soccer

Carrick beat Larne as Coleraine closes gap

League leaders Larne suffer their third consecutive defeat as Carrick Rangers win 3-2, while Coleraine's victory reduces the gap at the top to just two points.

Carrick Rangers recorded a significant victory over league leaders Larne with a 3-2 win at Inver Park. The visitors took control with goals from Danny Gibson, Joe Crowe, and Paul Heatley before halftime, establishing a commanding 3-0 lead. Larne responded with second-half goals from Tiarnan O'Connor and a late Dan Bent effort, but couldn't complete a comeback.

Meanwhile, Coleraine maintained their challenge for the title with a 1-0 win against Ballymena United at the Coleraine Showgrounds. Will Patching's first-half goal was enough to secure the victory and bring the champions-elect within two points of Larne at the top of the Irish Premiership table.