The Monday Debrief: Our weekly look back at the latest round of fixtures in the Irish League

Linfield 3 Institute 1

OVERVIEW: After enduring an early and unexpected scare (Institute were 9/1 to beat the Blues), the reigning champions got their title defence up and running with a 3-1 win at Windsor Park.

TALKING POINT: There’s only one place to start.. Jordan Stewart’s stunning long distance strike. An early contender for goal of the season? As cliched as it sounds, we think so.

How far out was he when he went for goal? Well, Royal Mail have reliably informed us the Linfield winger was in a different postcode to Stute keeper Martin Gallagher.

LINFIELD PLUSES: Didn’t panic after going 1-0 down to an early Joe McCready penalty. Job done ahead of Tuesday night’s crucial Europa League date with FK Sutjeska.

INSTITUTE PLUSES: Despite being managerless following John Quigg’s resignation a week ago, the visitors showed character against the league champions.

Coleraine 1 Cliftonville 1

OVERVIEW: Honours even after an emotional day for Cliftonville in the wake of the sudden death of the club’s legendary former title-winning boss Tommy Breslin just four days before.

TALKING POINT: It had to be Joe Gormley who salvaged a point for the Reds. The striker is one of only three surviving players from the Reds side that lifted the title under Breslin in 2013 and 2014.

COLERAINE PLUSES: Oran Kearney’s return as manager sparked a vibrant display from the Bannmen who were unfortunate not to hang on for all three points. Kudos to Eoin Bradley for an innovative finish.

CLIFTONVILLE PLUSES: Resilience and Gormley – he and Linfield’s Andy Waterworth finished joint top scorer in all competitions last season – who looks poised to carry on where he left off in April.

Larne 6 Warrenpoint Town 0

OVERVIEW: An early statement of intent from the ambitious Inver men who hit Town for six thanks to goals from Marty Donnelly (2), Davy McDaid (2), Jeff Hughes and Mark Randall.

TALKING POINT: Marty Donnelly’s tribute to former boss Tommy Breslin (raising his back armband to the sky) was a nice touch, while Mark Randall’s long distance strike had home fans purring.

The former Arsenal midfielder’s rather bizarre (yes let’s go with ‘rather bizarre’ – ED) goal celebration GIF on Larne’s Twitter account wasn’t bad either.  Check it out…

LARNE PLUSES: Where to begin? Tougher tests lie ahead, but Tiernan Lynch’s men looked a force to be reckoned with in the club’s first game back in the top flight in 11 years.

WARRENPOINT PLUSES: Only one, really.. it’s another six months before the Miltown men have to go back to Inver Park.

Crusaders 3 Carrick Rangers 0

OVERVIEW: A comfortable day at the office for Crusaders who might have scored more had it not been for a string of impressive saves from Carrick keeper Aaron Hogg.

Jordan Owens, Ross Clarke and Paul Heatley – who wowed fans with a trademark tumble celebration after lobbing Hogg – were all on target for Stephen Baxter’s men.

TALKING POINT: Who scored the Crues’ opening goal? Philip Lowry initially claimed he got a touch to Owens’ goal bound header but then pointed in the striker’s direction.

“It’s mine!” chuckled Lowry as he walked past confused journalists afterwards.

“It was definitely Jordan’s goal,” countered Crues media officer Michael Long.

CRUSADERS PLUSES: With Chris Hegarty and new signing Jamie McGonigle to return from suspension, Stephen Baxter has real strength and depth at his disposal.

CARRICK PLUSES: Visitors created a number of chances and striker Stewart Nixon was left ruing two golden opportunities which were scrambled off the line.

Glenavon 1 Glentoran 1

OVERVIEW: This was a cracking point for Glenavon in the circumstances, given they played a total of 58 minutes (including added time) with 10 men following Rhys Marshall’s 38th minute red card.

TALKING POINT: Check out Marshall’s clattering tackle on Joe Crowe if you want to find out how NOT to challenge for the ball when you’re already on a yellow.

How reckless? Well, a herd of wild buffalo stampeding through a nearby store of 19th century antiques and collectibles paused to ask: “What was he thinking?”

GLENAVON PLUSES: Gutsy performance and a cool goal celebration from midfield maestro Sammy Clingan in front of a healthy 2,206 attendance in Lurgan.

GLENTORAN PLUSES: Darren Murray’s early opener means the striker has now scored 13 goals in 18 games in all competitions since joining the club in January.

DUNGANNON SWIFTS 2 BALLYMENA UNITED 2

OVERVIEW: Ballymena led 1-0 and 2-1 through Cathair Friel and new signing Ross Lavery, but twice the Swifts pegged them back with goals from Ryan Waide and Seanan Clucas.

TALKING POINT: Ballymena scorer Lavery disputed the awarding of Dungannon’s late penalty for a shove inside the area, but referee Keith Kennedy had no hesitation pointing to the spot.

DUNGANNON PLUSES: Kris Lindsay was without the likes of Dougie Wilson, Paul McElroy, Daniel Hughes and Callum Byers, but his stretched squad dug out a valuable point.

BALLYMENA PLUSES: Goalkeeper Ross Glendinning who made a couple of crucial saves for David Jeffrey’s men as Dungannon bossed the second period at Stangmore Park.

AND FINALLY.. A STAT TO BAMBOOZLE YOUR MATES WITH