'He's got a Galactico team': Gary Haveron clear Coleraine 'the one everyone should be chasing' in Irish League title race
Larne manager Gary Haveron believes Coleraine are the team “everyone should be chasing” during this season’s Premiership title race – insisting the Bannsiders have compiled the Irish League’s version of the ‘Galacticos'.
Ruaidhri Higgins’ men have officially started the new campaign as favourites for Gibson Cup glory with bookmakers following another summer of impressive recruitment after Conor McMenamin, Jay Henderson and Ben Doherty arrived at The Showgrounds.
Coleraine are looking to celebrate the club’s centenary in style by winning their first league title since 1974 with Higgins making no bones about his side’s ultimate goal.
Larne enter the 2026/27 season as reigning champions having won a third Gibson Cup across the past four years last term, finishing three points clear of Coleraine.
However, Haveron is clear the Co Londonderry club should be considered favourites this time around after a period of significant investment.
"I don’t think you can look beyond the investment that Coleraine have made,” said Haveron. “I know when Larne were bringing in players, there were a lot of people talking about the money that was being spent.
"It's well documented the kind of money that Coleraine have spent – it's far superior to everybody else and it's got to make an impact.
"When you can bring in quality like Conor McMenamin, even if you go back to the likes of Mark Coyle and Joel Cooper, when you're signing that kind of player, it's hard to ignore.
"They should be in prime position to push forward this season and they'll be the one everyone should be chasing.”
Larne are currently scheduled to begin their Premiership campaign with a trip to Coleraine on August 15, although that could yet be pushed back with the Inver Reds still involved in European action.
Haveron doesn’t see pressure or expectation derailing the Bannsiders’ title bid – and relishes the prospect of fighting against them for honours.
"It depends on their group,” he added. “Ruaidhri won't see it as pressure, it's a luxury that he has.
"He's got a ‘Galactico’ team there, he'll not see it as pressure. He's got a lot of really top players and they'll be up there challenging.
"It's up to us to stay consistent over the course of the season and see how we fare when we play in those bigger games.”