What we learned from the Irish League this week – comeback wins, hat-tricks, London buses and same old Cooper

Six games, 19 goals and plenty to talk about from the first round of fixtures in the Irish Premiership

After several months of anticipation the Irish League was back with a bang last weekend, although coming the final whistle after the first round of fixtures a few fans might have been calling for a restart.

With Larne and Linfield’s extended run in the Conference League there was a double helping of Irish Premiership fixtures on Saturday and Sunday.

We had goals, drama, supporters complaining about refereeing decisions once more, three away wins on Saturday and three homes wins on Sunday.

Here are the key points to takeaway from the first round of fixtures…

UNPREDICTABILITY

The Irish League has always had an element of unpredictability about it, and that was served up perfectly again at Seaview on Saturday.

Declan Caddell’s young Crusaders side looked to be heading towards a superb three points after they cut through the Carrick Rangers defence like the proverbial hot knife through butter racing into a three-goal lead inside 32 minutes.

But Stephen Baxter, on his first return to Seaview as a manager since leaving the Hatchetmen’s hot seat, inspired the visitors to an incredible comeback as a brace apiece from Jack Scott and Danny Gibson either side of the break secured them was was an unlikely victory a one point.

BALLYMENA ‘ROCKS’

The old saying about London buses was on everyone’s minds at Mourneview Park on Saturday.

With only three goals in his previous 87 appearances Donal Rocks probably wasn’t expected to be Ballymena United’s two-goal hero against Glenavon.

But the tough-tackling midfielder showed his quality with a brace against the Lurgan Blues, including a stunning long-range effort that had his manager stunned afterwards.

“When he hit the shot I was ready to scream at him, but then I started celebrating,” said Jim Ervin.

BACK WITH A BANG

Ahead of the new season Bangor boss Lee Feeney insisted his side weren’t going to throw away their chance in the Irish Premiership as they returned to the topflight for the first time since 2009.

Their home form is going to be crucial and if Sunday’s win over Cliftonville is anything to go by not too many sides will fancy a trip to the Seaside.

Just like they did in the Irish Cup last season Feeney’s men took the game to the Reds picking up a very valuable three points as they kicked off the new campaign in style.

LINFIELD ‘OFFORD’ AND RUNNING

While the likes of Coleraine, Glentoran and Larne have been mentioned as potential champions in some circles Linfield showed why they shouldn’t be written off.

The Blues swept aside Dungannon Swifts at Windsor Park with Kieran Offord bagging himself an opening day hat-trick.

His goals will be crucial for David Healy’s men this season if they are to mount a successful title defence.

SUPER COOPER

It was hardly a surprise to see Joel Cooper pop up with the winning goal for Coleraine on Sunday.

Last season’s Player of the Year was signed by the Bannsiders to be the difference maker and he proved his worth on his home debut against Larne.

Ruaidhri Higgins’ men looked like they may have to settle for a point in the opener until Cooper’s telling intervention with four minutes to go as he produced a typically clinical finish to secure all three points…the first of many no doubt!