Ballymena United vs. Larne Match Postponed Due to Unplayable Pitch

Four Premiership fixtures were scheduled for Saturday afternoon. The Irish Premiership encounter between Ballymena United and Larne was called off following a Saturday morning pitch inspection at Ballymena Showgrounds, which found the playing surface to be unsuitable. Heavy overnight rain rendered the playing surface on Warden Street unplayable. An inspection of the pitch at Shamrock Park took place at 11:00 GMT, prior to the scheduled 15:00 mid Ulster derby between Portadown and Glenavon, and it was declared playable. Similarly, a pitch inspection at Taylors Avenue occurred at 10:30 GMT on Saturday morning in advance of Carrick Rangers’ match against Dungannon Swifts; this surface was also deemed playable, allowing that fixture to proceed. The remaining 15:00 fixture on Saturday features Cliftonville competing against Loughgall at Solitude. Weekend top-flight competition commenced on Friday evening with Glentoran’s 1-0 victory over Linfield at the Oval, while Coleraine is set to host Crusaders on Sunday at 12:30 GMT.