Full Premiership split fixture schedule as Irish League teams battle it out at top and bottom
The full Premiership split fixture schedule has been confirmed after Saturday’s matches with everything still to play for at both ends of the top-flight table.
Leaders Larne were already guaranteed to be heading into the final five matches sitting top after Friday’s 3-0 victory over Glenavon, but the gap now sits at four points following Glentoran’s weekend draw against Coleraine.
Gary Haveron’s side are looking to turn that advantage into a third Gibson Cup crown across the past four seasons and seal a Champions League qualifying return this summer.
The Inver Reds will kick off their split schedule with a home clash against Cliftonville on Saturday while the standout fixture of the opening round sees ‘Big Two’ rivals Glentoran and Linfield face off at The Oval.
Defending champions Linfield’s title bid took an almost certain fatal blow on Friday evening as David Healy’s men lost out 2-0 to Carrick Rangers – a result which leaves them 11 points adrift of Larne.
In the other Section A fixture, Dungannon Swifts, who have successfully recorded a second consecutive top-half finish, will welcome Coleraine to Stangmore Park.
The battle to avoid automatic relegation remains fierce with Crusaders leapfrogging Glenavon following Saturday’s stalemate at Portadown.
Glenavon looked destined for the drop after losing their opening 11 league matches – the worst start to a top-flight campaign by any team in 60 years – but Michael O’Connor has transformed their fortunes.
A victory over the Crues earlier this month lifted them off the bottom on goal difference, but they’ve returned to the basement spot with only a point separating the pair.
Here’s a full rundown of all the Premiership split fixtures:
SECTION A
March 28: Larne v Cliftonville, Glentoran v Linfield, Dungannon Swifts v Coleraine.
April 7: Larne v Coleraine, Cliftonville v Glentoran, Dungannon Swifts v Linfield.
April 11: Linfield v Larne, Glentoran v Dungannon Swifts, Coleraine v Cliftonville.
April 17: Glentoran v Larne.
April 18: Linfield v Coleraine, Cliftonville v Dungannon Swifts.
April 25 (5:30pm kick-off): Larne v Dungannon Swifts, Coleraine v Glentoran, Linfield v Cliftonville.
SECTION B
March 28: Carrick Rangers v Crusaders, Ballymena United v Bangor.
April 4: Glenavon v Portadown.
April 7: Portadown v Carrick Rangers, Crusaders v Bangor, Ballymena United v Glenavon.
April 11: Carrick Rangers v Ballymena United, Bangor v Glenavon, Crusaders v Portadown.
April 18: Bangor v Carrick Rangers, Ballymena United v Portadown, Glenavon v Crusaders.
April 25 (3pm kick-off): Glenavon v Carrick Rangers, Bangor v Portadown, Crusaders v Ballymena United.
The Premiership’s promotion/relegation play-off will be played across two legs on Tuesday, April 28 and Friday, May 1.