How the Irish Premiership can be won on the final day

By Andy Gray BBC Sport NI Journalist

Three teams, one trophy.

The Irish Premiership title race is going down to the final day and Larne, Coleraine and Glentoran can all still lift the Gibson Cup.

Gary Haveron's Larne side hold a three-point advantage at the top of the table and they take on Dungannon Swifts on Saturday.

But, if they slip up then either Coleraine or Glentoran, who face each other on the north coast, have a chance to capitalise.

So, how can the title be won?

The Irish Premiership title decider

Larne v Dungannon Swifts & Coleraine v Glentoran

Saturday, 25 April at 17:30 BST

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Larne - Pole position for title

There's no doubt about it, Larne are in a strong position to win a third Irish Premiership title in the space of four years.

Haveron's side only need a point against Dungannon Swifts to lift the Gibson Cup at Inver Park.

Friday's goalless draw at Glentoran was a big stride towards the title, as it kept Declan Devine's side at arm's length with a gritty performance at the Oval.

At home and against a Dungannon Swifts side who not only play Coleraine in the Irish Cup final the following week, but have lost eight of their last nine games, Larne will be heavy favourites to get the job done.

However, Rodney McAree's side have already got the better of Larne once this season - a 2-0 win at Stangmore Park in October - while the title challengers edged the other two fixtures between the sides 2-1.

So it has been tight, but the bigger picture could come into play on Saturday, and McAree has indicated he will have to rest some players with one eye on the Irish Cup final with Coleraine the following week.

But Haveron said that the Swifts still pose a threat and are a "very, very good side".

"You always want to have it in your own hands," Haveron said.

"It's obviously been a very, very tight season, and the end of the season will be very tight, and we'll have to go to Inver Park next week and then be right prepared for Dungannon.

"They'll come in at it and pose a real problem for us."

Glentoran - Trying to end 17 years of hurt

Friday's draw for Larne was as significant for Glentoran as it was for Larne.

It was a huge chance for Glentoran to head into the final day of the season at the top of the table, but it was a chance they could not take in front of their home support.

Not only that, but the draw opened the door for Coleraine to move into second place and the automatic European spot.

Glentoran have not won the Irish Premiership title since 2009 and this season felt like a huge opportunity.

Despite slipping to third, they still have an opportunity to end the 17-year wait but it is no longer in their hands.

For Devine's side to win the title they not only need Larne to slip up, but they will need to win at Coleraine to leapfrog both sides into top spot.

The Bannsiders have yet to beat the Glens this season, who have two wins and a draw against Coleraine in the league, as well as a BetMcLean Cup semi-final win at the Oval - but all four games have been tight.

"We are not out of it, we have one more game left in the current campaign to try make sure we get a win," Devine said.

"This league has thrown up a lot of shocks and surprises and crazy results over the years and hopefully we can do our side of the bargain, but Larne are firmly in the driving seat with a home game to go."

Coleraine - a potential double?

Such was the focus on Larne and Glentoran on Friday, Coleraine have almost flown under the radar over the final few weeks of the season.

Given they also beat Larne 4-1 on their own turf earlier in April, we should not be surprised that they are still in the picture.

On the final day, Ruaidhri Higgins' side are in a similar position to Glentoran, and they must hope Larne slip up and then win on the final day to have any hope of a first Irish League title since 1974.

Not only is the league on the line at the Showgrounds, but also automatic European qualification, which is the reward for finishing second in the table.

In the race for second, another thing Coleraine have in their favour is a strong goal difference, which comes after a big win at Linfield in their penultimate fixture.

So, a draw would be enough to secure European qualification ahead of Glentoran, and there is also the small matter of the Irish Cup final the following week.

Coleraine have only dropped eight points at home all season, but three of those came in a 2-1 defeat by Glentoran in September.

"It's a home game and our home form has been exceptional this season," Higgins said.

"It's a big game for both clubs and Larne aren't mathematically champions yet either.

"It will make for an interesting day and I think it is brilliant for the league."