It doesn’t take too distant a vintage of supporter to recall when there was little to split Bangor and Larne. Two outfits each with distinguished histories that amount to almost 240 years combined, backed up by a silverware haul that, particularly at the intermediate level, would leave little space for more in the cabinet, clashes between the two below the top-flight more often than not, be it at Clandeboye or Inver Park, evoke fond memories on both sides.
The present day, though, sees a playing field that has not been experienced just yet. The Seasiders, who have suffered two relegations and achieved a couple of promotions since their last trip to the venue by the harbour, face a team that is the reigning Irish League champion for the first time – and that have integrated a highly successful full-time model into their plan of operations during the last half a dozen years. Lee Feeney and his yellow and blue battlers know the task ahead is massive, but then so, too, is the squad’s belief.
Mammoth hurdle against holders for Seasiders in bid to reach Shield last-four
A lot has changed in 12 years.
Christmas Eve, 2011. Bangor beat Larne in the Steel and Sons Cup Final; Gareth McLaughlin and Garth Scates convert for Frankie Wilson’s boys in yellow and blue, the memorable scenes of delight at an early gift from the big red man easily contrastable with dejection from the red corner.
October 10, 2023. Bangor travel to Larne in the County Antrim Shield quarter-finals; the latter have won each of the last three iterations of the competition and are firmly in the hunt for a fourth in succession.
History lesson:
Bangor had not been to Inver Park in eight years prior to this Tuesday’s fixture, but that will be all change when they take on a Larne team that are reigning Irish League champions for the first time in their history. Most recently, in a competitive context, the Invermen overcame the Seasiders 5-0 in the Irish Cup in January 2022, when Ronan Hale’s quadruple haul and Andy Scott’s finish did the damage. Image from Sarah Harkness.
Oh, and by the way, they’re Irish League champions and are full-time professional. With a seven-figure financial investment to boot.
Larne’s Gibson Cup-clinching campaign in review (league stats, 2022/23):
- Position – first-place (champions)
- Points – 83 (38 matches played)
- Goals scored – 64
- Goals conceded – 22
- Top scorer – Lee Bonis (15 goals)
- Top assister – Lee Bonis, Leroy Millar (nine assists)
- Clean sheets – 22 (20 Rohan Ferguson, two Jack McIntyre)
Had you told even the most optimistic and believing Larne fan a dozen years back that they would be in this position, you would have expected a quizzical look in return. It was fantasy.
Today, though, they are living their fantasy.
Stat attack:
Larne, founded in 1889, were an established force particularly in the intermediate rungs of the pyramid for much of their history. Now, though, they are firmly at the pinnacle of the domestic game, with five of their seven all-time senior honours achieved since businessman Kenny Bruce took over his home town club in 2017. The entire culture and atmosphere, both physically and mentally, has been changed since the Purplebricks co-founder took the reins, including a complete redevelopment of the ground and training complex and a community ethos that contributed earlier this year to their greatest-ever honour – the Irish League crown and accompanying right to play Champions League football.
This match-up is rekindled in the first competitive clash at Inver Park since before Kenny Bruce took ownership of the Inver Reds.
Bangor have gone through hell and back in that time.
Successive relegations to plummet to the regional reaches in 2017 – the same year Purplebricks co-founder Bruce took over the then-Championship-based east Antrim side – followed by two promotions in the six years that ensued to return to the second-tier in 2023.
So, here we are. An old rivalry, when the seaside meets the harbour, with more of a twist this time around.
| Playr-Fit Championship | Quarter-Finals (10/10/23) | |
| Ards (2) | vs | Glentoran (1) |
| Ballymacash Rangers (3) | vs | Knockbreda (2) |
| Carrick Rangers (1) | vs | Dundela (2) |
| Larne (1) | vs | Bangor (2) |
22 months ago, the chasm could be felt. In January 2022, in the Irish Cup Fifth Round, Larne swept Bangor aside at Clandeboye Park in all truth; Ronan Hale the tormentor-in-chief as he chipped in four of the Invermen’s unresponded five to advance to the last-16.
At that point, the Bangor project still felt like it had leaps and bounds to go.
But, as the two face off once more, the visitors enter on the back of a dual Steel and Sons and Premier Intermediate League piece of glory – both of which they fell short in during 2021-22 – and with wind in their sails, that sensation of riding the crest of a wave.
Last time out, a three-goal haul made up of devilish drives by Jack Henderson, Ben Arthurs and Ben Walker helped boost the Seasiders’ points tally three further. Feeney’s charges are riding high, fifth-placed in the table and a point adrift of the promotion play-off, and with sights on boosting their standing to 20 points as they encounter the basement dwellers Knockbreda at the weekend.
