Colin Coates
Former Crusaders captain on BBC Sport NI

Carrick have looked dangerous while Coleraine have been flat.

Things have settled down somewhat following the opener.

Rodney McAree’s men are dictating the tempo and looking very comfortable in possession, while the Seasiders sit deep, staying compact to deny space through the middle.

One notable aspect of the opening 15 minutes is just how high Coleraine goalkeeper Lewis Webb is when his team has possession.

He is acting virtually as a sweeper, allowing his defenders to push higher up the field from where they can launch attacks.

Sean McAllister is causing real problems here.

The winger races forward once more and catches a left-footed half-volley on the bounce, but sends his effort just wide of the near post.

The former Everton man certainly looks in the mood.

A first sight of goal for Carrick Rangers as Jordan Forsythe gets his head to a Billy Joe Burns long throw.

Coleraine keeper Lewis Webb, who produced a number of fine saves in last week's draw against Larne, reacts brilliantly to punch the ball away to safety from underneath his crossbar.

Almost the opener for the hosts, as Sean McAllister is afforded room to turn 25 yards out.

The winger curls a venomous effort towards the top corner that looks destined for the back of the net, but it flashes inches wide.

Danger here for the home side as Steven McCullough floats one down the left wing and finds Tiarnan Mulvenna.

The cut-back falls towards Lewis Harrison, but Barney McKeown makes a vital interception to avert the danger.

That is the first opening of the afternoon as the home side wins possession high up the pitch.

Junior Uzokwe finds time and space outside the area to unleash an effort from distance, but it flies narrowly wide of the target.

Colin Coates
Former Crusaders captain on BBC Sport NI

You expect a player of his calibre to score from that position. It's a great delivery from Cooper and Shevlin is unmarked.

A big chance goes begging for the visitors.

Joel Cooper picks out Matthew Shevlin with a beautiful ball from the right wing, but the normally reliable frontman misses the target from six yards.

A big let off for the hosts.

A wasted opportunity from the resulting set-piece as Steven McCullough fails to beat the first man with his delivery, allowing Rodney McAree’s men to clear the danger with ease.

Early intent from the visitors as Bangor break swiftly down the right flank.

The cross is whipped towards the danger area, but the Dungannon defence reacts quickly to turn it behind for a corner.

A win for either side today would put them top of the fledgling Irish Premiership table so plenty of incentive for both.

Tiarnan Mulvenna gets the ball rolling for the visitors at Stangmore Park.

Joel Cooper gets us under way on an overcast but warm afternoon in Carrickfergus.

Two of the league's unbeaten teams meet at Taylors Avenue.

Carrick Rangers, who have won both their opening two games, make two changes to the team which started last weekend's 2-1 win at Limavady United.

And they're pretty significant changes, too, as leading scorer Paul Heatley and Adam Lecky both miss out through injury, their places taken by Billy Joe Burns and Joe Crowe.

Visitors Coleraine also show two alterations from last Saturday's scoreless draw against Larne as Aidan Wilson and Jay Henderson replace the injured Rowan McDonald and Levi Ives, who is named among the replacements.

Carrick Rangers: Gartside, Place, Burns, Forsythe, Callacher, Gibson, McCullough (c), Steele, Buchanan-Rolleston, Crowe, Snoddy.

Subs: Agnew, O'Connor, Clucas, Maciulaitis, Moore, Cherry, Hastings.

Coleraine: Webb, Kane, Boyle, Patching, Shevlin, Cooper (c), Wilson, Henderson, Slevin, Wylie, Doherty.

Subs: Robinson, Jarvis, McGregor, Ives, Devine, McMenamin, Devlin.

Referee: Michael McKenna.

Image source, BBC Sport

Rodney McAree makes three alterations to the side that secured a 1-0 victory over Portadown at Shamrock Park.

John Scott, Leo Alves and Junior Uzokwe come into the starting XI, with Andy Mitchell and Shea Gordon dropping to the bench while Adam Glenny misses out this afternoon.

Lee Feeney also reshuffles his line-up following the Seasiders' 3-0 defeat at home to Cliftonville.

Ben Arthurs and Ben Cushnie make way for Tiarnan Mulvenna and Jay Boyd as the visitors look to respond this afternoon.

Dungannon Swifts: Dunne, Scott, McKeown, Alves, Lowe, Glackin, Doyle, Wallace, Bigiramana, Uzokwe, McAllister.

Subs: Henderson, McGinty, Kelly, Smith, Andy Mitchell, Dillon, Gordon.

Bangor: Deane, Neale, Francis, Lynch, Harrison, Hassin, Mulvenna, McCullough, Boyd, Borja, Hughes.

Subs: McMahon, Arthurs, Alfie Mitchell, Devlin, McRoberts, Strachan, McGuinness.

Image source, BBC Sport

BBC Sport NI pundit Philip Lowry reacts to Aaron McEneff's Panenka penalty which opened the scoring for Glentoran against Ballymena United on Friday night.

Glentoran beat rivals Linfield 2-1 to progress to the semi-finals of the Women's Irish Cup.

Naomi McLaughlin opened the scoring in the 36th minute before Cora Chambers levelled for the Blues at the Blanchflower Stadium.

But McLaughlin struck her second of game with eight minutes remaining to send Kim Turner's side into the final four.

Holders Cliftonville also progressed to the last four with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Derry City.

After an early own goal opened the scoring for Cliftonville, the Reds progressed thanks to goals from Teegan Lynch and Louise McDaniel either side of the interval.

Crusaders Strikers battled past Sion Swifts, who have sealed the Championship title, 2-1 at Seaview.

Ali Nelson put the Premiership side ahead and Rebecca Bassett doubled their advantage.

Substitute Caoimhe Heron pulled a goal back for the Swifts but Crusaders held on to win.

Lisburn are the other semi-finalist after they defeated Ballymena United 1-0.

Image source, Glentoran FC