With all of the excitement of European football again this summer, it is easy to forget that the return of domestic action is imminent. The newly-christened Sports Direct NIFL Premiership returned this weekend and the Inver Reds are back in action with the visit of Dungannon Swifts on Monday night in front of the Sky Sports cameras.
It has been a busy summer both on and off the pitch but the last time we were all together for a competitive men’s match at Inver Park was the most historic in the club’s history – the night the trophy was lifted after the 1-1 draw with Linfield back in April. I think I can speak for everyone when I say it will be great to be back at Inver.
Day one of the season is always special when everyone goes into it level on zero points with a blank canvas and a whole lot of hopes, dreams and aspirations. I think it is pretty simple what Tiernan Lynch’s sides’ aspirations are and that is to defend the Gibson Cup and, of course, the County Antrim Shield which has taken up residence on the Inver Road for the past three years – it’s about time it starts paying rent!
Last season was an historic one and this year will be too as it is the first time that Larne will be playing a season as defending champions and, as clichéd as it may be, they will have a big target on their backs all season long as everyone will be gunning to knock them off their perch.
Andy Ryan joined in January of this year but the Scottish striker hit the ground running so quickly and settled so well both on and off the pitch that it feels like he has been at Inver Park for a lot longer. The former Hamilton Accies man knows teams will be out to get them this year:
“We were so good defensively and structurally last season as well but we know teams will be coming after us this year. It is more important than ever to deal with the pressure and win as many games as we can.”
The number 29 also spoke on the importance of not looking back too much:
“Last year was fantastic but we can’t dwell on that and have to keep pushing forward. Personally, I just want to contribute any way I can. Whether that is goals, assists or hard work, I will do everything I can to make this team successful again.”
Ryan’s partnership with Lee Bonis in the second half of the season was a key factor in pushing the club over the line for that first Gibson Cup and it came as a massive boost over the summer when both of them committed their futures to the club. This is despite rumours of interest from other clubs both on this island and in England and Scotland.
The nature of success for most clubs in football is suitors come sniffing around your best players and this summer was no different for Larne but having that Ryan and Bonis tandem up front for the foreseeable future is massive for the club and bad news for the rest of the league.
Behind those two, there is a crowded and high-quality picture in midfield but one man who has staked his claim through pre-season and Europe is Dylan Sloan. The 20 year-old spent the second half of last year on loan at Newry City and returned looking motivated and hungry to be a key man in this year’s side.
The scholarship graduate started every game in the European campaign and has made it nigh on impossible for Tiernan Lynch to drop him from his starting XI for the season opener and beyond. Speaking on a personal level, Sloan spoke of his hopes for the new domestic season:
“I want to be more involved in the starting side this season and hold down the place that the gaffer has given me this summer. I feel like I have taken my chance and performed well so hopefully I can contribute to more success this season.”
The number 25 also echoed Ryan’s comments about the team this season:
“We know that everyone else is trying to knock us off our perch. It will be tough this year as there are many good quality teams who will be trying to push on and take the title but that is what makes it exciting. We just want to win as many trophies as we can.”
As well as the attacking firepower and quality in the middle of the park, Larne’s defence last season was lights out. Rohan Ferguson won the Golden Glove for most clean sheets but the Scottish shot-stopper will be the first to tell you that it was a team effort.
The three who were in front of him for most of the season were Cian Bolger, Shaun Want and Aaron Donnelly and while all three are here again this year, Ali Omar and Craig Farqhuar have joined from Torquay United and Ballymena United respectively to bolster Tiernan Lynch’s options at the back. They come in after the departures of long-standing reliable defenders Graham Kelly and Albert Watson.
Elsewhere, the club pulled off a major coup by prizing Cliftonville captain and servant Levi Ives away from Solitude and have brought in full back Jaziel Orozco from Real Salt Lake of Major League Soccer. These are in addition to captain Tomas Cosgrove and Michael Glynn who were so good on the flanks last year.
Aidan Dowling has arrived from Blackburn Rovers to give Rohan Ferguson competition between the sticks after Jamie Pardington’s departure. Corey Smith has been one of the most exciting young talents in the league over the past couple of years and has come on board to get the Inver Park faithful out of their seats while Isaac Westendorf adds even further to the attacking options after joining from Newcastle United.
It has not just been the entrance door that has been revolving this summer with some notable departures too. Fuad Sule moves on after anchoring the midfield for more than four seasons and will meet his former teammates in week two as the Inver Reds visit his new employers Glentoran on Friday 11th August.
Max Hutchison and BJ Banda played their part in last year’s title success and have both moved on to Finn Harps while Randy Wolters has also left the East Antrim coast at the expiration of his contract.
We are on the eve of another exciting season of NIFL Premiership football and it feels like Christmas Eve to so many! Here’s to another rollercoaster year of following the Larne boys at Inver Park and up and down the country.
Written by Mark Strange.
Tickets for our season opener against Dungannon Swifts at Inver Park remain available and can be purchased at www.larnefc.com/tickets.
