Portadown and Limavady United are still waiting for their first points of the 2026-27 Northern Ireland Premiership season. Both clubs entered the campaign with optimism but have struggled to find form in the opening weeks.
Portadown finished ninth in the final 2025 table with 36 points from 33 games, a record of 11 wins, 3 draws, and 19 losses. Their recent form at the end of that campaign was WWLDD. The club has scored 36 goals and conceded 57 across the season so far, leaving them with a -21 goal difference and 37 points behind leaders Larne.
What has gone wrong for Portadown?
David Jeffrey's arrival at Shamrock Park was expected to signal a new era for the Ports. The Irish League veteran made seven new signings and plenty of changes during the off-season. He hoped for a smoother start, but the team has suffered four consecutive defeats. Portadown have conceded the second-highest number of goals in the division and have struggled for consistency at both ends of the pitch.
A flurry of changes to the starting XI preceded their trip to Solitude to face Cliftonville. Only one new signing, Ben Kennedy, started that match. Regular starting goalkeeper Aaron McCarey was absent, forcing a tactical shift from a back three to a back four. Eamon Fyfe scored a consolation goal when Portadown were 3-0 down at the hour mark, but they ultimately lost 3-1 in north Belfast. You can view the full squad details on our squad page.
Can Limavady United find a cutting edge?
Limavady United's return to the top flight ended an 18-year wait for Premiership action. Managed by 43-year-old Paul Owens, the Roesiders have shown moments of positivity in their opening defeats. However, they have scored just once this season, a poor goalscoring tally that highlights their main issue.
The club has invested in youth, with five of their forwards under the age of 23. They added experience by bringing in Jamie McGonigle from Coleraine. McGonigle went straight into the starting side and immediately added more threat in the final third. Despite this, Limavady lost 2-0 to Dungannon Swifts on Saturday. Their next test is a trip to face Crusaders at Seaview.
What does recent history tell us?
Slow starts do not necessarily spell doom. Dungannon Swifts lost their opening five games of the previous season but rallied for an impressive run, finishing sixth. The opposite example is more cautionary. Glenavon failed to register a point in their opening 11 matches last term. That poor start led to a switch in management and a mass change of players in the January window. Glenavon were eventually relegated for the first time in 21 seasons and now compete in the Championship. Newry City was the last side relegated during their first season back in the Premiership in 2018-19.
David Jeffrey acknowledged the difficult opening. "We have had a really, really challenging start to the season," the Portadown manager said. He added a defiant note about his character: "I've never lay down in my life, and I'm not going to start now." The team's immediate focus is a daunting fixture against defending champions Larne. Check the latest standings to see how the table is shaping up.
Both Portadown and Limavady United aim to end their wait for a first victory soon. Portadown's next home game is against Crusaders FC on December 5, 2026. Crusaders currently sit 11th in the table.
