COLERAINE made the perfect start to the new campaign with a 3-1 victory against Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park…

In a repeat of last season's Irish Cup final, it was Dungannon who threatened first when Kealan Dillon's effort from just outside the box failed to land below the crossbar.

Coleraine had large spells of possession early doors but the Swifts were creating the chances and they went close on 17 minutes when Shea Gordon slipped the ball back into the path of Paul Doyle but he arrowed wide when under pressure.

A lovely piece of vision saw Ruaidhri Higgins' men go close as Dylan Boyle's ball over the top was on the money for Senan Devine. The teenager took a great first touch with his second seeing a shot being denied by an onrushing Declan Dunne.

Just before the half hour mark, the Bannsiders worked the ball well on the right-hand side with the ball being worked out to Joel Cooper. The attacker tried to blast the ball into the net via an acute angle but he was thwarted by the legs of Dunne.

On 34 minutes, the Swifts had their celebrations cut short when Danny Wallace powered in from Kris Lowe's cross. Thankfully for Coleraine, the linesman raised his flag for offside to deny the defender from making the breakthrough.

Coleraine started to put their foot on the gas towards the end of the first half and carved out two further opportunities when Will Patching's free-kick was palmed away by Dunne, before Cooper's shot on the turn was comfortably held by the Swifts stopper.

However, the pressure finally paid off as Coleraine struck in first half stoppage-time. After losing the services of Cameron Stewart due to an injury, his replacement was Jay Henderson and he wasted no time in making his mark. The midfielder struck a lovely first time effort into the bottom corner after initial good work by Cooper and Shevlin in the build-up.

Both teams then traded chances upon the restart as Boyle's effort just didn't curl into the far corner, whilst at the other end, Kealan Dillon drilled over after being picked out in a promising position by Doyle.

On 55 minutes, Coleraine doubled their lead and in fine style as another summer signing found the back of the net. A quick corner-kick routine by Patching and Ben Doherty resulted in the latter picking out the far corner with a strike from the edge of the area.

As the Swifts pushed forward to get back into the contest, Coleraine were threatening on the counter as Cooper was sent through on goal but he was denied by a last-ditch tackle by Barney McKeown, before the same player was thwarted by the boot of Dunne after being played through by Boyle.

Doherty was beginning to be in the heart of the action as he was the next player to have a shot in anger but his attempt failed to land below the crossbar after great set-up play by Cooper and Patching.

But the Swifts pulled a goal back on 69 minutes as McAllister picked up the ball 25 yards from goal and his instinctive strike from 25 yards left Webb with no chance. A few minutes later, Coleraine blew a sight of relief when Jamie Glackin headed wide from a cross on the right-hand side.

However, Coleraine regained their two-goal buffer on 78 minutes as another fine team move paid off. A penetrative pass by Rowan McDonald picked out substitute Lewis McGregor inside the box and he flashed the ball across for Shevlin to convert.

Dungannon looked to respond quickly and went close on two occasions through Gael Bigirimana and Glackin, with the first effort going over the bar and the second being blocked by debutant Rob Slevin.

A winning start to the season for Coleraine who take on Larne next weekend at The Showgrounds.

DUNGANNON SWIFTS: Dunne, McKeown, Dillon (McBrien '61 mins), Alves (Glackin '55 mins), Glenny, Lowe (Maguire '80 mins), Gordon (Smith '55 mins), Doyle, Wallace, Bigirimana (Mitchell '80 mins), McAllister.

Subs Not Used: Henderson (GK), Scott.

COLERAINE: Webb, Kane, Boyle, Stewart (Henderson '45 mins), Patching (Jarvis '85 mins), Shevlin, Cooper, Slevin, Devine (McGregor '71 mins), McDonald (Ives '85 mins), Doherty.

Subs Not Used: Robinson (GK), Murray, McMenamin.

Referee: Ben McMaster