IRISH LEAGUE: Ards promoted to Danske Bank Premiership
Needing a point to lift the title, Ards were 2-0 up at half-time thanks to a Ross Arthurs strike and an own goal by visiting keeper Gareth Buchanan.
Niall Currie’s men added a third after the break through Carl McComb.
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Hide AdH&W Welders beat Bangor 1-0 to finish runners-up, three points behind Ards, and Institute go into the play-off.
Larne almost snatched an unlikely place in the promotion/relegation play-off
With the Welders, Armagh and Knockbreda not having a Premiership licences, fifth-placed Institute go into the promotion/relegation game over two legs against Ballinamallard United who finished one-from-bottom of the Premiership.
Institute lost 1-0 to Ballyclare but just edged their place on goal difference from Larne who hammered Lisburn Distillery 6-1.
Ards, who play at Bangor’s home ground, last played in the top flight in 2014 when they were relegated.