Portadown are back in Sports Direct Premiership action at Shamrock Park for the first time in 2026 this evening when Carrick Rangers are the visitors, kick off 5:30pm.
Portadown come into the game off the back of a 1-0 defeat to Bangor at Clandeboye Park, with last weeks postponements due to the weather it will be a full two weeks since that defeat and the Ports last competitive match, meaning the Ports have just had two games so far in 2026. Carrick Rangers have had a great few weeks, firstly lifting their first senior trophy in 33 years with a penalty shoot out victory over Cliftonville at Seaview to win the County Antrim Shield and then followed that up with a thumping 5-1 win over Dungannon Swifts in the Premiership last Saturday.
Portadown and Carrick Rangers have met twice so far this season with both meetings coming at Taylors Avenue, Stephen Baxter’s side winning 1-0 back in October thanks to a goal from Portadown native, Luke McCullough with Portadown picking up the three points with a 2-1 win in November thanks to goals from Ben Wylie and Eamon Fyfe.
Carrick Rangers had went 11 league matches without a win before their 4-1 victory against Cliftonville at Solitude on 17 January, a win that has appeared to turn their season as they arrive at Shamrock with 3 wins in a row including that penalty shoot out win over Cliftonville and with back to back Premiership wins under their belt for the first time since August.
Carrick Rangers will be missing Ethan Boyle (knee) Nedas Maciulaitis (knee), Cameron Stewart, Seanan Clucas (knee) and Nathan Gartside (quadricep).
On the game Portadown manager, Niall Currie commented
We welcome a Carrick Rangers team full of confidence and plenty of quality.
Like I’ve said many times, these are 50/50 games so it’s huge that we understand we are at home and make sure we are on the front foot without falling into their traps.
We focus on our own performance, as always.
Referee | TBC
Tickets | PFC TICKETS – Portadown Football Club
Man of the Match Sponsor | The Donaldson Family
Last Five | Head to Head
22 November 2025 | Carrick Rangers 1 (Scott (pen)) Portadown 2 (Wylie, Fyfe)
11 October 2025 | Carrick Rangers 1 (McCullough) Portadown 0
5 April 2025 | Carrick Rangers 4 (Crowe, Gibson 2, Watson) Portadown 1 (Ukek)
8 March 2025 | Portadown 1 (Ukek) Carrick Rangers 0
9 November 2024 | Portadown 1 (McCartan) Carrick Rangers 1 (McCartan og)
Last Five Head to Head at Shamrock Park
8 March 2025 | Portadown 1 (Ukek) Carrick Rangers 0
9 November 2024 | Portadown 1 (McCartan) Carrick Rangers 1 (McCartan og)
15 April 2023 | Portadown 3 (Friel 2, Archer) Carrick Rangers 1 (Tilney)
4 March 2023 | Portadown 1 (Russell) Carrick Rangers 3 (McGuckin, Maciulaitis 2)
30 April 2022 | Portadown 0 Carrick Rangers 5 (Carson x2, Cushley, Gibson, Glendinning)