CHAMPIONSHIP 1: Larne 3 Dundela 0

Delighted Inver Park boss Davy McAlinden said: “The scoreline was a fair reflection of the game and, in truth, we could have won by more. I thought early on it was going to be one of those days but we had to believe it would come.

“We kept creating chances and missing them and then Ciaran Murray produced a piece of magic. We knew they would come back at us but everyone on the park did well. We have a lot of ability in the squad and their hard work was rewarded today.”

Larne went ahead on 31 minutes when the in-form Murray ran onto Paul Maguire’s pass and drove a low shot into the net. Despite dominating proceedings, the fans had to wait until the 77th minute for the second but it was worth it when it arrived.

Ross Davison picked out Murray with a 60-yard pass and the striker thumped an unstoppable shot past the keeper.

Murray was also involved in the third goal. He raced clear of the Dundela defence then unselfishly set it on a plate for Thomas Robinson to side-foot into the net.

A trip to The Oval to face Glentoran is next up for Larne in Tuesday night’s County Antrim Shield first-round tie.

“We will check on the wounded after today and go there to give a good account of ourselves, added McAlinden. “We were very limp at Coleraine but we have to go and enjoy ourselves. Ballyclare have beaten Linfield already so you never know.”

Larne: Connolly, Scott, Davison, McClean, Reynolds (Thompson 79), McMullen, Irvine, King (Robinson 75), E.Gillan, Maguire, Murray (McCabe 90). Subs not used: Smyth, G. Gillan.