Larne secured first place in the Irish Cup semi-finals to keep their hopes of an Irish Premier League and Irish Cup double alive after Rohan Ferguson made three saves in the penalty shootout against Glentoran.
Cammy Palmer gave Glentoran the lead before half-time before Andy Ryan equalized for Gary Haveron’s side in the 76th minute.
advertise
MJ Camson-Kamara was then sent off in the 87th minute after a second callable yellow card and no one could find the winner in extra time, with Crikey Gallagher’s penalty proving to be Larne’s winner.
On Saturday, defending champions Dungannon Swifts take on Championship side H&W Welders, Limavady United take on local rivals Coleraine and Loughgall welcome last year’s runners-up Cliftonville.
Larne’s dream of first Irish Cup title continues
Of the few chances in the first half, Andy Ryan was most likely to break the deadlock for the visitors, forcing Andrew Mills into a smart save on the right midway through the first half.
advertise
Just when the two sides looked evenly matched at halftime, the deadlock was broken in first-half stoppage time.
A clever move from Glentoran saw Pat Hoban set up Palmer with a lovely flick, the midfielder taking a touch and returning the ball across the goal to the bottom corner where Rohan Ferguson held on.
The Glen’s second-half recovery was very similar to the first, full of real intensity and fight but failing to create any meaningful clear-cut chances.
Inver Reds equalized through Ryan with 15 minutes remaining, when substitute Conor McKendry found Ryan with a pinpoint square ball inside the six-yard box, which he leveled from a few yards out.
advertise
Just minutes before the game officially ended, the home side were reduced to 10 men when Camson Kamara was sent to the shower early for his second foul.
Larne were determined to prove their one-man advantage in extra time but failed to find a winner, meaning penalties would decide the Irish Cup quarter-final outcome.
Ferguson was Larne’s hero, saving three penalties to help the Inver Reds reach the semi-finals.