Inver Reds crash out of Irish Cup

To add to their woes, the home side also had James Braniff red-carded after raising his hands late in the first half. It was his first start for the club. The visitors had been in control and the sending off was the death knell for Larne.

The resultant free-kick was lifted in to Raymond Fitzpatrick who, just as he had in the first game, put the ball past Chris Keenan and into the net.

A minute later Larne fell further behind. A clumsy challenge from Keenan earned the visitors a penalty leaving Niall Lavery to convert from 12 yards.

The Reds were left with a mountain to climb when Celtic added a third just before the break. Keenan could only palm away a shot from Lavery, leaving Damien McParland to extend the lead.

Celtic added a fourth on 73 minutes - again from the penalty spot - courtesy of Lavery, after McAllister had fouled Fitzpatrick.

Gary Workman fired home a spectacular consolation a minute later, but it was too little, too late for the well-beaten Reds.

Larne: Keenan, Braniff, J.Moore, W.Wharry, McAllister, Irvine (J. Wharry), McClean (Conlon), Kane, Young (R. Moore), Workman, McNamee. Subs: Donnelly, R. Moore, Conlon, J.Wharry, Koypt.

Lurgan Celtic: Fox, McVeigh, Boyd, Drainey, Donnegan, McAnallen, Lavery, McParland, O’Hara, Fitzpatrick, Haire. Subs: McAvoy, Conway, McCabe, McKavanagh.

Referee: R. Dunlop (Carrick).