Four-goal Hale sinks Glentoran as Larne take Euro epic
Last updated 14th May 2022
SUBSTITUTE Ronan Hale notched four goals as Larne came from 2-0 down to snatch victory after extra-time of a tumultuous NIFL Play-Off Final against Glentoran.
Hale found the net in East Belfast on 74, 82, 99 and 121 minutes to seal a 4-2 win.
The game's big moment came with the 74th minute dismissal of Patrick McClean, Hale scoring on the rebound from the penalty which followed.
A second penalty just eight minutes later levelled this absorbing tie after Jay Donnelly had put the Glens in control with a second, following Conor McMenamin's opening effort.
And as if that wasn't enough drama, the fourth Larne goal was a sight as Hale launched the ball from fully 80 yards down the pitch into an unguarded Glentoran net with the home goalkeeper desperately trying to lend a hand in the dying stages in the attacking third.
With the win for Larne, came not only the bragging rights on the pitch, but also a cool £200,000 kitty for UEFA Europa Conference League football.
The visitors were jubilant, but boos echoed around the Oval from the home fans who were far from happy with the outcome.
Glentoran: McCarey, Kane (c), Burns, McCartan (Clucas 62), Marshall, J. Donnelly, R. Donnelly (Crowe 76), McClean, McMenamin (Plum 62), Powers (O'Cnnor 102), Cole.
Subs: Bigirimana, Clucas, O'Connor, Crowe, Cushnie, Plum, Glendinning.
Larne: Ferguson, Balmer, Kelly, Sule (Herron 45), (Herron, Mitchell 112), Randall, Doherty (Jarvis 70), Scott (Hale 53), Lynch (Hughes 45), Bolger, Bonis (McDaid 19), Cosgrove (c).
Subs: Devlin, Herron, Hale, McDaid, Mitchell, Hughes, Jarvis.
Referee: Raymond Crangle