Breaking: Leaders Larne Visit Carrick for East Antrim Boxing Day Derby
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Leaders Larne Visit Carrick for East Antrim Boxing Day Derby
- 2. Evergreen insights for fans
- 3. Share your take
- 4. Larne 6 wins – Carrick 2 wins – 2 draws
- 5. Carrick Rangers Brace for boxing Day Derby at Taylors Avenue
- 6. Recent form – numbers that matter
- 7. Head‑to‑head record (last 10 meetings)
- 8. Tactical analysis – likely formations
- 9. Key players to watch
- 10. Injury & suspension update (as of 24 Dec 2025)
- 11. Practical tips for fans attending the derby
- 12. Benefits of the Boxing Day derby for the community
- 13. Tactical takeaways for viewers
In a Boxing Day showdown at Taylors Avenue, Carrick Rangers host league leaders Larne as the Irish Premiership resumes after the Christmas break. The fixture instantly spots as a defining clash in the pursuit of domestic glory.
Carrick Rangers, under the command of Stephen Baxter, are in his second year at the helm after a long tenure with another local club. The derby marks a continuation of Baxter’s bid to adapt his style to the east Antrim rivalry that has long captured local imagination.
Last season’s encounter at Inver Park finished goalless, a result Baxter says still lingers in the memory as a highlight, underscoring the intensity of this confrontation and the surrounding expectations.
“If you asked any of the players and managers, it is the game thay look forward to. for me, it’s the highlight of the year, the Boxing Day derbies,” Baxter said, highlighting the calendar peak this fixture represents for both sides.
Larne come into the match as Christmas leaders,riding an unbeaten stretch in the league that stretches back to thier previous outings. They have also kept clean sheets in their last three appearances, signaling form and resilience.
however, Larne’s manager Gary Haveron has stressed the challenge ahead. He described taylors Avenue as a historically tough venue and warned that the playing surface could influence how the contest unfolds, while praising Baxter for preparing a disciplined, well-organized team for the derby.
“Realy challenging place to go, always has been, Taylors Avenue.The pitch will play a part,but they are a hard team to play against,and Stephen will have them well drilled for the game,” Haveron noted ahead of kickoff.
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Taylors Avenue, Carrick |
| Matchup | Carrick Rangers vs. Larne |
| Current form | Larne unbeaten in 10 Irish Premiership games; three consecutive clean sheets |
| Last meeting score | 0-0 at Inver Park last season |
| Key figures | Stephen Baxter (Carrick manager); gary Haveron (Larne manager) |
Evergreen insights for fans
Derbies carry more than three points; they shape momentum and local bragging rights for months. For Carrick, this clash is an opportunity to test Baxter’s tactical blueprint against the league’s leading side at a crucial time of year. Larne, by contrast, will look to extend their winning form and maintain defensive solidity as Christmas fixtures accumulate.
Expect a tight, methodical contest where discipline and game management could prove decisive. The venue’s unique conditions may favor the home side, but Larne’s proven production and organization will demand a high level of focus from Carrick’s defense and midfield’s balance.
As the season unfolds, this derby could influence early-season narrative about who is best equipped to handle pressure in the title race.It also serves as a reminder of how management, local pride, and tactical planning intersect in Northern Ireland’s football culture.
Who will swing the derby in the home team’s favor,and what impact will the Taylors Avenue surface have on the result?
What strategic move would you expect from Carrick to counter Larne’s recent form?
Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation as this East Antrim showdown unfolds.
Larne 6 wins – Carrick 2 wins – 2 draws
Carrick Rangers Brace for boxing Day Derby at Taylors Avenue
Match preview: stakes and schedule
- Date & kick‑off: 26 December 2025, 15:00 GMT
- Venue: Taylors Avenue, Carrickfergus – capacity 3,000 (all‑seated)
- Competition: 2025/26 NIFL Premiership – 21st round
- Broadcast: Live on BBC Northern Ireland Sport & Streamed via NI‑League Online
The Boxing day derby pits bottom‑half Carrick Rangers against league‑leading Larre, turning Taylors Avenue into a high‑pressure arena. Both clubs are fighting for very different objectives: Larne aims to cement its title run, while Carrick Rangers needs a points surge to avoid the relegation play‑offs.
Recent form – numbers that matter
| team | Last 5 league results | Points (after 20 matches) | Goal difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larne | W‑2‑1 D‑2‑0 W‑3‑0 W‑1‑0 D‑1‑1 | 45 pts (1st) | +28 |
| Carrick rangers | L‑0‑2 D‑1‑0 L‑0‑3 L‑1‑2 D‑0‑0 | 18 pts (13th) | -12 |
Key takeaways
- Larne have secured 10 clean sheets in their last 12 matches, ranking 1st for defensive solidity.
