My Invermen know there’s still plenty of work to be done: Lynch

LARNE boss Tiernan Lynch insists there is “still plenty to do” if they are to keep the Gibson Cup at Inver Park after a dramatic victory away to Glentoran on Tuesday.

An unfortunate own goal from young defender Johnny Russell gave Larne a 2-1 victory deep in stoppage time.

Almost simultaneously, Coleraine found a late, late Matthew Shevlin goal to make it 2-2 against Linfield at Windsor Park.

A combination of both goals ensured Larne went from potentially one point behind in second place to three points clear of the Blues heading into the final two games of the Premiership season.

Next up is a heavyweight clash between the two title contenders at Windsor Park on Monday night.

While there were scenes of celebration between players and fans at the end, Lynch knows the task of retaining their title is not over yet.

“We probably got carried away with ourselves a bit in the emotion of it all,” Lynch said.

“It was such an emotional night and end to the game, it’s probably to be expected that the emotion comes out.

“However, we know the task ahead of us going into each of these last two games and there’s plenty for us still to do.

“It’s now time to dust ourselves down and get to work, because it’s three points (won at The Oval) and that’s all it is.

“We need to recover well and make sure we are prepared for Monday.”

Reflecting on the drama which unfolded before him on Tuesday, Lynch added: “It was the highs and lows of football in the space of 30 seconds.

“It probably wasn’t a great football performance from us. In the second half we maybe chased it a bit, and lost our calmness and composure.

“However, as I said to the players afterwards, they got their reward for never giving up.

“We had that belief and I think if we had lost that belief and desire then the last-minute goal wouldn’t have happened.”

The first own goal of the night, Cian Bolger’s sliced clearance which looped over his own goalkeeper, looked to have ensured the points would be shared as Glentoran aim to build momentum in their push for a European place. Had that been the case, Lynch admits he would have felt for his skipper, who was returning from injury.

“I felt sorry for Cian because he was probably three-quarters fit and made sure he played,” he added. “If we had have drawn 1-1 with an own goal of that nature it would have been hugely disappointing for everyone.

“He put the ball in the box for the goal right at the end, so it was nice for him on a personal level.

“We kept believing and we just needed something to fall for us.

“Sometimes they do and sometimes they don’t, thankfully they did on Tuesday.”

Larne also boast a superior goal difference on top of their three-point advantage, but defeat at Windsor Park on Monday would see the title tension rise further ahead of the last round of fixtures.