Three goals in the opening half an hour left Larne with far too much to do as Shamrock Rovers cruised to victory in this cross-border UEFA Conference League clash at Windsor Park.
The visitors were ahead inside the opening four minutes as Josh Honohan gave them the lead and when Johnny Kenny’s strike was followed by an own goal from Tomas Cosgrove, it was game over.
A goal from Chris Gallagher just after the restart looked to have potentially breathed life into the tie, but Graham Burke capitalised on a mistake at the back from Larne to end any hopes of a comeback.
A poor night for Larne ended with even more disappointment when Cosgrove had to be helped off at the end of a game where apparent sectarian chanting came from the Rovers supporters in both halves.
Larne vs Shamrock Rovers ‘is for all-island bragging rights’
Larne
1
:
4
Shamrock Rovers
Graham Burke
54′
Chris Gallagher
48′
Tomas Cosgrove (own goal)
33′
Johnny Kenny
24′
Josh Honohan
3′
Postgame
Adam McKendry
90’+4
Adam McKendry
I do apologise, they did have one sub left to make and Want is on for Cosgrove.
90’+4
Adam McKendry
A late card for the Rovers skipper as he brings down Jordan McEneff as the Larne man steams forward.
90’+3
Adam McKendry
Sad sight
A challenge along the near touchline leaves Tomas Cosgrove on the floor in pain and the Larne defender has to be helped off by a trainer. He won’t be replaced as Larne have used all their substitutes, so they will end this game with ten men.
90’+1
Adam McKendry
Added time
Just four extra minutes left in this one as Shamrock Rovers cruise to the win.
87′
Adam McKendry
Lovely play by Larne and an equally good save by Léon Pöhls!
Mark Randall is the one to seize on a poor ball out from the back by Rovers to push forward, he feeds it to Andy Ryan on the edge of the box and the striker is able to lay it off to Lusty, whose shot is deflected on the way through and Pöhls is able to re-adjust his body at the last second to make the save and then snatch it to his body at the second attempt!
If there was going to be a dramatic comeback, that’s it over now.
Larne are trying to catch Shamrock Rovers out on halfway but when the Rovers manage to get the ball beyond there, the chances are coming and this one falls to Nugent as he drives forward and gets a stroke of luck when his attempted pass to Johnny Kenny is deflected straight back into his path with a clear run to goal, but his stinging low effort is well saved by the legs of Rohan Ferguson.
The rebound falls kindly for Trevor Clarke on the left side of the box, but his rasping drive is straight at Ferguson and the goalkeeper is able to comfortably palm it to safety.
78′
Adam McKendry
Another good bit of skill down the right hand side by Sean Graham as he manages to beat his man and pull the cross back into a dangerous area but Léon Pöhls is out like a flash to catch the cross!
77′
Adam McKendry
Brilliant work down the left by Jordan McEneff to beat his man and get to the by-line, he’s able to pull the ball back to the six-yard box but there’s Roberto Lopes to get in ahead of Andy Ryan and prevent the striker from getting his shot away on goal!
74′
Adam McKendry
73′
Adam McKendry
73′
Adam McKendry
73′
Adam McKendry
72′
Adam McKendry
66′
Adam McKendry
65′
Adam McKendry
Dangerous chance now for Larne as Daniel Cleary and Levi Ives go for the same ball and, although it looked like a fairly even challenge that spun out for a home throw-in, the referee signals for a free-kick and this will be a potentially dangerous delivery from the left.
Or not. It’s easily dealt with by Shamrock Rovers and cleared back to halfway.
61′
Adam McKendry
Interesting titbit
This is the first time the McEneff brothers, Jordan for Larne and Aaron for Shamrock Rovers, have ever played against each other now that they are on the pitch at the same time!
