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 — Jordan Stewart of Glentoran receives a yellow card. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

Here’s what Larne manager Gary Haveron had to say after the match:

HAPPY WITH THE WIN?

“Yeah, great win.

"The scoreline maybe doesn't reflect on how dominant we were in the game. I thought we were excellent from the first whistle.

"Obviously there was no hangover from Europe, we came out with a real purpose and real intent about how we wanted to go about our business tonight.

"Football can just be freaky sometimes, sport in general can throw up madness.

"I think that's what the last performance was. In the last seven minutes it was just madness.

"We were just very, very unfortunate because everything that could go against us did. The eight games that we played in Europe, I thought we were fantastic. Most of the football we played was excellent.

"The football we played tonight was fantastic at times. Free flowing, everybody looking for the ball, everybody playing with confidence.

"There was no hangover. We just got back down to doing what we do. It's a very, very good win.

"I would have liked to have seen more goals and a clean sheet, but I've got to be happy with every single person's contribution there tonight.”

AS YOU SAY NO HANGOVER, WHAT HAS THE PAST WEEK BEEN LIKE?

"We'll always stick together, I think that's what our club's founded on.

"Our biggest strength is the willingness that we have as a group. I don't question any one of our players' characters.

"We've got brilliant characters in our dressing room and brilliant people.

"On any given day, people will make mistakes, but they're always a genuine mistake.

"When they get an opportunity, they've come back and they've come out swinging or fighting to show what they're about as a group.”

SHOULD GLENTORAN HAVE HAD A PLAYER SENT OFF (JORDAN STEWART CHALLENGE ON TOMAS COSGROVE)?

"Yes, 100% they should have.

"How he stays on the pitch, I have no idea.

"The referee says he didn't get a great view of it, but then his linesman's standing directly across from him, so if he doesn't see it, then the linesman's got to intervene.

"When you watch that tackle back, it's a really, really nasty tackle. It's so high.

"But listen, I thought in general the referee had a good game tonight, there was no massive talking points, but that was one that when you see it back, it's certainly a red card.”

LOOKING FORWARD TO FOCUSING ON PREMIERSHIP NOW?

"Europe is done now, it's a small window.

"This was always going to be our primary focus, no matter what.

"Europe, we were never going to win the Conference League, believe it or not, so the Irish League, that's something we feel we're going to be competitive in.

"We'll be competitive in every single game we can possibly challenge for this year.”