Every bit of momentum helps. Putting in a performance against the current second-positioned occupiers in the Premiership will hardly dent that.
There’s no shortage of confidence, either.
The quotes section:
“It definitely shows that we’re more than capable of being at that level. They (Coleraine) had a very strong team out the other night, and with the way that we performed… yes, were we under the cosh at times? Of course. Were they under the cosh at times? Of course! We went toe-to-toe with them, and I felt of the clear-cut chances, we could’ve nicked the game and I don’t think anyone could’ve had any complaints” – Jack Henderson felt the display against Coleraine last Tuesday proves Bangor can cut it against any opposition. Image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
“It definitely shows that we’re more than capable of being at that level,” said Henderson – whose last appearance for Ballymena was at Larne on St Patrick’s Day – as he reflected on the BetMcLean Cup visit to Coleraine seven days prior when a lengthy venture north saw the Bannsiders pushed the mile to extra-time.
“They (Coleraine) had a very strong team out the other night, and with the way that we performed… yes, were we under the cosh at times? Of course. Were they under the cosh at times? Of course!
“It gave us a lot of confidence; there’s a great buzz around the group and everybody’s going in the right direction”
The trajectory Bangor are headed on has Jack Henderson believing that big things are on the horizon
“We went toe-to-toe with them, and I felt of the clear-cut chances, we could’ve nicked the game and I don’t think anyone could’ve had any complaints.
“It gave us a lot of confidence; there’s a great buzz around the group and everybody’s going in the right direction.”
Walker, who is on loan from Larne and was speaking after savouring a moment he will never forget – his first-ever senior goal, and what a fine strike it was – conveyed a similar sentiment to midfielder Henderson, who himself bagged a beautiful stroked finish for his first Irish League goal since August of last year.
The quotes section:
“It was a tough one to take (that defeat), but it gave us confidence because we went right toe-to-toe with Coleraine, top Premiership side, I feel like we should’ve actually beat them… we were disappointed to come away from it (having lost)” – Ben Walker felt there was an element of hard luck about Bangor’s defeat to Coleraine last Tuesday night in the BetMcLean Cup.
The 18-year-old said: “It was a tough one to take (that defeat), but it gave us confidence because we went right toe-to-toe with Coleraine, top Premiership side, I feel like we should’ve actually beat them… we were disappointed to come away from it (having lost).”
“It was a tough one to take (that defeat), but it gave us confidence because we went right toe-to-toe”
Mentally, Ben Walker felt the standard of performance against Coleraine was a big boost going into the eventual victory over Annagh United
An inner belief within the squad that they can punch above their weight is always a good trait to have at one’s disposal.
Against Annagh, Henderson opened the goal account for the afternoon just before the half-hour with a sweet, swept shot that set on a one-way course for the bottom right corner. As Arthurs doubled the lead nine minutes later with a rasping drive low across the face of goal and in, the two-goal lead felt as if it was in need of a cherry on top – and step forth Walker, who did that and then some with a divine 20-yard free-kick that kissed the underside of the crossbar and nestled in the back of the net.
That resilience to fight back after falling in agonising fashion to Coleraine, who punched their ticket into the BetMcLean Cup Second Round courtesy of one-time Larne recruit Lee Lynch’s distance piledriver at the Ballycastle Road Showgrounds, warmed supporters’ hearts, fuelling the belief that an upset – while it is more in hope than expectation – is not beyond the realms of possibility.
Larne, who will hope to shoot themselves to a return to winning ways following a 1-1 draw last Friday night with Crusaders, will be eager to douse that flame.
Last term was a growth spurt for Tiernan Lynch and his team; albeit they were a competitive institution that had recorded three top-six finishes in each of the preceding three campaigns since their top-flight return, their title glory – while an ongoing project – perhaps arrived sooner than many had anticipated. Not that supporters were complaining.
Man in the hotseat:
The work Tiernan Lynch has done to get Larne to where they are at present – the highest highs in the club’s 134-year history – has been monumental, and it has been rewarded given that he has won five of the seven senior trophies the Inver Reds have achieved in their history. Three County Antrim Shields, the Championship and the cherry on top, the Premiership. Image from Stephen Hamilton/INPHO.
And this season, it is unsurprising that they are continuing to build on that foundation.
The form book (Sports Direct Premiership):
- 15/9/23 – Larne 2-0 Linfield
- 22/9/23 – Larne 4-1 Carrick Rangers
- 26/9/23 – Loughgall 1-0 Larne
- 30/9/23 – Glenavon 4-0 Larne
- 6/10/23 – Larne 1-1 Crusaders
Their full-time status has afforded Lynch and Co access to markets beyond these shores. Such that, in the most recent off-season, even America was a source of talent in reach.
