guaranteed, and an opportunity for both teams to really go for it.

But hey… what do we know. Maybe there wont be a single shot on target, let alone goals galore, and we’ll have egg on our face! 🍳

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📅 UPCOMING FIXTURES

Saturday 3pm Kick-offs:

Carrick vs Glenavon (Rangers craving more goals)
Cliftonville vs Coleraine (League Challengers Clash)
Dungannon Swifts vs Portadown (a Mid Ulster Derby)
Glentoran vs Bangor (The new boys visit east Belfast)

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🧃 SOME OTHER STUFF

Let’s put the Spotlight on Irish League Creators and fanatics.

This section of our newsletter is all about celebrating the incredible channels, brands, podcasts, people and partners across Northern Ireland who are shining a light on the Irish League, local football, and grassroots sport. From creative storytelling to behind-the-scenes action, these are the folks keeping the passion for football alive!

Up first: THE DUGOUT. One local visionary is on a mission to capture the drama, triumphs, and stories of Northern Ireland’s lower leagues. Through expertly crafted videos, he follows clubs on their journeys through each season—bringing fans closer to the heart of the game. With content on TikTok that has racked up over a million views, it’s easy to see why THE DUGOUT is a must-watch.