Tony Gorman impressed as 'quiet' Larne could have club's 'greatest ever season'
Tony Gorman has paid tribute to Larne for going about their business quietly after originally thinking the Irish League title would prove a two-horse race between Linfield and Coleraine.
The Inver Reds sit in the driving seat to win a third Gibson Cup crown inside four years - eight points clear of second-placed Coleraine, with the luxury of also having a game in hand.
Before a ball was kicked in anger, Gorman thought the title would be in the trophy cabinet at either one of his two former clubs come the end of the season after tipping Linfield or Coleraine to finish ahead of the rest.
But it is Larne who continue to lead the way and Gorman remarked how the solid defence has helped them pull away from the rest.
"I’m going to be honest at the start I thought the league title would either be won by Linfield or Coleraine,” he said. "After (manager) Nathan Rooney left Larne and Gary Haveron came in (as first-team boss), they have gone about things quietly and there have been no big noises coming out of Inver Park.
"Their defensive record has helped them towards the title...to only concede 13 goals by this stage is a tremendous achievement and it’s obviously something they take pride in.
"They are also now into the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup where you’d imagine they’ll face Glentoran and I was amazed when I heard last weekend that it’s a competition they’ve never won.
"They could perhaps have one of their greatest-ever seasons, although I’m sure Glentoran will have something to say about that.”
Whilst believing Larne will get over the line to lift the title, Gorman is also intrigued about the battle for second place, which also guarantees an entry route into European football next season.
He added: “I think Coleraine will be slightly disappointed not to be a wee bit closer to Larne.
"They have probably dropped points in too many games and I think they’ll be chasing second alongside Glentoran.
"With recent results, I think Linfield have fallen away and are playing themselves out of second place.”
The recent January transfer window saw the likes of Mark Coyle and Aaron McEneff swap the League of Ireland for a crack in the Irish League, with Coleraine and Glentoran respectively.
Donegal native Gorman believes the lure of full-time football north of the border is now a major attraction.
“No disrespect to Glentoran whatsoever because they’re a massive club but I thought Aaron might have stayed in the League of Ireland with Derry City or someone like that,” he said. "He has arguably been one of the best midfielders in the League of Ireland and then you look at Mark Coyle, who captained Shelbourne to the League of Ireland title two years ago.
"The Irish League is financially attractive as clubs are willing to invest and it’s a throwback to when the likes of myself, Dessie Gorman, Pat Fenlon and Martin Russell all joined.
“It’s great for the Irish League that good players are willing to come from not only the Republic of Ireland, but from all parts of the world.”