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Conference wrap: Larne in command, Brighton draw

Updated / Thursday, 20 Aug 2026 20:59

![Paul O'Neill of Larne and Michele Nardi of Tre Fiori compete for the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 First Qualifying Round second leg match between Larne and Tre Fiori at Inver Park on July 14, 2026 in Larne, Northern Ireland.](https://www.rte.ie/images/0024df90-800.jpg)

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Paul O'Neill opened the scoring for Larne

**Larne** took a big step towards the league phase of the UEFA Conference League after a 2-0 win at 10-man Lincoln Red Imps.

The first leg of the final play-off round looked set to finish goalless in Gibraltar after Red Imps had held firm following Yussef Flalhi's 29th-minute red-card.

However, visiting Larne made their pressure pay when Paul O’Neill struck with five minutes left before fellow substitute Kevin O’Hara’s stoppage-time breakaway goal ensured Gary Haveron’s side will have a cushion ahead of the second leg at Inver Park next Thursday.

**Brighton** had to settle for a goalless draw from the first leg of their play-off away to Tromso in Norway.

The Seagulls, who finished eighth in the Premier League last season and open the new domestic campaign against Aston Villa on Sunday, created several good chances but could not find a way past Tromso keeper Jakob Haugaard.

Winger Ibrahim Osman – making his Brighton debut following three loan spells away – looked particularly lively during the first half, while Yasin Ayari also later forced another decent stop from Haugaard.

Tromso almost snatched a late winner on the break, but defender Isak Vadebu sent his shot wide as the tie went into next week's second leg at The Amex Stadium all square.

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