Northern Ireland round-up: Portadown show their class

Irish League leaders Omagh Town FC suffered their first defeat of the season today as champions Portadown FC won 3-1 at Shamrock Park.

Late winner
Portadown were trailing to Colm McCullagh's goal with 15 minutes left to play, but fought back through Dean Fitzgerald and Paul McAreavey to end Omagh's unbeaten start to the season.

Revival under way
Glentoran FC started their revival with a 2-1 win at Ards FC following a 12-point deduction for fielding ineligible midfield player Andrew Kilmartin left the Belfast side bottom of the table. Michael Halliday and Andy Smith secured the three points for Glentoran after Peter Lowry opened the scoring for Ards.

Linfield on the rise
Another team on the up are Linfield FC after they beat Coleraine FC 2-0 thanks to goals from Glenn Ferguson, a penalty, and Hugh Dickson's first goal for the club. Ciftonville FC registered their first league victory since the opening day of the season with a convincing 2-0 home win which denied second-placed Institute FC the chance to go top of the table. Gavin Johnston and Ronan Scannell were the scorers.

Kirk's farewell victory
Crusaders FC enjoyed a good start away to Lisburn Distillery FC but the home side ensured that manager Paul Kirk's last match in charge ended in a 2-1 victory. Gavin Arthur gave the away side a third-minute lead but goals from Mark Holland and Chris Deegan earned Distillery the three points. In yesterday's game, Newry Town FC battled back for a 2-2 home draw with Glenavon FC, Barry Meehan and George O'Boyle each scoring twice.