Larne retaining title would feel sweeter than maiden joy: Rohan Ferguson

Rohan Ferguson is hoping to savour back-to-back title success with Larne

Larne goalkeeper Rohan Ferguson feels that title glory this year would be even sweeter than last season.

Linfield old boy Ferguson is now fighting for the side who smashed the Blues’ title dominance in the 2022/23 season.

The Invermen were crowned Irish League champions for the first time in their history in 2023 and they became the scalp that every opponent wanted.

It’s often said that retaining a championship is harder that winning the first one and Tiernan Lynch’s side have certainly had to dig deep this campaign.

In the early period of the season they had to adapt to several injuries and by November their title dream was dangling by a thread.

Eight points adrift of a resurgent Linfield, that gap would have been 11 points had the Blues triumphed at Windsor Park.

But former Airdrieonians keeper Ferguson and his team-mates bounced back off the ropes in impressive fashion.

When Joel Cooper struck the opener, the visitors’ character and resilience was tested but they fought back to claim a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Mark Randall and Joe Thomson.

Linfield have been reeled in and their 2-2 draw at Glenavon on Saturday allowed the champions to climb to the summit.

But there remains little margin for error with the Blues a point behind and Cliftonville three back from the leaders.

It’s a tense race with all three sides capable of finishing on top.

“There’s only three points between third and first so it’s tight,” said Ferguson. “All we wanted from the start of the season was to be in the hunt for the title and we are still in the running.

“I have faith in the squad we have but any of the three teams can win it and it’s very close. It’s set up for a