Youngsters Jaziel Orozco and Ilijah Paul both linked up from MLS outfit Real Salt Lake, while one-time Celtic midfielder and 2016 Scottish Premiership title winner Scott Allan was also a name on the shopping list they successfully managed to obtain on loan from Arbroath.
Player to watch:
Traditionally a right-back across a storied career both with Cliftonville and Larne, Tomás Cosgrove was the captain of last year’s historic Premiership triumph that saw him become the only player to win both the first and last editions of the division under Danske Bank’s sponsorship. Indeed, his role has increased in fluidity to the point where he can be seen in positions further infield. Image from Sarah Harkiness.
Throw in former Wigan ace Kieran Lloyd, tall shot-stopper Aidan Dowling, ex-Dungannon Swifts youngster Corey Smith, esteemed Cliftonville vice-captain Levi Ives and Ballymena United duo Craig Farquhar and Sean Graham each crossing the Shanes Hill divide, and you have a strong team that seems only to have gotten stronger – and that’s without even mentioning returning loanee Dylan Sloan’s emergence.
They join the core of a winning team that counts reigning Premiership Player of the Year Leroy Millar, strikers Lee Bonis, Andy Ryan and Paul O’Neill, as well as defenders Tomás Cosgrove, Cian Bolger and Shaun Want among their heart.
It’s like a who’s who!
Quite how many from a deck of cards with more aces in the pack to count that Lynch will select for this fixture will be revealed in the build-up to kick-off.
But Bangor know better than to shy away from the battle.
The season so far:
- 5/8/23 – Ballyclare Comrades 3-2 Bangor (McGrandles OG, McArthur)
- 11/8/23 – Bangor 1-0 Ards (A. Neale)
- 18/8/23 – Bangor 1-2 Dundela (Arthurs)
- 25/8/23 – Portadown 0-1 Bangor (McArthur)
- 2/9/23 – Bangor 1-1 Institute (Francis)
- 5/9/23 – Bangor 4-2 Ballyclare Comrades (Arthurs x4)
- 9/9/23 – Ballinamallard United 0-3 Bangor (Arthurs, Cushnie x2)
- 16/9/23 – Harland and Wolff Welders 0-0 Bangor
- 23/9/23 – Bangor 2-1 Newington (Cushnie, Mathieson)
- 30/9/23 – Dergview 2-1 Bangor (Harrison)
- 3/10/23 – (AET) Coleraine 2-1 Bangor (Arthurs – penalty)
- 7/10/23 – Bangor 3-1 Annagh United (Henderson, Arthurs, Walker)
Arthurs, top scorer for the season with eight and who notched precisely half of that total in the previous round of the Shield – a sensational four-goal haul that underpinned a fighting 4-2 victory over Ballyclare Comrades – may well have found his fire at just the right time as he plundered past Jason Craughwell on Saturday.
Hitting form at the right time:
With two goal-getting displays in Bangor’s defeat to Coleraine, where he slotted home an added-time penalty that forced extra-time, before bagging the second goal in the Seasiders’ 3-1 league victory over Annagh United on Saturday, the influence of Ben Arthurs will be felt should Lee Feeney’s men have hopes of an upset. Image from Gary Carson.
His calmness and composure from the spot, meanwhile, helped force extra-time at the last gasp last Tuesday, while the industry and work-rate of Ben Cushnie and/or Adam Neale next to him have not gone unnoticed by their manager.
A clean bill of health exists in midfield, too, especially given that Karl Devine has made consecutive starts for the first time in eight months.
“Karl sitting there, I think it lets me and Lewis get further forward and get more men in the box”
Jack Henderson was full of praise for the way Karl Devine has acquitted himself in midfield during recent times
The 28-year-old Belfast native joined Henderson and Lewis Harrison as a trio in the centre of the park, cutting the look of a player who is near-factory-new; refreshed after ankle trouble prematurely curtailed his campaign last time out. For the former Dundela mainstay to be firing on all cylinders only serves to boost Feeney’s options, given he is a real engine room when fit, while Henderson joining Harrison on the goal trail hardly knocks things either.
How will all of this fare when going forward against a defence that kept 22 clean sheets in league play alone in 2022-23?
Well, hopefully in the minds of the travelling faithful, it will manifest into goals.
And maybe, just maybe, a knock-out blow for the ages.
Featured image from Jordan Connolly/Life Through A Lens NI.
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