Summary

  • Linfield 1-1 Larne (FT)

  • Andy Ryan equalises after Leroy Millar scores own goal

  • Larne all but champions after 1-1 draw at Windsor Park.

  • Linfield trail Leaders Larne by three points but leaders have far superior goal difference

  • Larne aiming to win back-to back Irish Premiership titles

  1. The final whistlepublished at 22:10 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Well, that's all for tonight and it's party time in Larne as they are champions in all but name.

    With a goal difference of 17 in their favour, Larne's lead is unassailable no matter what happens on the final day on Saturday.

    You can read Lauren McCann's report from Windsor Park here, and keep an eye out on the BBC Sport website for highlights and reaction.

    Congratulations to Larne, commiserations to Linfield.

    See you on Saturday for the final day.

    Larne celebrate at full timeImage source, Pacemaker
  2. 'We want to stay here'published at 22:04 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Here's more from Larne manager Tiernan Lynch: "They are a phenomenal group of boys and they work really hard Monday-Friday. A big thing for us this year was our bounce back ability. We probably lacked that in the past where we took longer to get over things or felt sorry for ourselves. You seen a real hunger in their eyes.

    "We lost to Cliftonville in the Irish Cup semi-final and then on the Tuesday night (again against Cliftonville) I thought we were magnificent. That's great credit to this team and everyone involved with the club. This is where we want to be. We wanted to make sure it wasn't a one off. We want to stay here, and it won't be easy but this is where we want to be."

  3. Devine named permanent Glens managerpublished at 22:01 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Some breaking news from across Belfast.

    Declan Devine will be in charge at the Oval next season.

    We'll have more shortly on the BBC Sport website.

    Declan Devine appointed Glentoran managerImage source, Press Eye
  4. 'I'm delighted' - Lynchpublished at 21:59 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Larne manager Tiernan Lynch: "I'm delighted. We probably saved our worst for last, that was a long 96 minutes. We just never got going.

    "I don't know whether it was nerves, I can't put my finger on it, but it doesn't matter at this stage. Thankfully we get to bring it home again and I couldn't be more proud of them."

    On starting the season as champions: "I didn't feel a different type of pressure but I felt teams came differently against us. We knew there was going to be a target on our back and we knew that Larne would be the scalp.

    "We started a bit rocky in the season and it took us a little bit of time to get going, but when we did I thought we were magnificent."

  5. 'We came back bigger and stronger'published at 21:53 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Andy Ryan, Larne goalscorer: "It's good, it's been a tough night tonight. Fair play to Linfield, they were up for it but we managed to get the point in the end.

    On his goalscoring season: "I've enjoyed it. I always say you play your best football when you're happy. It's a great group of boys and we're all in it together.

    On the team spirit: "We've a really good squad here. We all push each other every single day in training. You could see tonight that there is a never-say-die attitude. We could easily have crumbled under that pressure but we've come out for a point.

    "When we won the league last year a lot of people had written us off, but we've come back bigger and stronger and hopefully we can do the same next year."

  6. Postpublished at 21:47 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    David Jeffrey
    Former Larne, Linfield & Ballymena manager on BBC Two NI

    It is really difficult to win a league, and having been there, it's even harder to go and retain it. Massive credit to Tiernan Lynch and his backroom team.

  7. Postpublished at 21:44 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Lauren McCann
    BBC Sport NI at Windsor Park

    Larne are jubilant, Linfield are dejected.

    The Blues gave it their all, but Larne stood tall and held on for the draw that all but ensures the Gibson Cup stays at Inver Park.

    The away section is bouncing now, with chants of 'championes' ringing out.

  8. 'A heavyweight boxing match'published at 21:43 British Summer Time 22 April

    FT: Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Philip Lowry
    Crusaders midfielder on BBC iPlayer

    Tonight proved why these two have been the best two teams this season. It was like a heavyweight boxing match at times. The best team always win the league and that has been Larne this season.

  9. FULL-TIMEpublished at 21:40 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Larne all but secure back-to-back Irish Premiership titles as they draw 1-1 with Linfield.

    Leroy Millar's own goal broke the deadlock before Andy Ryan's penalty on the 35th minute levelled the game.

    The Inver Reds face Coleraine on the final day of the season at Inver Park and have a three point and 17 goal advantage.

    Linfield celebrate their goalImage source, Pacemaker
  10. Postpublished at 21:40 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Kirk Millar's free-kick is cleared.

    Linfield do gain possession once again, but Jordan Stewart's effort is wide.

  11. YELLOW CARDpublished at 21:38 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Ro-Shaun Williams is cautioned deep into stoppage time.

    Linfield have a free-kick and Chris Johns is up...

  12. Postpublished at 21:34 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Six minutes of additional time...

    Will we see another goal?

  13. Postpublished at 21:31 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    This could have been game, set and match...but Chris Johns came up with a big save.

    Media caption,

    Watch: Lee Bonis comes close to sealing the title

  14. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:30 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    David Healy makes another change and introduces Rhys Annett for Chris McKee.

  15. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 21:28 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Ethan McGee is replaced by Ethan Devine for the final five minutes of the game.

  16. CLOSE!published at 21:27 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    What a chance for the home side!

    Kirk Millar's free-kick falls to Chris McKee, whose strike is narrowly wide of the left hand post.

  17. SUBSTITUTIONSpublished at 21:25 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Both managers make a double substitution with Aodhan Doherty and Jordan Stewart replacing Joel Cooper and Braiden Graham.

    Meanwhile Daniel Kearns and Paul O'Neill are on for Jaziel Orozco and Andy Ryan for the visitors.

  18. Postpublished at 21:23 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Philip Lowry
    Crusaders midfielder on BBC iPlayer

    Huge, huge moment in this game. He opts for the chip and Chris Johns does well. It's a good save. It's a huge chance and a big let-off.

  19. CLOSE!published at 21:23 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Lee Bonis connects with a slack back pass by Chris Shields and, under pressure from Ben Hall, tries to lob the ball over Chris Johns.

    However, the Linfield stopper does well and gathers the resulting strike.

  20. CLOSE!published at 21:17 British Summer Time 22 April

    Linfield 1-1 Larne

    Lee Bonis looks to have travelled passed Chris Johns, but the Linfield stopper does well to rectify the mistake and Bonis brings down Johns in the process of trying to get the ball back to give the home side a free-kick.

    I'm sure the Linfield fans are breathing a huge sigh of relief.