Sport

Glens and Larne hoping to cash in on Euro bonus

Glentoran's Conor McMenamin celebrates his goal against Glenavon with Jay Donnelly. The duo's scoring prowess could be the difference in tonight's European play-off against Larne Picture: Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press
Glentoran's Conor McMenamin celebrates his goal against Glenavon with Jay Donnelly. The duo's scoring prowess could be the difference in tonight's European play-off against Larne Picture: Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press Glentoran's Conor McMenamin celebrates his goal against Glenavon with Jay Donnelly. The duo's scoring prowess could be the difference in tonight's European play-off against Larne Picture: Desmond Loughery/Pacemaker Press

Dankse Bank Premiership European play-off: Glentoran v Larne (tonight, the Oval, 7.45pm)

LARNE travel to the Oval this evening hoping to book their place in the Europa Conference League for the second season running via the Danske Bank Premiership play-off final. The Inver Park side came out on top of last year's play-off final, seeing off Cliftonville 3-1 thanks to two goals from Davy McDaid and one from Lee Lynch.

Standing in their way is a Glentoran side who also competed in last season's Europa Conference League through their league position. A second consecutive third place finish wasn't enough to gain entry into the competition with a reduction in European places for Irish League clubs this season, to the Glens are hoping to cash in on tonight's lucrative play-off final which could land the winners a potential £200,000 windfall.

Larne hold the distinction of being the first Irish League club to win a Europa Conference League tie after winning both legs against Bala Town of Wales in the first qualifying round. They scored memorable win over Danish side Aarhus in the next round before bowing out in the third qualifying round to Pacos de Ferreira of Portugal.

They progressed from Tuesday night's semi-final with a 2-0 over Coleraine thanks to a Rodney Brown own goal and second from Mark Randall in injury time.

Speaking afterwards, manager Tiarnan Lynch said their experience of Europe earlier this season will be big motivating factor as they attempt to clinch a spot in next season's Europa Conference League.

"I know for the club, there's the financial implications and rewards but as a team and a manager, the big thing is the experience." he told larnefc.com

"We loved every minute of Europe last season, playing against teams from different countries and how they set up and our boys were magnificent and they really stood up to the plate.

"They loved the travel and the experience and I think that's the things that will have to make them want to get over the line on Friday night.

"Last year, our fans didn't really get to travel because of Covid and didn't get to enjoy the European experience.

"The more we can get at the Oval on Friday night and get that 12th man, it'll make a massive difference to us."

Securing European football for next season will be equally vital to Glentoran's ambitions. In what looked like a three-way battle for the league title, the Glens fell away in the later months of the season and finished 11 points behind second-placed Cliftonville.

Their much documented expulsion from the Irish Cup due to playing an ineligible closed off another route to Europe for the east Belfast club.

The also enjoyed a 2-0 win in their semi-final on Tuesday against Glenavon with manager Mick McDermott saying afterwards they could have scored more.

Jay Donnelly and Conor McMenamin were their goalscorers against the Lurgan Blues and their partnership has proved fruitful for the Glens this season. The pair finished in the top two position in the league's goalscoring charts, Donnelly netting 26 with McMenamin grabbing 21.

McDaid is Larne's top league scorer with 12, so the home side will provide the greater attacking threat this evening and that may will tip the balance.