Football

Shaun Want insists Larne’s focus is now on defending league title as they prepare to facing Cliftonville

Sports Direct Premiership: Larne v Cliftonville (Friday, 7.4pm)

Pacemaker Press 27-10-24
Portadown v Larne - Sports Direct Premiership
Larne's Shaun Want and Portadown's Ahu Obhakhan during today's game at Shamrock Park, Portadown.  Photo by David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press
Portadown v Larne Larne's Shaun Want says the team's focus is now getting points on the board in the Sports Direct Premiership after their European campaign say them fall behind in the title race (David Maginnis/David Maginnis/Pacemaker Press)

Larne have turned their full focus to defending their league title now that their European odyssey has come to an end, says defender Shaun Want.

The Invermen finished a tough Conference League group stage schedule on a high with a win over Gent last month.

Larne were also knocked out of the Irish Cup last weekend, losing 1-0 to Championship side Limavady United after extra time.

Sports Direct Premiership leaders Linfield have a 19-point lead over the reigning champions, presenting Larne with a daunting task even with five games in hand.

Gary Haveron’s team bounced back on Tuesday night with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Crusaders at Seaview and Want says the aim now is to build on that victory tonight at Inver Park.

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Fifth-placed Cliftonville are the opponents and boast the league’s top scorer Joe Gormley at their disposal, a man who needs no introduction according to Want.

“I’ve played against Joe a couple of times, it’s no secret how good he is”, said the 27-year-old Larne centre-half.

“He’s an Irish League legend and the amount of goals he has scored shows that.

“Like any team in the league, Cliftonville will be tough opposition, they have options upfront so we’ll analyse them, look at their strengths and weaknesses and be ready for them.



“I think now that we’re out of Europe there’s a big push to get as many points on the board in the league as possible.

“We know results in the league have been disappointing and our standards have dropped in the league but we know as a team and as a group we’re better than what we’ve shown.

“We’re confident we can show what we’re made of and get more points on the board.

“I know there are many games to come but we’ll just take it one game at a time.”

Cliftonville Joe Gormley celebrates his goal        In Today’s game at Solitude Cliftonville v Glentoran    in the Sports Direct premiership 

Desmond Loughery Pacemaker press
Larne's Shaun Want knows he will have his hands full with Joe Gormley on Friday night (DESMOND LOUGHERY/Desmond loughery Pacemaker press)

After winning a second successive title last year, Larne began this season way back in July and lost manager Tiarnan Lynch to Derry City before Christmas.

The games will continue to come thick and fast but Want says he is coping admirably with the schedule after having a problem injury sorted out.

“Last season wasn’t the best for me, I was out injured for a period of seven months.

“I had a problem with my quad for probably three years but I had surgery and got it fixed and I feel as good as I have done for years.

“This season I’ve played a lot of games and right now this is the best I’ve felt in quite a few years.

“It has been enjoyable, it’s been constant and it’s been a slog at times, but as a football player you’d be complaining if you didn’t have any games.

“I’d rather play than train, and the Gaffer will probably tell you that. I’m maybe not the best trainer, I prefer playing to training.

“At the same time, the journey in Europe was brilliant, it’s something we as players will never forget, it was some experience.

“But that’s behind us now, we can forget about it and focus on our bread and butter, which is the league.”