Loughgall Dominates Season Opener with 3-0 Victory and Stellar Performances

Loughgall manager Dean Smith expressed his satisfaction after his team's impressive opening match of the Irish Premiership season, where they secured a convincing 3-0 victory. The triumph was marked by two early headers from Jordan Gibson, who showcased his striking prowess, and a late goal from Benji Magee, a name synonymous with Loughgall's recent success. In a match where Loughgall established dominance from the outset, Smith reflected on the team’s performance with pride. "I'm delighted, it was a very good team performance today and I thought we deserved the win," he told BBC Sport NI. The clean sheet coupled with three goals underscored a comprehensive display that Loughgall fans were eager to witness. Gibson was particularly impressive, netting two goals before halftime. Smith noted that there had been moments of constructive criticism directed at Gibson regarding his goal-scoring ability, especially given his role in the midfield. "We have a go at him at times about not scoring enough, especially in midfield and he plays as a 10 sometimes for us, but today he has come up with two special goals for us," Smith remarked, highlighting Gibson’s crucial contribution to the match. While the performance was largely positive, there were concerns surrounding Benji Magee, last season's Young Player of the Year. After finishing the previous season with 16 league goals, Magee had faced challenges with injuries that affected his readiness for the opening match. Smith addressed these concerns, acknowledging Magee's ongoing recovery. "Benji Magee has had a really poor time in terms of injury and niggles," he explained. "We knew he wasn't maybe ready for 90 minutes, but you can see what he brings to us when he comes onto the pitch." Magee's eventual inclusion as a substitute illustrated his importance to the squad, and his ability to impact games even when not fully fit remains a testament to his skill and determination. As Loughgall looks forward to building on this promising start, Dean Smith's confidence in his squad is palpable, setting an optimistic tone for the season ahead. With a solid performance under their belts, Loughgall is poised to make a mark in the Irish Premiership, and fans will be eager to see how the team develops as the season progresses.