Larne and Shamrock Rovers go head to head in a high-profile Irish border fixture in the Conference League on Thursday evening.
The game has been moved to Windsor Park in Belfast courtesy of Larne's Inver Park ground not being suitable for European competition, particularly a match of this profile.
Match preview
© Imago
Although Larne have been making progress in their efforts to qualify for the main stages of a European competition since 2021-22, it was a huge surprise that it was achieved this time around.
Ballkani and Lincoln Red Imps were overcome to earn a place in this tournament, reward for winning the last two Northern Irish top-flight crowns.
The downside for Larne is that they missed out on a glamour tie with the likes of Chelsea, with Fiorentina and Real Betis being their biggest continental test
at a home meeting with Gent.
Nevertheless, on the back of losing 3-0 in Norway against Molde, Tiernan Lynch's side get the chance to record a famous win over Shamrock Rovers from Ireland.
This is the first-ever competitive meeting between the sides, and Larne need something like this to kick-start their campaign as they sit down in eighth place in the NIFL Premiership standings, albeit with three matches in hand.
They have also failed to win either of their last two league games at a time when Shamrock have prevailed in their most recent two League of Ireland contests.
Rovers now sit two points adrift of the leaders with two matches remaining, finishing as high as possible domestically arguably being prioritised over the Conference League.
That said, on the back of a 1-1 draw with APOEL, Stephen Bradley knows that his team will be halfway towards qualification if they can prevail in Belfast.
With Welsh side The New Saints and Premier League giants Chelsea still to come, the Hoops have really fallen on their feet with regards to the schedule, but there is a real opportunity to go deep in the main stages of a European competition for the first time in their history.
Team News
Conor McKendry is suspended for Larne after his late sending off against Molde, that potentially leading to a recall for Benji Magee.
The versatile attacker will be hoping for an opportunity in the Larne XI having come off the substitutes' bench to net the equaliser against Crusaders.
Paul O'Neill would likely drop out of the team if that comes to fruition, while Cian Bolger is an alternative to Shaun Want in the middle of the backline.
Aaron Donnelly missed out at the weekend with an ankle injury and the centre-back will continue to be assessed.
Meanwhile, Trevor Clarke and Rory Gaffney are both pushing for returns to the Shamrock squad after their respective injuries.
However, Bradley may be prepared to select the same side that battled their way to a 1-0 win at Drogheda United last Friday.
Larne possible starting lineup:
Ferguson; Cosgrove, Want, Todd, Ives; Graham, Thomson, Gallagher, Magee; Ryan, O'Neill
Shamrock Rovers possible starting lineup:
Pohls; Lopes, Cleary, Grace; Burns, O'Neill, Watts, Farrugia; Byrne, Mandroiu; McNulty
We say: Larne 1-2 Shamrock Rovers
Given the atmosphere that will be produced on Thursday evening, we expect it to close the gap when it comes to the quality in each side. Nevertheless, Shamrock should still be able to get the job done, giving them a foothold in their bid to qualify for the last 24.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
