BALLYMENA, Northern Ireland (Interstat) — Igor Rutkowski scored in the 46th minute for Ballymena, but Aidan Steele answered for Carrick in the 54th as the Premiership match ended 1-1 at The Showgrounds in Ballymena, Co. Antrim on Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026. The game was organized by the Premiership in Northern Ireland. Ballymena took the lead when Rutkowski converted, then Carrick leveled through Steele nine minutes into the second half. Carrick played the final stages with 10 men after Kym Nelson was sent off in the 72nd minute. Yellow cards went to Ballymena’s Christopher McKee, Igor Rutkowski and Micheál Glynn, and Carrick’s Caleb Hawthorne, Joe Crowe and Billy Burns. Carrick moved to 3-3-1 in the competition and overall, while Ballymena moved to 1-3-2 in the competition and overall. Carrick next hosts Larne on Saturday, Sept. 19. Ballymena travels to Dungannon on Saturday, Sept. 19. The draw leaves both sides looking ahead in the Premiership schedule.