European play-offs final: Larne spurred on by cup hurt - McDaid

David McDaid says the pain of losing last month's Irish Cup final to Linfield was a key motivator for Larne as he hit a double in the European play-off decider win over Cliftonville.

Lee Lynch was also on target in the 3-1 home victory as Larne qualified for Europe for the first time.

"Our whole philosophy was to say the hurt you felt from that game - you're not going to feel that again," he said.

"The boys are in Europe and we are buzzing."

• As it happened: Larne beat Cliftonville to qualify for Europe

The former Reds striker hooked home a first half opener before a superb Daire O'Connor strike levelled it.

Lynch slotted in at the back post to make it 2-1 and McDaid netted the third from close range.

David McDaid scores Larne's opener against Cliftonville on Saturday evening

Larne secure a windfall of over £200,000 after qualifying for Europe for the first in their history.

The 2-1 defeat by the Blues in the Irish Cup final and finishing outside the top three left the play-offs as Larne's only route into Europe.

"We said at the start of the season we wanted Europe - we look the long way about it but got there in the end," added McDaid.

"The bar has to keep going higher and we can't rest on our laurels. This club is going higher and higher each year."

The hosts had to fight all the way in a thrilling encounter to secure a place in the European Conference League as the local football season concluded in fine style.

The game ebbed and flowed with the predatory McDaid doing the damage against his former club in a stand-out performance in front of 500 Larne fans.

It was a tight but high-paced first half hour with Ryan Curran heading over for the Reds before Andrew Mitchell's long-range fizzer was tipped over by Aaron McCarey at the other end.

Larne winger Martin Donnelly - another ex-Red - delivered dangerous set-pieces and John Herron headed against the woodwork from a corner.

The breakthrough on 22 minutes also came from a Donnelly corner with Herron's shot blocked and the ball fell for McDaid to fire in from 10 yards.

Larne midfielder Ronan Hale sent a looping drive just over and was also narrowly off-target with an overhead kick while his brother Rory rifled just wide for the visitors.

Cliftonville raced out of the blocks on the restart and Conor Mitchell saved a low O'Connor strike but he had no chance when the midfielder tried his luck again on 59 minutes.

O'Connor worked his way into space almost 30 yards out before unleashing a wonderful shot which arrowed straight into the top corner.

Delight for Cliftonville's Daire O'Connor after scoring the goal of the game at Inver Park

It was a deserved equaliser but the Reds were behind again five minutes later when McDaid flashed the ball across goal to find Lynch steaming in to steer home.

McDaid was then denied by McCarey and a last-ditch Jamie Harney block but the forward was to make it 3-1 with a simple finish 10 minutes from time after Harney diverted Mark Randall's cross into his path.

Mitchell had to make a good save from Reds substitute Michael McCrudden before the celebrations started on a memorable day for Larne.