Ballymena United continued in the party mood at the Showgrounds when main club sponsor and director, Norman McBurney, presented the players with their First Division championship medals. Manager Alan Fraser described the presentation as 'the icing on the cake' and it didn't take United long to demonstrate their recipe for title success with an incisive move in the first minute of action. A long sweeping ball from right back John Smyth found Philip Knell in an onside position but the former Linfield player's glancing header was directed wide of the upright. Larne keeper David Hastings cleared bravely at the feet of Dessie Loughery in the 15th minute but two minutes later he could only watch in dismay as United's striker Ciaran Feehan was given a free header from five yards. A right wing cross from Smyth held in the blustery conditions and Feehan made no mistake as he rose to score his 13th goal of the season. Feehan had a chance to add to his tally in the 22nd minute when he latched onto a Stephen Stewart cross, but his shot was saved by the legs of Hastings. The same United marksman also just failed to convert a delicate Loughery cross 10 minutes from half-time - his header looping wide of the target. Ballymena's domination continued in the second half and Des Loughery almost increased the lead three minutes after the break but his close range snap shot from a Peter Murray corner hit the side netting. A Stewart free kick in the 57th minute also had the Larne defence creaking but Feehan's reaction header from seven yards was saved by Hastings at full stretch. Fifteen minutes from time, substitute Barry Patton, who replaced Knell, almost doubled the score but his rasping volley was deflected wide for a corner by centre-half Graham Mellon. Larne, who introduced David McCormick, Liam Smyth and player manager Harry McConkey to the fray in the second half, conceded a second goal three minutes from time when Feehan connected with a Jason Gilmore cross to plant his header into the roof of the net. Larne's only meaningful effort of the game came in the dying moments when left back, Kevin O'Hagan, hit a long range free kick just over the bar.
Team: Hastings, G.Smyth, O'Hagan, Mellon, McKinstry, Hill, Looney, Lowry, Patton, McMahon, Johnston subs: McCormick, L.Smyth, McConkey
A great Eamon Kavanagh-John Crilly double act blasted Omagh into next year's premiership. Kavanagh supplied the crosses for both goals, the first blasted in by his skipper Crilly and the second headed home by little Martin Mooney after Crilly had taken the original free-kick. Town suffered an early set-back when inspirational striker Michael McHugh failed to shake off a stomach injury and had to take a seat on the bench. The excellent McMahon then had a fierce 25-yard drive headed clear by Kevin Moore. Omagh's response was swift. Big Barry McCreadie was hauled down and as Eamonn Kavanagh's free-kick was hoofed clear John Crilly pounced with a speculative low shot from the edge of the area, the ball curling wickedly at the last minute inside the far post. McMahon was proving a hot handful for the home rearguard and one sparkling header brought an equally splendid stop from Crossan at full stretch. Larne opened in spectactular fashion after the break but could find no way past an inspired Crossan. The keeper was at his best to take McMahon's scorching drive under his bar and then hold on to Davy Patton's crashing effort from 16 yards. But Town broke out to score a goal straight from the training ground. A sweetly rehearsed free-kick move came off to perfection as Mooney stopped to convert with Kavanagh's pinpoint cross after Crilly had released him behind the wall with a reverse pass.
Team: Hastings, Mellon, Lowry. Johnston, McKinstry, McDowell, Looney, Hill, Patton, McMahon, McCormick subs: McConkey, L.Smyth, G.Smyth
Referee: David Chambers (Belfast)
First Division
Ballyclare Comrades 2-2 Ballymena United, Bangor 1-0 Carrick Rangers, Distillery 0-1 Newry Town.
Premier
Cliftonville 2-0 Glenavon, Coleraine 1-1 Linfield, Glentoran 2-0 Ards, Portadown 1-0 Crusaders
Final Standings 96/97
P W D L F A PTS
1. Crusaders ........... 28 12 10 6 39 27 46
2. Coleraine ........... 28 10 13 5 37 31 43
3. Glentoran ........... 28 10 11 7 36 30 41
4. Portadown ........... 28 10 8 10 36 32 38
5. Linfield ............ 28 10 8 10 36 34 38
6. Glenavon ............ 28 8 11 9 35 34 35
7. Cliftonville ........ 28 7 9 12 23 38 30
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8. Ards ................ 28 5 9 14 33 50 25
(Ards relegated)
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