Glentoran go top after impressive Larne show - as Glenavon edge out United

Glentoran went top of the Irish Premiership on Friday night with a 4-0 win over Larne.

Conor McMenamin netted twice as Mick McDermott's side moved two points clear.

Jay Donnelly also scored, with Danny Purkis scoring a tap-in.

Elsewhere Glenavon beat Ballymena United 3-2.

Matt Fitzpatrick, Danny Wallace and Jack Malone scored for the Lurgan Blues.

Jordan Gibson and Conor Keeley replied for the Showgrounds side.

On Saturday afternoon Linfield bounced back from last week's 4-2 loss to Larne, with a hard-earned 2-0 win at 10-man Newry City. Robbie McDaid and Joel Cooper netted.

Crusaders took second spot with a 2-0 win over Dungannon Swifts.

Dwayne Nelson saved two penalties for the Swifts, but they couldn't deny Stephen Baxter's men.

Philip Lowry netted before a Cahal McGinty own goal decided the match.

Cliftonville edged out Carrick Rangers 1-0, Ryan Curran's penalty keeping the Solitude men in fourth.

Portadown, under new manager Niall Currie, crashed 4-0 at Coleraine.

Patrick McNally headed past his own goalkeeper to put the Bannsiders ahead, before further goals from Lee Lynch, Matthew Shevlin, and James McLaughlin sealed the win.