All five away sides won in the Irish Premiership on Saturday, leaving Coleraine only one point clear of four early challengers: Dungannon Swifts, Carrick Rangers, Crusaders and Linfield. Although the season is only four weeks old, the results have highlighted encouraging form and renewed ambitions among the quartet chasing the leaders.

Dungannon have recovered from an opening defeat to win three straight matches, with Sean McAllister scoring three goals and new additions strengthening their squad. Carrick’s experienced side, led by three-goal Paul Heatley, beat Bangor 4-0, while Crusaders secured a third consecutive win by defeating Glentoran 2-1 after rebuilding following a difficult 2025-26 campaign. Each of the four sides has nine points from four matches, compared with Coleraine’s ten.