Summer signing Kevin O’Hara had to wait until 82 minutes into Larne’s 12th Premiership title defence of the season to grab his first league goal – with the striker now hoping for rapid returns as reward for the early-season waiting game.

The Scotland-born forward stepped off the sidelines on Friday night after 70 minutes and made his mark on the scoresheet to see off a spirited Portadown side and secure Larne a first Inver Park league win since September 15.

"I've been working hard behind the scenes after training, working on finishing, probably trying to be more selfish and stay inside the box when I get that opportunity,” said O’Hara on the club’s official social media platforms. "And I took the opportunity tonight...got the goal, happy to get the three points.

"The quality in the forward areas, there's competition for places...seven or eight players that are fighting to get that spot up front.

placeholder image — Kevin O'Hara heads off after firing Larne in front on Friday against Portadown across the Boyle Sports Premiership. (Photo by Andrew McCarroll/Pacemaker Press)

"That was one I wanted to get...my first league goal.

"I've had to wait a wee while but, hopefully, now that'll be me up-and-running, I can really kick on.”

O’Hara provided the finishing touch to an assist from fellow substitute Mark Randall – with referee Louise Thompson initially awarding Larne a penalty at 0-0 then overturning her decision.

"That's what we've got, we've got a really good depth of a squad,” said O’Hara. "So we know if we need to change it, the boys are there who can change the game.

"We thought we'd got the penalty...the ref changed her mind and we didn't want that to be the outcome of the game.

"And I think now that will be us back up and running, we've got the result and that will be us ready to go again."

LARNE: Rohan Ferguson, Matthew Ridley, Aaron Donnelly, Chris Gallagher, Conor McKendry, Paul O'Neill, Sean Graham, Ronan Doherty, Tomas Cosgrove, Dan Bent, James Simpson. Subs: Jacob Carney, Mark Randall, Kevin O'Hara, Leroy Millar, Jordan McEneff, Dylan Sloan, Matthew Lusty.

PORTADOWN: Aaron McCarey, Matthew Carson, Baris Altintop, Lewis MacKinnon, Lee Chapman, Eamon Fyfe, James Teelan, Jack Scott, Mikey Hewitt, Gary Thompson, Ben Kennedy. Subs: Jamie Barry, Tabu Rabby Minzamba, Adam Towe, Conor Falls, Benjamin Wells, Finn Flanagan, Dominic Martins.