Soccer

Title win is vindication for Larne skipper Tomas Cosgrove

Larne players celebrate after their 2-0 win over Crusaders at Seaview on Friday night, a result which sealed their first Irish League title in their 134-year history Picture: Pacemaker
Larne players celebrate after their 2-0 win over Crusaders at Seaview on Friday night, a result which sealed their first Irish League title in their 134-year history Picture: Pacemaker
By Ian Cahoon

LARNE’S historic title win at the weekend has been hailed as a personal vindication for both owner Kenny Bruce and manager Tiernan Lynch. 

However, there is someone else who takes immense satisfaction knowing they made the right decision at the beginning of the journey the Inver Park club has been on in the last five years. 

In the summer of 2018, Tomas Cosgrove left boyhood club Cliftonville, where he enjoyed incredible success which included two league titles, League Cups and County Antrim Shields galore, to join Larne.

Many questioned if he made the right move, leaving one of the best teams in the country for one which hadn’t even got out of the Championship by that stage. 

On Friday, however, the now Larne captain will be lifting the Gibson Cup and he sees it as validation for the decision taken almost five years ago. 

“You always have people giving their opinions when you move or things happen," he said.

“You’re in the wrong, you’ve been called a mercenary and this and that. 

“I’ve proved all the doubters wrong and we’ve done what we set out to achieve. 

“Kenny has always said he wanted the Champions League music played at Inver Park and he’s going to get his wish. 

“We’re delighted to do it for him and all of the people who volunteer and work so hard behind the scenes.” 

Cosgrove (30) is suspended for Friday’s game at home to Linfield and he joked that he may have to replicate the now famous Champions League trophy lift for Chelsea in 2012. 

“I might have to do a John Terry!” he laughed. 

“I got my fifth yellow card against Crusaders so I’m suspended for Friday’s game. If people see me in a full kit with no shinguards they’ll know why! 

“No, I’m just delighted. I’ve always said I wanted to be the first Larne captain to lift the Gibson Cup and I can’t wait to do it. 

“Tiernan kept telling me that I’d be the first if we can achieve it and that was a big motivation. No-one will be able to take it away from me now.” 

Cosgrove also revealed he received a special message from his former captain George McMullan ahead of claiming the 2-0 win over Crusaders on Friday which clinched the title, the first in Larne's 134-year history.

“It was actually 10 years and a day since I won it the first time with Cliftonville,” Cosgrove added. 

“I got a message from George McMullan before the Crusaders game to say ‘this is your time’ and it was great to get a message like that.

“Others sent similar messages and I really appreciated it."

Larne went to Seaview on Friday knowing a point would be enough to see them over the line. 

However, goals from Andy Ryan and Lee Bonis, either side of a red card for BJ Burns, saw Larne clinch the title in style. 

“We discussed it beforehand and agreed you can’t come to Seaview and sit in for 90 minutes,” he added. 

“They’re a great team and they play to their strengths and it’s hard to defend against. 

“They have some giants and they gave us some real scares. The sending off probably helped and we managed to win the game, which we’re really pleased about.”