Ballymena United made a thunderous start to their Northern Ireland Premiership campaign with a 3-0 demolition of Linfield at Windsor Park. Chris McKee’s brace and Success Edogun’s late strike secured a statement win, but manager Oran Kearney insists his side must stay grounded. League standing: 1st in Premiership, 3 pts, 1W-0D-0L from 1 games, recent form W.
What happened at Windsor Park?
Ballymena United wasted no time asserting their dominance. Chris McKee, a summer signing from Linfield, opened the scoring after just 10 minutes. His second-half screamer from 30 yards left Blues keeper Chris Johns helpless, sealing a 'Goal of the Season' contender. Success Edogun added gloss to the scoreline with a clinical finish from the edge of the box. Goals this season: 3 scored, 0 conceded (+3 goal difference).
Why this win matters for Ballymena United
Kearney’s summer overhaul-bringing in McKee, David Walsh, Scot Whiteside, Charlie Allen, and Josh Archer-paid immediate dividends. The manager hailed his squad’s work ethic and honesty, noting, 'Linfield are a very good side, but we have a real graft in the group.' The victory sets a marker in a league where consistency is key.
What’s next for Kearney’s side?
Despite the emphatic win, Kearney remains cautious. 'It’s the first game of the season-no pats on the back,' he said. The Sky Blues face a tough test next against Dungannon Swifts (away, 2026-12-19), currently 10th in the table. Kearney’s focus? 'We’ll not become carried away. We need to build on this.'
