Larne manager Gary Haveron saluted his team’s determination and character against Glentoran at The Oval on Friday night that helped them punch a ticket to the semi-finals of the Clearer Water Irish Cup.

It was a night of pure drama, played out in front of a big East Belfast crowd.

Declan Devine’s Glens forged a breakthrough seconds before half-time when midfielder Cammy Palmer produced a classy finish.

But Larne levelled things up 14 minutes from time through ace marksman Andy Ryan.

placeholder image — Larne manager Gary Haveron celebrates his side's Irish Cup win. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

The advantage swung in Larne’s favour when Glens defender MJ Kamson-Kamara was dismissed with three minutes of normal time remaining.

Haveron’s boys, however, failed to press home their numerical advantage in the 30-minute period of extra-time, resulting in a dreaded penalty shootout.

What a disaster it turned out to be for Glentoran, who failed to hit the net with any of their spot kicks – Pat Hoban, Jordan Jenkins and Palmer all failing miserably. All three were saved by Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson.

Skipper Tomas Cosgrove and Sean Graham both converted for the visitors before Paul O’Neill rammed his shot against the crossbar. But Chris Gallagher stepped up to finish the job, securing his team a place in the last-four of the competition.

“It was a bit of a rollercoaster,” said Haveron. “Glentoran were much the better side in the first half, but they didn’t create a lot.

"To concede seconds before half-time was bitterly disappointing.

“But in the second half, I thought we showed everything that was good about Larne Football Club. We showed character and determination to drag ourselves back into the game.

“The boys took the game to the Glens and I thought we were much the better side. To get the goal when we did was really timely.

“Conor (McKendry) delivered a great ball across the box and Andy couldn’t miss it. If there is one man you want in that position it’s Andy Ryan. I was thrilled to see the ball hit the net.

“Then when they went down to 10 men, I’m thinking, ‘right let’s go on and win this’.

“In saying that, Glentoran kept a really good shape; they sat in. They never came out of that (defensive) block and tried to pick their moments to counter-attack.”

Haveron believes his team did enough to win it to avoid the agony of penalties.

He added: “Dan (Bent) had a big chance just before the 90 minutes were up and Sean Graham really should have finished it in extra-time when he was through one-on-one with the goalkeeper.

“When it goes to penalties, you are nervous, but because of where we’ve been and what we’ve done (in Europe), I had great faith in the players.

“They were able to handle big moments in European nights and with Rohan Ferguson in goals, you’ve always got a chance.”

Glentoran manager Declan Devine reckons Kamson-Kamara’s sending off was a big turning point in the game.

“It was always going to be difficult with 10 men,” he said. “I believe he won the ball for the second yellow...I don’t even think it’s a foul because he wins the ball.

“It is what it is. It’s something we must take on the chin. The atmosphere in the ground was outstanding; the fans gave us that energy, they are a credit to the club.

“But ultimately, we are not in the hat for the next round.”