Soccer

Glentoran out to halt Larne's winning start to season in Oval showdown

Despite Tuesday night's Co Antrim Shield victory over Cliftonville, Mick McDermott's Glentoran are still searching for first win in the Danske Bank Premiership. Picture by PA
Despite Tuesday night's Co Antrim Shield victory over Cliftonville, Mick McDermott's Glentoran are still searching for first win in the Danske Bank Premiership. Picture by PA Despite Tuesday night's Co Antrim Shield victory over Cliftonville, Mick McDermott's Glentoran are still searching for first win in the Danske Bank Premiership. Picture by PA

Danske Bank Irish Premiership

THEY will meet in the final of the County Antrim Shield on December 1 – but first of all Irish Cup holders Glentoran and second-placed Larne will face off at The Oval this evening (5.30pm, streamed live on BBC Sport NI website).

The Glens have had a tough start to the season after failing to earn a win from their opening three league games, as well as losing on-loan Bobby Burns to a horrific double leg break in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat Coleraine.

However, Dale Gorman's late goal saw them edge past Cliftonville in Tuesday’s Co Antrim Shield semi-final, and manager Mick McDermott will be hoping that can kickstart their season.

Larne, meanwhile, are on the crest of a wave with a 100 per cent record so far, including Tuesday’s 4-1 victory over Linfield.

Today is likely to come too soon for Conor McKendry, but striker Johnny McMurray came off the bench against the Blues and could force his way into boss Tiernan Lynch’s thinking.

Cliftonville, meanwhile, will be out to bounce back from their midweek disappointment when Paddy McLaughlin’s men welcome Warrenpoint Town to Solitude.

Goals from Thomas Maguire, Conor McMenamin and Joe Gormley saw the Reds ease past Carrick last weekend, and they are fancied to pick up another three points today.

Table-toppers Linfield make the trip to Shamrock Park to take on a promoted Portadown side who, thus far, haven’t looked out of their depth in the top flight after taking four points from their opening three games.

Considering Stephen Fallon was sent off just before Larne had levelled on Tuesday night, Blues boss David Healy will be hoping that defeat can quickly be forgotten.

Coleraine have recovered from their opening night loss at the hands of neighbours Ballymena with impressive wins over Portadown and potential title rivals Glentoran last week, and the Bannsiders should be too strong for Gary Hamilton’s Glenavon.

Defeat to Linfield last Friday night was a setback for Crusaders’s own Gibson Cup ambitions, and they won’t get it easy against a Ballymena United bidding to hit back after the disappointment of defeat to Larne – a late quickfire double from David McDaid killing off the Braidmen’s hopes.

At the Loughshore Hotel Arena, Carrick will hope to get some points on the board against fellow strugglers Dungannon Swifts.