Carrick Rangers 2-1 Larne: 11 Apr 1998
Debut boy Martin Burrows got the crucial goal as Carrick recorded their
first home win since November.
The bustling defender, promoted from the reserves, found the target with a
downward header 19 minutes from time.
A swirling wind made for difficult playing conditions and it took 21 minutes
for the home side to mount their first attack, but when they did, Carrick
scored.
Midfielder Colin Bell split the visitors' defence with a precise pass for
Mervyn Pattison to toe-poke past Graham McConnell.
Larne should have been level almost immediately. Lowry and Looney combined
to good effect on the flank and the latter's cutback landed invitingly for
Tom McCourt, but the former Rangers striker blazed over under pressure from
Ian Maitland.
Terry Taylor was sent off when he followed a bookable offence - for a
challenge on Colin Bell - with a heavy tackle on Maitland.
Larne emerged without the influential Lowry after the interval and were soon
in trouble. Derek Johnston's quick free kick caught them napping but Neil
Campbell miscued a rushed attempt.
That stirred a more determined response from the visitors who enjoyed a
greater share of possession but Smith was alert to the danger nicking the
ball on one occasion off substitute Shane McQuillan's toe.
Carrick made it 2-0 when Burrows rose at the far post to head home in the
71st minute.
Matthew Bartholomew triggered a late rally when he converted for Larne eight
minutes from time.
Team: McConnell, Craig, O'Hagan, Muldoon, Bartholomew, Taylor, Looney,
Lowry, McCourt, McMahon, McDowell subs: McQuillan, McCormick, Solomon
Referee: Frank McDonald (Newry)
League table 
Larne 0 - 6 Newry: 14 Apr 1998
A John Kenny hat-trick helped Newry Town to a convincing win over a poor
Larne side at Inver Park.
The visitors took the lead after just seven minutes. Dessie Gorman's free
kick was pushed out by Paul Miskelly, the ball was returned by Paul Evans to
provide John Kenny with a simple tap-in.
The visitors extended their advantage after 24 minutes. Evans was again the
provider this time getting to the by-line before crossing to the unmarked
Gorman to score.
Two minutes before the break came the goal of the match. Myler crossed to
the right for Gorman. The Hawk appeared to have lost control but turned
quickly before sending the neatest of chips over Miskelly into the net.
Newry went four up after 51 minutes. Kenny sprinted down the right and his
cross was met by the unmarked Peebles whose powerful header gave the keeper
no chance.
On the hour it was five. A quick flowing move saw Kenny play a one-two with
Gorman before crashing a low drive into the corner of the net.
Newry sent all three subs on for the last 20 minutes and it was Trevor Smith
who provided Kenny with the pass to complete his hat-trick seven minutes
from time.
Team: Miskelly, Craig, O'Hagan, Muldoon, Bartholomew, McMahon, Looney,
Loughlin, McCourt, McQuillan, McDowell subs: McCormick, Elder
Referee: Alan Snoddy (Carryduff)
League table
Ballyclare Comrades 2 - 0 Larne : 18 Apr 1998
Larne began brightly but it was Comrades who came closest to scoring in the
early stages, Stuart Doyle screwing a shot wide of the post after a mistake
by the visitors' defence.
Two minutes later, former Comrades player John Muldoon tested Damien
McCusker with a free kick from just outside the box.
Muldoon came to his side's rescue at the other end on the half hour,
whipping the ball off Crawford McCrae's toe as the striker prepared to pull
the trigger.
McCrae should have done better four minutes before the break when he whipped
the ball across the goal-mouth after John Martin had created the opening.
Larne winger Peter Lowry was sent off for dissent on the stroke of half-time
immediately after being booked for a foul on Jamesie Kirk.
And his boss, Frankie Parks, was subsequently ordered out of the dugout for
protesting about the decision.
Brian Martin almost edged Comrades in front three minutes after the break
with a left foot volley which flashed just over.
But four minutes later McCrae made no mistake with a firm header from a Mark
Picking corner, taking his goal tally to thirty for the season.
And the same player extended Ballyclare's lead with his second goal on 73
minutes when he slammed the ball home from close range after Doyle's
overhead kick fell fortuitously into his path.
Team: Miskelly, Craig, O'Hagan, Muldoon, McKinstry, Taylor, McMahon, Lowry,
McCourt, McQuillan, Hill subs: Looney, McCormick, McDowell
Referee: Davy Malcolm (Bangor)
League table
Larne 2 - 2 Dunganon Swifts: 25 Apr 1998
A freak late goal by defender Mark Gracey completed a stirring comeback by
Dungannon at Larne this afternoon and in the process the Swifts also
consolidated a top half finish to their first season in the senior game.
The home outfit moved in front through Tom McCourt when the former Glentoran
striker converted with ease at the near post following Kevin O'Hagan's
corner from the left.
McCourt attempted to turn supplier eight minutes later with a clever knock
on for Shane McQuillan but the latter's close range header was wide of the
target.
Dungannon's troubles mounted when they lost hard-working midfielder Gary
Duke following a hefty clash with McQuillan.
The Inver side extended their lead on 17 minutes with O'Hagan's crisp
20-yard drive whizzing low into the bottom right-hand corner beyond Gavin
Cushley's despairing lunge.
Frankie Parkes' men however retained the upper hand and Cushley had to be
alert to deal with McQuillan's angled attempt within the 18 yard box
approaching the half hour mark.
Swifts came out fighting after the break and it required an acrobatic stop
by Paul Miskelly to prevent Devine's flashing header from finding the target
in the 51st minute.
But there was nothing Miskelly could do to prevent Gary McKinstry from
scoring with a point blank header four minutes later, after the industrious
Jim Robinson had done the spade work on the right.
Then came that stunning equaliser from Gracey, a long range effort which
bounced over the unfortunate Miskelly three minutes from time.
Team: Miskelly, Hill, O'Hagan, Muldoon, McKinstry, Taylor, Looney,
McMahon,
McQuillan, McCourt, McDowell subs: Craig, Bartholomew, Baxter
Referee: Michael Ross (Carrickfergus)
League table
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