Coleraine produced one of the away performances of the Northern Ireland Premier League season so far, defeating Larne FC 3-2 at Inver Park on 17 October 2026 after a dramatic late winner settled a five-goal thriller.

Larne FC went into the game with home advantage and the expectation of pressing their case near the top of the table, but Coleraine’s clinical counter-attacking football and set-piece quality proved decisive. The visitors twice led, were pegged back by a resilient Larne side, and then found the winning moment in the closing stages to take all three points back to the Showgrounds.

Match Overview

The contest was open from the first whistle. Larne looked to dominate possession through their midfield triangle, while Coleraine sat compact and looked to spring forward through the wide areas. That early pattern produced chances at both ends, but it was Coleraine who struck first when Matthew Shevlin punished a loose ball in the Larne box.

Larne responded well and equalised through Andy Ryan, whose movement between the centre-backs caused problems all evening. The home crowd sensed a turnaround, but Coleraine regained the lead after the break when Jamie Glackin arrived late in the box to finish a flowing move. Larne again found an answer, with Lee Bonis scoring a powerful header, before Conor McKendry won it for Coleraine with a composed finish in the 89th minute.

Key Moments

• 14th minute – Coleraine 1-0: Matthew Shevlin reacted quickest to a half-cleared corner, steering a low shot past the Larne goalkeeper from the edge of the six-yard box.
• 31st minute – Larne 1-1: Andy Ryan timed his run perfectly to meet a driven cross and flicked the ball into the far corner.
• 54th minute – Coleraine 2-1: Jamie Glackin finished off a sweeping counter-attack after Coleraine turned defence into attack in three passes.
• 78th minute – Larne 2-2: Lee Bonis rose highest from a corner and thumped a header into the net to raise the volume at Inver Park.
• 89th minute – Coleraine 3-2: Conor McKendry cut inside from the right and curled a left-footed effort beyond the goalkeeper to seal the win.

Tactical Story

Larne’s 4-3-3 shape gave them control of the ball for long spells, but Coleraine’s 4-2-3-1 defensive block was disciplined and difficult to break down. The visitors conceded territory willingly at times, trusting their midfield pair to screen the space in front of the back four. That allowed Coleraine to launch quick transitions, especially when Larne’s full-backs pushed high.

The decisive tactical battle came in wide areas. Larne created overloads on the flanks but left themselves exposed to counter-attacks, and Coleraine’s front four were ruthless in exploiting those gaps. Set pieces were also a major factor: two of Coleraine’s three goals came from situations where Larne failed to clear their lines convincingly.

Standout Players

Conor McKendry was Coleraine’s match-winner, not only for his late goal but for his constant threat on the break. Matthew Shevlin led the line with intelligence, while Jamie Glackin’s energy in midfield gave Coleraine a platform to counter. In defence, the visitors’ centre-back pairing absorbed heavy pressure in the final 20 minutes.

For Larne, Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis both impressed in attack, combining for the two goals and causing repeated problems in the air. Their goalkeeper made several important saves to keep the score level before McKendry’s late strike, but Larne will be frustrated by the manner in which they conceded the winning goal.

What It Means

The result gives Coleraine a significant boost in the Northern Ireland Premier League standings and strengthens their reputation as one of the most dangerous away sides in the division. For Larne FC, it is a missed opportunity on home soil, especially after twice fighting back to level the score.

The head-to-head record between these two clubs has often produced tight, competitive matches, and this five-goal encounter added another memorable chapter. Coleraine will take confidence from their ruthlessness in front of goal, while Larne will focus on tightening up the defensive details that cost them at least a point.