Q Radio Sport
Round one of this season’s Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup kicked off on Tuesday night with seven of the 10 opening ties being played.
Paul Heatley’s late long-range strike was enough to send Crusaders through to the second round at the expense of Coleraine.
1-0 the final score at the Showgrounds.
Dean Shiels’ Dungannon Swifts saw off Glenavon with a 2-1 victory in Lurgan.
Matthew Snoddy was sent off for the home side in the 69th minute.
It was a winning start for the new backroom team at Stangmore Park:
Dungannon Swifts boss Dean Shiels has appointed Tony Gorman (assistant manager) and Dwayne Nelson (goalkeeping coach) to his backroom team. They will join first team coach Terry Fitzpatrick. #DanskeBankPrem pic.twitter.com/AVCg8RZFRP
— Q Radio News (@qnewsdesk) April 27, 2021
Last year’s beaten finalists Ballymena United eased to a 4-1 success over Portadown.
There was also a comfortable 5-1 win for Cliftonville against Portstewart.
Andy Waterworth and Shayne Lavery were on target as Linfield defeated Annagh United 2-0 at Windsor Park.
What a performance from the Championship side who stopped the Premiership leaders from scoring in the first half and could have nicked a goal themselves.
Crusaders' Paul Heatley celebrates after netting the only goal of the game at Coleraine
Warrenpoint Town banked a 2-1 victory over Ballyclare and Carrick Rangers put three past Belfast Celtic without reply.
The final three ties of the round will be played on Saturday (1 May) with Ballinamallard United welcoming Dergview, Kockbreda hosting Newington and Loughgall taking on Banbridge Town.
Sadler’s Peaky Blinder Irish Cup R1 results | 27 April
Ballymena United 4 (McElroy 5 & 57, Waide 42, McCartan 76p) v Portadown 1(Bonis 40)
Carrick Rangers 3 (Smith 3, Loughran 70p, Forsythe 86) v Belfast Celtic 0
Cliftonville 5 (Breen 3, O'Connor 8 & 70, Kearns 71, R. Curran 80) v Portstewart 1(Vauls 63)
Coleraine 0 v Crusaders 1 (Heatley 85)
Glenavon 1 (Purkis 10) v Dungannon Swifts 2 (Mayse 32, S. McGinty 67)
Linfield 2 (Waterworth 53, Lavery 85) v Annagh United 0
Warrenpoint Town 2 (McCaffrey 40, Swan 75) v Ballyclare Comrades 1 (Dobbin 55)
The Danske Bank Women's Premiership season kicks off on Wednesday night.
Champions Glentoran launch their defence of the title at home to Crusaders Strikers.
Linfield Ladies welcome Sion Swifts to Belfast and Cliftonville face Derry City at the Brandywell.