Larne manager has publicly criticised the Northern Ireland Football League (NIFL) and Coleraine after his side’s Premiership fixture at the Showgrounds in Coleraine was not postponed following Larne’s late exit from European competition.
Manager says players faced gruelling return and short recovery
The complaint centres on Larne’s 2-1 extra-time defeat to Georgian side Iberia 1999 in the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round on Tuesday, a tie that extended to 120 minutes and, according to the manager, involved a lengthy return journey.
Speaking on Larne’s social media platforms, the manager said he could not understand why the league had not intervened to move the Premiership meeting with Coleraine, adding that his players faced an "eight hour journey back" after the European tie and would then be required to play at The Showgrounds on Saturday.
"I can't for the life of me understand how our league hasn't been able to step in and move this game to the side,"
Under NIFL rules, postponement requires agreement from both clubs. Coleraine did not agree to Larne’s request to move the fixture, meaning the match is scheduled to go ahead as planned.
European ambitions and fixture congestion
The manager argued the condensed schedule threatened Larne’s ability to give their strongest side for the European run, which he said would also be of benefit to the league as a whole by helping to secure an additional European slot.
He pointed to the wider context of fixture management in other countries, saying the Georgian FA had cancelled two domestic fixtures for Iberia 1999 to help them prepare for Europe. He said Larne had sought similar consideration so their players could be "fresh for the games in Europe" and to protect the club’s chances of qualifying for the Conference League.
- Issue: Larne wanted the Premiership game at Coleraine postponed after Europa League extra-time exit.
- Response: Coleraine did not agree to the postponement; under NIFL rules both clubs must consent for a change.
- Consequences: Larne face a compressed schedule including an away European first leg on 20 August.
Manager warns of consequences for league and season structure
In his remarks, the manager warned of knock-on effects for the domestic campaign, citing the league’s split into top six and bottom six as a point of potential disruption should fixture congestion and European commitments go unaddressed.
He said:
"That's all we're asking for... is an opportunity to put our best foot forward and give ourselves the chance of not just securing Conference League for ourselves, but to guarantee the league the four spaces."
The manager also said he felt the club was not receiving the support it deserved in these circumstances.
| Fixture | Date / Detail |
|---|---|
| Europa League exit (Iberia 1999) | Tuesday — 2-1 defeat after extra-time; match lasted 120 minutes |
| Premiership — Coleraine v Larne | Saturday — scheduled at the Showgrounds (Ballycastle Road) |
| Conference League first leg | Thursday 20 August — Larne to play away (opponent: loser of Lincoln Red Imps v Omonia) |
NIFL has been approached for comment regarding the request to move the fixture and the application of its rules. Coleraine’s position — that it would not agree to a postponement — is reported in relation to the requirement for mutual consent.
The clash at the Showgrounds pits last season’s top two teams against each other and is widely anticipated locally; both clubs are expected to contend for senior honours this season. Residents and supporters in Coleraine can expect a keenly contested fixture on Saturday despite the debate over scheduling that has preceded it.
