Larne put any potential lingering European disappointment behind them on Friday with a 2-1 Premiership win over Glentoran at Inver Park.

The Inver Reds were eliminated in the dying seconds of extra-time during last Thursday’s Conference League play-off showdown with Lincoln Red Imps when League Phase progression was within touching distance.

Just like during Larne’s European exit, there was some late drama as Aaron McEneff’s penalty gave Glentoran a lifeline after Sean Graham and Matty Lusty had struck for the hosts.

However, Larne held on to hand the Glens their third league defeat across five matches at the start of this season.

placeholder image — Sean Graham of Larne scores. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Here’s everything to need to know from the match:

TOP RATED

Larne (Ronan Doherty): Doherty has began his first full season at Larne in tremendous form, playing a key role in their European run.

He started in all eight matches throughout the Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, and has also been in from the start in both of their Premiership matches, proving his value to Gary Haveron.

The former Cliftonville star ran Larne’s midfield on Friday, showing composure to keep the hosts ticking along on their way to victory.

Glentoran (Marcus Kane): It was a tough night for Glentoran at the start of a tough season with not many playing to their potential.

Captain Kane was once again a solid presence at the back, making a number of crucial clearances and blocks.

At 34 and having made more than 500 career appearances, Kane remains one of Glentoran’s top performers.

BIG MOMENT

Having just returned from suspension after receiving a red card against Linfield, Jordan Stewart was extremely fortunate to escape another for a lunge which caught Tomas Cosgrove high after 34 minutes. Referee Tony Clarke awarded yellow when it very easily could have been more.

LINE UPS

Larne: Rohan Ferguson, Tomas Cosgrove, Dan Bent, Matt Ridley, Aaron Donnelly, Sean Graham (James Simpson, 79), Chris Gallagher, Ronan Doherty (Mark Randall, 83), Dylan Sloan (Jordan McEneff, 83), Matty Lusty (Montel Gibson, 88), Paul O’Neill (Kevin O’Hara, 79)

Subs: Jacob Carney, Logan Wallace

Glentoran: Billy Crellin, Ryan Cooney, Marcus Kane, Ethan Schilte-Brown, James Singleton, Josh Kelly (Jack Malone, 43), Aaron McEneff, James Douglas (Ross Clarke, 78), Conor McMenamin, Ben Gallagher (Jordan Jenkins, 63), Jordan Stewart

Subs: Andrew Mills, Josh Daniels, Daniel Larmour, Ciaran Rogers-Duffy

Referee: Tony Clarke

MATCH STATS

Goals

Larne: Sean Graham (51), Matty Lusty (72)

Glentoran: Aaron McEneff (88)

Cards

Larne: Dan Bent (87),

Glentoran: Marcus Kane (31), Jordan Stewart (34), James Douglas (40)

TALKING POINTS

Larne reaction: All eyes were on how defending champions Larne would bounce back from the disappointment of their heartbreaking European exit on Thursday night against Lincoln Red Imps – and they answered it emphatically.

The Inver Reds were just a matter of minutes away from progressing to the Conference League’s League Phase, where they would have banked £2.7million and set up dream clashes.

It wouldn’t be easy to put that in the rear view mirror quickly, but Haveron’s men were impressively able to as they now set sights on retaining the Gibson Cup.

McMenamin return: Conor McMenamin dominated this summer’s transfer window with his move from St Mirren to Coleraine and then returning to Glentoran just 70 days later.

The Northern Ireland international started his first Premiership match since April 2023 on Friday, adding a bit of star power to the Irish League.

He had a few bright moments, forcing Rohan Ferguson into a first half save and his header back across goal moments after Graham’s opener could have led to a potential equaliser, but there’ll be more to come.