Larne's Triumphant Return to Irish Premiership Glory
Larne secured the Gibson Cup in a remarkable fashion on the final day of the season, marking their third Irish Premiership championship in four years. With a draw against Dungannon Swifts sufficient to claim the title, Larne instead delivered an emphatic 8-0 victory at Inver Park, the club's largest top-flight win this century.
Having led the table since November, Gary Haveron's squad overcame numerous challenges to ultimately secure the championship. NI reviews a memorable season for the Inver Reds.
Summer Stress
Following a previous season where champions Linfield finished 22 points ahead of Larne in second place, supporters hoped for a stable summer with minimal upheaval. However, the off-season brought significant changes.
Concerns arose when owner Kenny Bruce sold his majority stake to Redball Global FC after eight pivotal years at the club. These worries intensified as Shaun Want returned to Scotland and captain Cian Bolger was announced to miss the entire season due to injury.
The new ownership swiftly enacted a managerial change: Nathan Rooney, who had joined in May 2025, departed after the opening Irish Premiership match, with Gary Haveron stepping in once again as interim manager.
Haveron, who had served as head coach for much of the previous season and during Tiernan Lynch's departure, was a capable choice to assume the role permanently. The 45-year-old was officially appointed permanent manager in October.
Despite early-season instability, Larne started strongly. While other top-table teams dominated early headlines, Larne quietly progressed under the radar.
Impressive European Run
Larne made history last season by becoming the first Irish Premiership side to qualify for the Conference League group stages.
The team's journey to the third qualifying round of the Conference League allowed them to develop cohesion and demonstrate resilience, traits evident throughout the season.
In six matches against Latvian side Auda, Kosovo's Prishtina, and Portugal's Santa Clara, Larne suffered only one defeat.
The European campaign also provided opportunities for new signings to integrate, with Dan Bent scoring during the second qualifying round.
Larne triumphed in two penalty shoot-outs, with goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson playing a key role, a performance level he maintained throughout the domestic season.
Although Larne did not qualify for the Conference League for a second consecutive year, the qualifying rounds bolstered their confidence and prepared them for a demanding season.
Recovering from Multiple Blips
The season was not without difficulties on the pitch. Larne's 11-point lead at the top in January narrowed dramatically to just two points within a month, setting the stage for one of the most thrilling title races in recent memory.
February was particularly challenging, with the team winning only one of five league matches. Losses to lower-ranked Carrick Rangers and Portadown, combined with draws against the 'Big Two', intensified the competition heading into the final months.
Following this dip, Larne embarked on an unbeaten streak, reestablishing a four-point lead prior to the league split.
Further setbacks included a defeat by Coleraine in the Irish Cup semi-finals and a subsequent loss to the same team three days later, which appeared to jeopardize their title ambitions.
Nevertheless, Larne responded with a victory over Linfield, a draw at the Oval, and a win against Dungannon Swifts, ultimately securing the Gibson Cup in dramatic fashion on the season's final day.
Defensive Delight
Over recent years, Larne has been recognized for defensive solidity, a trend that continued this season.
The team conceded only 26 goals across 37 games, the lowest total in the Premiership.
Goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson featured in all league matches, achieving 21 clean sheets.
Summer signing Matt Ridley contributed significantly to defensive strength and scored in the crucial 2-0 victory over Linfield.
Versatile defender Tomas Cosgrove maintained consistency after being appointed club captain in the summer, while young defender James Simpson also impressed.
Ryan's Return from Injury
Offensively, Larne scored 73 goals during the season.
Striker Ryan missed nearly five months due to a knee injury but, despite his absence, the team managed the joint second-highest goal tally in the league.
Upon his return, Ryan quickly regained form, netting 16 goals and finishing as the club's top scorer.
Other forwards contributed significantly: Matthew Lusty scored nine goals, and Paul O'Neill added 11 during the league campaign, demonstrating Larne's depth in attack.
While celebrations continue in east Antrim, the 2025/26 season will be remembered for its remarkable highs and challenging lows.
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