Crusaders 0 Larne 2
THEY have been inching their way towards it for weeks, but Larne wrapped up their first ever top-flight title in style at Seaview on Friday evening.
A 2-0 win away to Crusaders – who played the second half with 10 men after BJ Burns' sending off – ensured the celebrations could really get underway for Tiernan Lynch’s men.
A goal early in each half from front two Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis sealed the victory and ensured the title would leave Belfast for the first time in 21 years.
It was 50 years to the month since Crusaders went to Inver Park looking to wrap up a league title of their own. Now, the roles were reversed with Larne coming to Seaview bidding to get the solitary point which would seal their maiden title in the top tier.
Crusaders, with their Irish Cup final at the start of May to come, went with pretty much a full-strength team as they look to continue their momentum ahead of their meeting with Ballymena United.
It was Larne who began strongly, however, and they broke the deadlock with just 12 minutes on the clock.
After a quick throw-in, Micheal Glynn swung in an inviting cross on the left flank and the ball was met by Andy Ryan, who got across his man, to poke home at the front post from three yards out.
Larne did well in possession as the half wore on, but the closest they came to adding to their lead was Ryan’s shot from distance on 27 minutes.
The game took a feisty turn after this, however, with a yellow card apiece for Glynn and Gary Thompson, for the home side, after late challenges.
On 38 minutes, Larne went from having a goal advantage to also now having a man advantage when BJ Burns received his marching orders.
An innocuous foul from Philip Lowry on Fuad Sule led to a coming together of players and Burns received his marching orders for appearing to throw the ball towards Shaun Want.
Shortly afterwards, Paul Heatley was withdrawn after getting a stern talking to from referee Christopher Morrison, for fear he could also put his Cup final place at risk.
Home boss Stephen Baxter shuffled his pack at half-time and the home side took the game to their visitors, despite being a man down.
Jordan Forsythe headed over when well-placed from a corner on 53 minutes as they went close to an equaliser.
Despite building pressure from set-pieces, it was Larne who swept to a second of the night.
A quick break saw Leroy Millar released on the left flank and he squared the ball inside for Lee Bonis to fire home from 12 yards out for his third goal in as many games.
If there were any, it helped to calm nerves from the visitors, with a large contingent of away fans in fine voices knowing the title was all but confirmed.
After that it was all about managing the game, which Larne did well, to claim their 32nd clean sheet of the season.
Crusaders: Tuffey, Burns, Hegarty, Lowry, Lecky (45 mins, Owens),, Ebbe, Forsythe (68 mins, Stewart) Larmour, Thompson (45 mins, Clarke), Heatley (40 mins, Caddell), McKeown
Subs: Murphy, Weir, Winchester
Larne: Ferguson, Want (59 mins, Watson) Sule (85 mins, Randall), Bonis, Donnelly, Bolger, Thomson (68 mins, Gordon), Millar, Glynn (68 mins, Kelly), Cosgrove, Ryan (85 mins, O’Neill)
Subs: Pardington, Maguire
Referee: Christopher Morrison