Glentoran, midweek winners of the Gold Cup, were restored to the leadership of the Irish League Premiership on Saturday after a 51 defeat of Newry Town at the Oval. They replaced Linfield, who had drawn 1-1 with Portadown at Shamrock Park on Friday night. Striker Rory Hamill hit a hat-trick in the demolition of Newry.

Belfast clubs lead the way into the Christmas programme with Crusaders back in third place. They swept aside bottom of the table Omagh Town at Seaview, a match in which former Bangor player-manager Stevie McBride had a considerable influence.