Northern Ireland Football League chief executive Gerard Lawlor says criticism in the wake of Larne’s 4-1 defeat by Shamrock Rovers was “over the top”.
The Premiership champions were easily beaten by their League of Ireland opponents in the north v south encounter in the Uefa Conference League.
Larne are the first side from Northern Ireland to qualify for the league or group phase of a major European competition.
“Larne didn’t have a great game, they didn’t play well and maybe the occasion got to them,” said Lawlor.
“Some of the criticism of Larne as a club and us as a league after it was unfair.”
Larne started the campaign with a 3-0 defeat by Molde and the Rovers setback was followed by losing 2-1 to St Gallen on Thursday night.
“Shamrock Rovers started their [European] journey 13 years ago. I think we have to keep up with that and try to develop.