How did Larne regain the Irish Premiership?

ByJana McCabe

BBC Sport NI journalist

Larne have written their names in the history books once again after being crowned Irish Premiership champions for the third time in four years.

Knowing that a draw against Dungannon Swifts was enough to secure the title, they registered a commanding 8-0 win at Inver Park, a result which is their biggest topflight win this century.

Despite occupying the top of the table since November, Gary Haveron's side have had to navigate plenty of twists and turns to clinch the title.

BBC Sport NI looks back on a season to remember for the Inver Reds.

After last year's Champions, Linfield, finished 22 points clear of the Inver Reds in second, Larne fans would have been hoping their side could regroup and have a summer with no surprises.

However, it did not prove to be the case.

It may have raised concern when owner Kenny Bruce sold his majority stake to Redball Global FC after eight crucial years at the club. Those worries were strengthened when Shaun Want returned to Scotland and the club announced that captain Cian Bolger would miss the season through injury.

The new owners were quick to make a change of management with Nathan Rooney, who had joined the club in May 2025, departing the club after their opening Irish Premiership game and Haveron becoming interim manager once again.

However, with Haveron having occupied the position of head coach for much of last season and also when Tiernan Lynch left, Larne had a more than capable replacement to take the role on full-time, with the 45-year-old eventually named as permanent manager in October.

Despite the early season chaos, Larne hit the ground running and, while other teams near the top of the table dominated the early season headlines, Larne managed to slip under the radar.

Larne's run to the third qualifying round of the Conference League gave the side the chance to gel quickly and show resilience which has been clear throughout the season.

The Inver Reds only lost one game out of the six against Latvian FK Auda, Kosovo's Prishtina and Santa Clara from Portugal.

It also gave the new signings a chance to settle into the side with new addition Dan Bent netting during the second qualifying round.

They also won two penalty shoot-outs in the process, with goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson coming to the fore, something which would also be seen throughout the domestic campaign.

Larne may have missed the chance to qualify for the Conference League for the second year in a row, but the qualifying campaign helped grow confidence and prepared them for a busy season ahead.

It hasn't been plain sailing for the Inver Reds on the pitch either after their 11-point lead at the top of table in January was cut to just two points in a month.

It was an unexpected twist in the Irish Premiership tale and one that set up one of the most exciting title races in recent years.

When Larne fans look back at this season, most will skip over February when the side won just one of their five league fixtures.

Defeats against bottom-six sides Carrick Rangers and Portadown paired with draws against the 'Big Two' set up an intriguing final two months of the Irish Premiership.

After their February blip, the side went on an unbeaten run and reestablished a four-point lead before the split.

They then faced more challenges when they were defeated by Coleraine in the Irish Cup semi-finals before being beaten by the Bannsiders just three days later in what looked like a damaging result for their Premiership title attempts.

However, a victory over Linfield followed by a draw at the Oval and a win against the Swifts secured the Gibson Cup in dramatic style on the final day of the season.

Over the last number of years, Larne have been known for being solid defensively and this season is no different.

They have conceded just 26 goals in 37 games this season, the lowest in the Premiership this season.

Stopper Rohan Ferguson has played in all of Larne's league matches and has registered clean sheets in 21 Premiership matches.

Summer signing Matt Ridley played a huge part in their defensive solidity and also scored in the crucial 2-0 victory over Linfield in recent weeks.

Versatile Tomas Cosgrove has shown consistency once again at the back after becoming club captain in the summer with youngster James Simpson also impressing in defence.

At the other end of the pitch, the Inver Reds have scored 73 goals this season.

Striker Ryan missed nearly five months of the season through a knee injury but, despite their main goalscorer being absent, Larne have still netted the joint second most goals in the league.

Ryan's return bolstered the side and he hit the ground running and managed to net 16 goals this campaign and is the club's top scorer for the season.

Fellow striker Matthew Lusty scored nine goals, while Paul O'Neill registered 11 in the league campaign as Larne proved they had many players upfront who could score in crucial moments.

While the celebrations will continue for a long period of time in east Antrim, the 2025/26 season will one remembered by Larne for it's incredible highs but also lows.