IPSWICH, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: Kieran McKenna, Head Coach of Ipswich Town, celebrates following the team's victory during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Ipswich Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Portman Road on September 26, 2023 in Ipswich, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
English duo Ipswich Town and Hull City among admirers of exciting Larne prospect
Larne’s rising star Sean Brown is among the Irish League’s most promising prospects attracting interest from cross-channel clubs.
Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich Town and Championship side Hull City are among the English sides impressed with the young defender’s development.
Brown has returned to the Premiership champions after a productive loan spell at Ballymena United, whom he helped retain their place in the top-flight.
The 19-year-old full-back is highly rated at Inver Park and his progress is being monitored by cross-channel scouts.
After progressing through the club’s scholarship programme, Brown penned professional terms, and in January 2024, Larne confirmed the gifted teenager had signed a one-year contract extension until the end of the 2024/25 season.
The Academy graduate produced a Man of the Match performance on his senior debut in a County Antrim Shield tie with Knockbreda back in 2022.
He has played for Northern Ireland at different age groups, including the Under-19s.
Brown also featured in the Northern Ireland Super Cup squad that faced Manchester United in a series of exhibition games.
After agreeing his first professional deal with Larne, the defender expressed his pride, telling the club: “The dream to play football full-time started as a child when I would play football in the streets.
“As I got older, I spent time at Celtic Boys, Cliftonville and then Glentoran, but it was Larne’s ambition as a full-time club that meant I couldn’t say no to joining the scholarship programme.”
Brown has also benefited from a loan spell at Championship side Bangor.
Larne boss Tiernan Lynch has spoken of his hopes for Brown, saying: “We see Sean as a young player with great potential having come through our scholarship programme, and we want to give him the best possible chance to continue his growth and development.”
