Larne get their hands on Gibson Cup whilst Portadown's relegation is confirmed

Larne's players celebrate lifting the club's first league title
Author: Chris BrennanPublished 22nd Apr 2023
Last updated 22nd Apr 2023

Linfield netted a superb equaliser through Stephen Fallon, but it did not dampen a night of celebration as Larne received the Gibson Cup at a jubilant Inver Park.

Andy Ryan ramped up the party atmosphere when he put the home side in front with a curling finish into the top corner in the first half.

However David Healy's side ensured they would take a point when Fallon found the net in the 69th minute with a wonderful bending effort.

It was a valuable result for the Blues - they are six points clear in second spot as they chase a European spot.

However it was a night for Larne and their fans after they had already sealed the title last week at Seaview.

On Saturday, Portadown's relegation back to the Championship was confirmed when they lost 3-2 at Dungannon Swifts.

Elsewhere Glenavon made it nine games unbeaten as Andrew Doyle, Matthew Fitzpatrick, and Cohen Henderson netted in their 3-1 win at Carrick.

Glentoran saw off Coleraine 3-0 - two from Niall McGinn and one from Terry Devlin keeps the east Belfast men in with a shout of finishing second.

The north Belfast derby ended in a thrilling 3-3 draw between Cliftonville and Crusaders. Paul Heatley fired the visitors ahead at Solitude, before Rory and Ronan Hale put Cliftonville 2-1 to the good.

Jarlaith O'Rourke's superb effort made it 2-2. Joe Gormley's superb effort looked to have sealed the points for Cliftonville, but Paul Heatley scored a dramatic injury-time equaliser.

In the day's other match Ballymena United came away from Newry City with a 2-2 draw.

The point all-but ensures City will play Premiership football again next campaign.