LARNE’S Tennent’s Irish Cup journey begins on Saturday (3pm) when Premiership side Newry City come to Inver Park.
It will be the first outing of 2019 for Tiernan Lynch’s men, and two of his new signings will be available for selection.
Midfielder Lee Lynch and striker Benny Ingiehon are now eligible, should the manager choose to bring them in.
Lee finished the League of Ireland campaign with Sligo in November and has been training with his new team-mates for a fortnight.
Benny has been at Inver Park since the beginning of September, but only became eligible to play once the January window opened earlier this week.
The 25-year-old was most recently at Boston United in the National League, before crossing the Irish sea.
“The transfer window has opened now and that allows us to get Benny in the door,” Tiernan Lynch said.
“He gives us that presence up front and a physical size, which is a different dimension for us.
“We were also delighted to bring Lee in. He attracted interest from a number of clubs, from the League of Ireland and Irish League.
“It is important we bring in the right type of player and right type of person, and we believe Lee fits the bill on both counts.”
One player who won’t feature in the cup tie against Darren Mullen’s men is Fuad Sule, as the midfielder will be suspended after picking up a red card in the 2-0 defeat against Carrick on Saturday.
Last season, the Invermen made it to the semi-finals of the Cup, before losing 2-0 to eventual winners Coleraine at a packed Ballymena Showgrounds.
It has been evenly matched between the two sides who will go head-to-head for a place in the last 16, with a win apiece in last season’s league meetings.
Supporters arrangements
With Saturday’s match being a Tennent’s Irish Cup tie, all passes (including Larne Youth, VIP and Season Tickets) will not be valid. Admission is £10 for adults and £5 for concessions.
Segregation will be place, with Newry City fans required to enter the ground via the turnstile at the Church end of the ground, just off the Inver Road.
A large crowd is anticipated, and fans are asked to make their way into the ground early to avoid long queues.
