Sports Direct Irish Premiership

Inver Park, Larne

Saturday 13^th September 2025

Gutsy Glenavon suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against title chasing Larne.

Matt Ridley scored the winner in the 81^st minute. Jacob Carney saved Mark Randall’s 31^st minute penalty-kick.

Paddy McLaughlin’s side was without captain Barney McKeown and central defensive mainstay Harry Murphy due to suspension. Josh Kee was ineligible. Peter Campbell and Niall Quinn were injured.

Oran O’Kane headed Jack Malone’s 3^rd minute corner-kick into Rohan Ferguson’s hands.

After making a fine run on the right Paul McGovern cut inside before shooting high and wide from 20 yards.

Kyle McClelland got a touch to another dangerous Malone corner kick, but Ridley blocked the ball with his body.

Barely a minute later Larne was awarded a penalty-kick when Luke Cartwright was adjudged to have impeded Conor McKendry just inside the penalty area.

Mark Randall took the kick. Although the ball was hit with pace, Jack Carney dived to his right to make a brilliant one-handed stop. Randall pounced on the rebound but shot wide.

In the closing minutes of the first half McKendry had an opportunity to test Glenavon’s young custodian from a promising free kick situation on the edge of the penalty area. However, the former Coleraine attacking midfielder shot well over.

Early in the second half Randall forced Carney to move sharply to his right again from a free kick 25 yards out. The young goalkeeper made another fine save.

In the 64^th minute Matthew Lusty shot not far wide from the corner of the penalty area.

Carney was at the centre of the action again when Benji Magee let fly with a half volley from 20 yards. The Englishman launched himself to his left and tipped the ball over the crossbar. Another outstanding stop.

With ten minutes to go the home side forced a succession of corner kicks. Sean Graham produced a fine cross from the third, Carney came but didn’t get the ball and 6’ 5” centre half Matt Ridley headed into the net.

James Simpson shot well over from distance.

When Kobei Moore hit a fine left foot shot from 15 yards, Carney dived to his left to make another excellent save.

LARNE: Ferguson, Gallagher, Ridley, Nolan, Graham, Cosgrove, Bent, Lusty, McKendry, Magee, Randall, SUBS: Graham (not used), T. O’Connor for McKendry (57 mins), McEneff for Randall (72 mins), Moore for Lusty (82 mins), Harkin (not used), Wallace (not used), Simpson for Magee (72 mins).

Yellow Cards: Bent (11’), Lusty (39’).

GLENAVON: Carney, McMullan, O’Kane, Cartwright, McClelland, Lowe, Carlin, McDaid, McGovern, Malone, Wilson, SUBS: Byrne (not used), Mallon (not used), Lomboto for McDaid (62 mins), M. O’Connor for McGovern (68 mins), Bosakani for Wilson (79 mins), Smith (not used), McGerrigan (not used).

Yellow Cards: Wilson (53’), McDaid (61’), Lomboto (69’), Cartwright (90+3’).

REFEREE: Steven Gregg (Ballyclare).