Ballymena Showgrounds
Cliftonville
Coleraine
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© Stephen Hamilton/PressEye
Larne Champions 2023/2024
Founded in 1889, Larne are the fourth oldest club in the Sports Direct Premiership and the oldest outside Belfast.
Early successes saw the club claim the IFA Junior Cup at the turn of the century, in addition to victories in the Steel & Sons Cup and Intermediate Cup before the outbreak of WW1.
The club were admitted to the Irish League in time for the 1923/24 campaign, finishing eighth out of ten teams. A third place finish followed a couple of seasons after that, and then a first Irish Cup final appearance in 1928 with another seven years later.
Larne dropped into intermediate football after the Second World War, a move that heralded a successful couple of decades for the club.
A first senior trophy - the Ulster Cup - was claimed in 1950, as well as a couple of 'B' Division titles and further Steel & Sons and Intermediate Cup successes. The club was even more prolific during the 1960s and into the early 70s, finishing top of the table eight times in nine years in addition to continued cup triumphs.
Larne returned to senior football in 1972 and, following a period of consolation, began to establish themselves in the top flight.
The following decade saw the club reach another couple of Irish Cup finals, challenge in the top half of the table and lift the Ulster Cup for a second time in 1987.
Unfortunately the club were relegated in 1995, not to return again until the 2003/04 campaign for a few seasons before another drop to the second tier whereupon they stayed until lifting the Championship title in 2018/19.
By this stage ownership had been assumed by Kenny Bruce who began to invest in all aspects of the club, on and off the pitch.
Success slowly, but steadily, followed. The County Antrim Shield was won for the first time in 2020/21 (and has been each season since then) and improving league positions brought a first ever qualification for Europe during which the club won four of their six games against sides from Wales, Denmark and Portugal.
However, the crowning glory came in April 2023 when the club secured their first ever Premiership title amid jubilant scenes around Inver Park and the town itself.