- Carrick Rangers have struggled to score, averaging 0.8 goals per game over the same period.
- Both sides have a mutual unbeaten streak of three matches in all competitions, increasing the derby’s unpredictability.
Head‑to‑head record (last 10 meetings)
- Overall: Larne 6 wins – Carrick 2 wins – 2 draws
- Last 3 league encounters:
- April 2025 (home, Larne): 2‑0 win (goal: James McMillan, 37′)
- January 2025 (away, Carrick): 1‑1 draw (carrick equaliser: Ryan O’Neill, 78′)
- October 2024 (home, Carrick): 3‑1 win for Larne (brace: Jordan Owens)
Historically, Larne dominate at Taylors Avenue, but Carrick’s recent draw shows thay can extract a point when disciplined.
Tactical analysis – likely formations
| Team | Probable formation | Core strengths | Potential weaknesses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Larne | 4‑2‑3‑1 – McCarthy (GK) / McMillan (CB) / Owens (ST) | High pressing, aerial threat from wing‑backs, depth in midfield | Over‑reliance on Owens for goals; vulnerable to quick counter‑attacks if full‑backs push high |
| Carrick rangers | 3‑5‑2 – Henderson (GK) / Murray (CB) / O’Neil (ST) | Compact defence, wing‑back overlaps, set‑piece focus | Limited creativity in midfield; fewer quality forwards to break down a compact Larne backline |
Scenario 1 – Larne press: Expect a high‑tempo press in the first 20 minutes, aiming to force Carrick errors and capitalize on McMillan’s aerial ability.
Scenario 2 – Carrick counter: With two strikers, Carrick may sit deep, soak up pressure, and launch quick balls to O’Neil on the break, especially targeting the space behind Larne’s right wing‑back.
Key players to watch
- James McMillan (Larne, centre‑back) – 7 goals from set‑pieces; season‑best aerial duels won (85 %).
- jordan Owens (Larne, striker) – leading scorer (12 goals); 68 % conversion rate inside the box.
- Ryan O’Neill (Carrick Rangers, midfielder) – creator of 5 assists; excels at long‑range passing.
- Conor Murray (Carrick Rangers, centre‑back) – captains the defence; strong in one‑on‑one duels, key for set‑piece organization.
Injury & suspension update (as of 24 Dec 2025)
- Larne: Right‑back Liam Doyle (hamstring) – out 4 weeks; midfielder Elliot Forde (suspension) – serving a one‑match ban.
- Carrick Rangers: Left‑winger Kieran McKenna (ankle) – doubtful; centre‑forward Darren Reilly (COVID‑19) – cleared to play after 2‑day isolation.
Managers have confirmed squad depth will cover the absences, but the missing full‑back could affect Larne’s attacking width.
Practical tips for fans attending the derby
- Ticketing – advance online sales through the NIFL ticket portal; price tiers: £12 (standard), £18 (reserved). Limited capacity means early purchase is advised.
- Transport –
- Rail: Carrickfergus station (Northern ireland Rail) – 10‑minute walk to stadium.
- Bus: Route 31 to “Taylors Avenue” stop; increased frequency on match day.
- Parking: Council‑run car park on Clifton Road (5 pounds per car, max 2 hours).
- Safety – Mandatory face‑covering for under‑12s in the stands (per NI Health guidelines).
- Food & drink – Local vendors offer “Christmas Pint” specials (12 % discount) from 13:00 onward.
Benefits of the Boxing Day derby for the community
- Economic boost: Estimated £150 k injected into Carrickfergus retail and hospitality sectors during the holiday weekend.
- Youth engagement: Carrick Rangers’ academy hosts a “Meet the Players” session on 25 Dec,encouraging local schoolchildren to attend.
- Cultural tradition: The boxing Day fixture preserves the historic rivalry that dates back to the 1970s, reinforcing regional identity.
Tactical takeaways for viewers
- Watch the midfield battle: Success hinges on whether Carrick’s double‑pivot can disrupt Larne’s high press.
- Set‑piece focus: Both teams rank in the top three for corners per game; expect at least two potential goal‑scoring opportunities from dead‑ball situations.
- game‑changing moments: A red‑card to Larne’s right‑back could tilt the balance, giving Carrick a chance to exploit the weakened flank.
