Champions Larne seal promotion to NI’s top flight

Larne seal the Championship title and earn promotion to the Irish Premiership. Credit: Pacemaker

Larne Football Club has earned promotion to the Irish Premiership for next season, after sealing the Championship title.

The side, under manager Tiernan Lynch, have dominated their division and Saturday’s 3-0 win over Ballinamallard at Inver Park only cemented a rise to the top flight that had surely become inevitable.

Celebrations for Larne after Saturday's game at Inver Park. Credit: Pacemaker

Larne have been enjoying the fruits of significant investment from hometown owner and Purple Bricks founder Kenny Bruce.

However, those close to the club say the resurgence is about more than finances and that the team’s successes have galvanised the local community.

Larne were the runaway leaders of the Championship, topping the table by 20 points. Credit: Pacemaker

Goals from top scorers Marty Donnelly and David McDaid, and one from Ben Tilney just before half-time, put Larne three goals up by the break on Saturday.

They went on to shut out the Mallards in the second half, with the result sparking celebrations for both a win on the day and promotion.

Larne have topped the Championship table by a 20-point margin, securing the title with several weeks to go.