'Andy Ryan's an absolute legend' - Larne fans celebrate
Young Larne fan Lily told BBC News NI the atmosphere was 'mental'
- Published
Larne fans have had a night to remember as the Irish Premiership champions became the first Irish League club to progress to the group stages of a European club competition.
A boisterous Inver Park erupted as referee Lukas Fahndrich sounded the full time whistle confirming 10-man Larne's 3-1 victory over the Gibraltar side.
The Inver Reds progress on a 4-3 aggregate score in a game with VAR decisions, a red card and even a hat trick for Larne striker Andy Ryan.
Larne manager Tiernan Lynch described victory as a "utopia for us" to BBC Sport NI's Thomas Kane.
Andy Ryan's hattrick sealed it for Larne
Speaking to BBC News NI after the game, Larne fans were "over the moon".
Young Larne fan Hugo described the experience as ''stressful'' following a red card for Chris Gallagher, but added ''the Larne boys played fantastic and deserved the win.''
Fan Davey said he was ''worried, when they went down to 10 men, they had to work very hard, they thoroughly deserved it.''
When asked about the scenes at full time, he said the fans ''were giving it stacks, they'll be be partying the whole night long.''
Fifty-year wait
Fan Simon Knox said it was the best night ever
''Andy Ryan's an absolute legend,' said Simon Knox, who also told BBC News NI:
''It's been a 50 year wait, the first Irish league team to ever do it, best night ever.
''It was just superb, such a relief, 1-0 down on the night, then we're down to 10 men and then we pulled it out, couldn't be happier.'
''Two penalties, smashed right into the corners, proper amazing, the third goal was fantastic."
Another young fan, Mícheál, said: ''What's the best the Europa can offer? Cole Palmer? We've got Magee.''
''We just can't believe it,'' said Larne fan Donna
The win is "just absolutely brilliant for the town and for everyone, just magical," Donna told BBC News NI.
While fans behind her were chanting: 'We're all going on a European tour!', Donna continued to praise the staff of Larne FC: ''Kenny Bruce, what he has done, what the background staff have done, we just can't believe it.''
The league phase draw for the 2024/25 UEFA Conference League, external will be held on Friday 30 August.