Danske Bank Premiership Uefa Europa Conference League play-off final: Larne 3 Glentoran 2 (aet)
LARNE came from 2-0 down to snatch a 4-2 extra-time victory in a dramatic play-off final at the Oval.
Conor McMenamin headed Glentoran into a ninth-minute lead after poor defending by Larne as Rory Donnelly was given two opportunities to cross into the six-yard box. McMenamin was able to climb above the Larne defence to head past Rohan Ferguson. The ’keeper got a hand on it, but couldn't keep it out.
It stayed 1-0 until it was third time lucky for Jay Donnelly after the break as he guided the ball wide of Ferguson and into the corner of the Larne net after being perfectly played in by Shay McCartan's slide rule pass.
Glentoran looked to have one foot in European football until Larne earned a penalty and the Glens were reduced to 10 men as Patrick McClean was adjudged to have pulled McDaid's jersey in the penalty area. Ronan Hale converted at the second time of asking after Aaron McCarey had blocked his initial spot-kick.
Less than 10 minutes later, Larne had another penalty after McCarey barged into Davy McDaid. Hale then sent the Glens ’keeper the wrong way to level the game.
The sides couldn’t be separated in normal time and it was Hale who got a hat-trick off the bench as his hanging shot somehow bounced into the corner of the net in the 100th minute. Larne then capped victory with Hale scoring one of the most remarkable goals of the season. With Gl McCarey up for a corner as the home side chased a last-gasp equaliser, the ball broke to Hale just outside his own penalty area and he proceeded the thump it all the way into the Glentoran net from fully 80 yards.
