Larne manager Gary Haveron hailed “classy finisher” Andy Ryan after his braced secured a 2-1 Premiership victory over Bangor.

Ryan missed the opening five months of this season through injury but has wasted no time showing his goalscoring prowess upon returning to the Inver Reds squad.

The 31-year-old registered his first league start of the campaign on Friday evening and struck twice within 37 minutes as Larne extended their unbeaten Premiership run to 16 matches.

Ryan also netted a brace in a 3-0 victory over nearest rivals Coleraine earlier this month and Haveron feels lucky to have such prolific attacking options at his disposal.

placeholder image — Larne's Andy Ryan celebrates scoring his second goal. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

"I was Andy was excellent,” Haveron told the club’s media channel. “His all-round play, dropping off the line to help build, I thought he was brilliant.

"He does what he does, his two goals are class finishes and that’s what he is, he’s a classy finisher.

"When you come around January and everybody is looking to improve their squads in certain areas, we always knew Andy was going to be key for the second half of the season.

"Frustrating not having him for the first half, but in his absence I have to say Paul O’Neill has been outstanding, Tiarnan O’Connor has been outstanding, Matty Lusty came in and probably hasn’t got the goals his all-round contribution deserves.

"We’ve had to chop and change with different players, but I could pick any of the four and I’m more than happy with what we’ve got up the top end of the park.

"They’re all very exciting and slightly different types of players so they all complement each other really well. I’m lucky to have them and I’m glad Andy is back firing and scoring goals.”

Ronan Doherty made his Larne debut on Friday, starting against Bangor and played 70 minutes – just a matter of days after his permanent move from Coleraine was confirmed.

Haveron is well aware of the former Cliftonville midfielder’s all-round skillset having came up against him on numerous occasions, while he also admired Doherty from afar in the Reds’ Irish Cup triumph against Linfield in 2024.

"Ro has come in and he fits with our culture brilliantly,” added Haveron. “He’s the type of lad that wants to get on the ball and play.

“He can also dig in and be gritty. I said to the boys there pre-match about seeing him in the Irish Cup final in 2024 and I thought he was absolutely sensational.

"When they needed a lift he was the one who grabbed the game by the scruff, I thought he was excellent legs, he kept going when he was cramping and came out the other side of it.

"That’s the type of character you want because that’s who we have within our group. We have people who are relentless and won’t quit.

"That’s the type of mentality we want to have within the club and team. He complements it really well and he knows so many of them already. He’s a very classy footballer, I think he’s a fantastic addition.”