So, who are Shamrock Rovers’ Conference League opponents Larne?

Special Guest, Michal Zewlakow draws Larne FC during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase Draw at Grimaldi Forum on August 30, 2024 in Monaco.

Special Guest, Michal Zewlakow draws Larne FC during the UEFA Conference League 2024/25 League Phase Draw at Grimaldi Forum on August 30, 2024 in Monaco. Credit: Photo by Claudio Lavenia - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Who are Larne?

Larne are the Northern Irish champions having been title winners on two occasions – claiming back-to-back title triumphs in the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons. 

They are competing in the Conference League group stages for the first time having become the first ever Irish League outfit to qualify for this stage of European competition in August. 

The Inver Reds have also won the Co Antrim Shield four times and won the NIFL Charity Shield earlier this year. They lost their Conference League opener away to Molde 3-0, more on that later…

Where will Thursday’s game be played?

Larne usually play their league games out of their Inver Park home, which has the capacity to hold just 3,000 spectators.

However, that ground does not suffice for this round of European competition so the tie will be played at the National Football Stadium in Belfast - also known as Windsor Park.

Windsor has the capacity to hold 18,500 supporters - though just 6,000 fans are expected at the venue with 1,600 from the Hoops.

Who is Larne’s manager? 



Their manager is Tiernan Lynch and he was a man in demand as recently as last month when Scottish top-flight outfit St Johnstone tried to poach him.

However, talks broke down which led to Lynch staying at Inver Park and continuing his journey in charge of the Irish League champions.

He has been at the helm since July 2017 having previously served as Glentoran’s assistant manager. 

To date, he has led Larne to two Irish League titles, four Co Antrim Shield successes, the NIFL Championship and the NIFL Charity Shield.

What European pedigree do they have?

Larne are relative newcomers on the European circuit but have established themselves as regular Northern Irish participants there since local businessman Kenny Bruce took charge of the club in 2018. 



Bruce is the owner of UK-based online estate agent Purplebricks.

His shrewd investment saw the club qualify for Europe for the very first time in 2021 and they won their first tie there against Welsh side Bala Town 2-0 on aggregate.

They then caused a stir when dumping out Danish side AGF Aarhus 3-2 on aggregate before eventually losing to Portuguese side Paços de Ferreira. 

However, they fell to a shock defeat against Gibraltarians St Joseph’s a year later, while their spell in Europe last year was just as humbling - losing to Finns HJK Helsinki 3-2 on aggregate before suffering a nightmare 7-1 two-legged loss against Kosovo side Ballkani.

This year however saw a rapid change in fortunes. 

Despite losing 7-0 on aggregate to Latvians RFS in the first round of the Champions League qualifiers, a penalty shootout win over Ballkani in the third qualifying round of the Conference League handed them a shot at the group stages against Gibraltar side Lincoln Red Imps - which they won to advance.

They lost their Conference League opener 3-0 away to Molde though finished the game with ten men after Ryan McKendry was dismissed in the second half.

They are currently ranked at 280 in the UEFA standings with Shamrock Rovers at 151.

Who to watch out for?

Compared to other sides that Rovers have played this year in Europe, there are far less household names in the Larne squad.

But there are a number of former League of Ireland players within their ranks - such as former Derry City duo Sam Todd and Jordan McEneff.

Todd is on loan at Inver Park from the Candystripes until January while McEneff - brother of Hoops midfielder Aaron - joined Larne permanently in August. 

Meanwhile, striker Andy Ryan is also a threat having scored four goals already this season in the Irish League. The Scotsman, 30, was most recently lining out with Hamilton in Scotland prior to his move to the Irish League.

Fellow hitman Paul O’Neill is also on their books and links up well with Ryan.

What are their recent results?

The Northern Irish champions have endured a patchy start to their league season and currently lie eighth in the table on 15 points from nine games.

Though they have played three matches less than leaders Linfield due to their European commitments.

They have however not won their last two domestic games, losing 3-0 against Dungannon Swifts and drawing 1-1 versus Declan Devine’s Glentoran.

But it has been in Europe where they have broken most ground. 

A penalty shootout win over Ballkani in the third qualifying round of the Conference League handed them a shot at the group stages against Gibraltar side Lincoln Red Imps - which they won to advance.

But they lost their Conference League opener 3-0 away to Molde though finished the game with ten men after Ryan McKendry was dismissed in the second half.

McKendry - a key man - will now miss the clash against Rovers as a result of his dismissal.

Who is the referee in charge of this game?

Greek referee Vassilis Fotias has the whistle for this one.

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