Danske Bank Premiership: Larne clinch maiden title in style

After 134 years of existence, Larne are top-flight Irish League champions for the first time in their history.

They did it in fine style with a comfortable 2-0 win over Crusaders at Seaview to clinch the Gibson Cup in North Belfast in front of their expectant travelling support.

A goal in each half from Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis did the trick for Tiernan Lynch’s men as Kenny Bruce’s investment when he took over 5 seasons ago paid the ultimate dividend.

While it was both their strikers who found the net, this season has been built on a rock-solid defence and goalkeeper who have only conceded 18 goals in 36 games.

And there is no doubt that they have been the best team in the league over the course of the season.

After a cagey opening period, Larne took the lead after just 12 minutes through January signing Ryan.

Micheal Glynn received a return ball from his own throw-on on the left hand side, deep into the Crusaders half. The wing-back whipped in a dipping cross and Ryan got in front of Daniel Larmour to poke the ball home at the near post.

Ryan almost doubled the lead from distance in the 26th minute. A loose pass from Crusaders left-back Rory McKeown was intercepted by the Scottish striker, who cut onto his right foot and curled a 25-yarder just over Jonny Tuffey’s crossbar.

A bizarre incident then occurred eight minutes before the break.

A tussle between Crues midfielder Philip Lowry and Larne’s Fuad Sule saw Sule’s heels clipped and in the ensuing arguments, Billy Joe Burns tossed the ball in the direction of Referee Christopher Morrison, hitting Larne defender Shaun Want on the head. Morrison deemed that worthy of a red card for Crues captain Burns as the tie threatened to boil over.

Having taken off Paul Heatley just before the break, with Declan Caddell taking his place, Crusaders boss Stephen Baxter made two further changes at half-time as Ross Clarke and Jordan Owens came on for Gary Thompson and Adam Lecky.

And it was the North Belfast men who had the first chance of the second period, when Jordan Forsythe forced Larne keeper Rohan Ferguson into a smart stop to push his 25-yard low free-kick out for a corner.

Larne then all but ensured the title would be going to Inver Park for the first time two minutes after the hour mark.

After Daniel Larmour had headed over Clarke’s corner, the visitors raced down the pitch to double their lead.

Lee Bonis fed Leroy Millar down the left and the striker burst through the middle to sweep home Millar’s low centre from 10 yards out for his 15th goal of the season.

After that, they rang the changes and saw the game out in comfortable style to ease to that maiden title.

MATCH STATS

Crusaders: Tuffey, Burns (C), Larmour, Hegarty, McKeown, Lowry, Forsythe (Stewart 68), Thompson (Clarke H-T), Lecky (Owens H-T), Ebbe, Heatley (Caddell 44)

Subs not used: Murphy, Weir, Winchester

Larne: Ferguson, Cosgrove (C), Want (Watson 59), Bolger, Donnelly, Glynn (Kelly 69), Sule (Randall 85), Thomson (Gordon 69), Millar, Ryan (O’Neill 85), Bonis

Subs not used: Pardington, Maguire

Referee: Christopher Morrison

Meanwhile on Saturday afternoon, Portadown boosted their hopes of avoiding relegation with a 3-1 win over visiting Carrick Rangers. Two goals from Cathair Friel and one from Josh Archer sealed the three points at Shamrock Park.

Late goals from Jordan Gibson and Kym Nelson snatched a 2-0 win for Ballymena United over visiting Dungannon Swifts.

Glenavon have clinched seventh place and their play-off spot. That is after a 1-0 win at Newry City.

Jack Malone scored the only goal of the game. The result leaves Newry very much still in the relegation battle.

Glentoran have leap-frogged Cliftonville after a 3-0 win over their north Belfast neighbours. Junior Uzokwe netted his first for the Glens, whilst Bobby Burns netted a brace.

And Niall Quinn's late goal was the difference as Linfield won 1-0 at Coleraine. It gives the Blues a potentially decisive grip on second spot and the automatic place in Europe that brings.