The Swifts kicked off their 2025/26 campaign in the Kit Room Cup. The cup has been rescheduled to the start of the season rather than the end as in previous years.
Ballynahinch started strongly and looked dangerous on the attack but failed to get any real shots away.
Celtic scored first after intercepting a mishit goal kick, but United fought back and equalised through Louis Boyd-Wisoner.
The home side went behind again in the second half but Louis scored another equaliser with a fiercely-hit volley inside the box.
Ballynahinch took the lead when Captain Ian McMullan sent Louis through on goal again, he laid it off for Glenn Moffett to put United ahead for the first time in the game.
Despite a lion-hearted performance at centre back from teenager Ethan Perkins, Celtic Bhoys levelled the scores again late on to force a draw in the season opener.
Ballynahinch will be pleased with the point against a strong side who were recently relegated from the top division. And a point in the first game post-Bingy-ball.
The Swifts managerial role is still vacant after Gareth’s departure. Contact us by email or on social media for more information.
Congratulations to Cameron Farr and Chris McVarnock on their club debuts.
Man of the Match: Ethan Perkins
Line up: Louis Roy, Charlie Parkinson, Callum Greene (Cameron Farr), Ethan Perkins, Greg Blunt, Tom Nelson, Ben Maxwell, Glenn Moffett, Ian McMullan [C] (Chris McVarnock), Louis Boyd-Wisoner, Diarmuid Lavery (Kyle Steenson).
Unused subs: Luke Craig, Ryan Rooney.
Elsewhere, Matthew Lindsay’s Albion entertained Rossglass County Development Squad in a preseason fixture at Langley and came out victors with goals for Alan Dickson, Justin Herbert and the aforementioned Gareth Bingham – back on form after the weight of management has been lifted from his shoulders.