A new lease of life for Tomas Cosgrove as Larne skipper targets European progression
He might have been around the league for well more than a decade – but Larne skipper Tomas Cosgrove shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
The 33-year-old is basking in yet another tough pre-season but one of Larne’s eldest statesmen is enjoying the rigours of getting fit and healthy ahead of the latest challenges on the European and domestic front.
Cosgrove added to his already impressive medal haul last season after the Inver Reds sealed their third Gibson Cup title in the last four years.
However, that success is firmly in the past as Gary Haveron’s boys aim to retain their title and produce even more heroics on the European stage.
"I was going through the last three months of the season with a groin and hip problem...but the physios have worked so good with me,” Cosgrove said,
"When they were meant to be off, they were coming in and we were doing extra stuff behind the scenes.
"When you get a bit pain-free, you're actually buzzing to come back in and you feel so much better.
"Obviously, the runs aren't great, but I was shouting at the other boys saying I was at the front of a line as I blew my load trying to run past everyone.
“The fitness coach was telling them that a ‘34-year-old, can't beat you’ but I reminded him that he was adding on ages.
"But no, it's been good, it's like anything, it's obviously a hard two weeks, and then you're back in playing games which makes it a bit easier.”
Larne are in Charity Shield action on Friday as they host Irish Cup winners Coleraine at Inver Park.
The game will provide good preparation for Larne as they prepare for next week’s Champions League first qualifying round tie against Tre Fiori of San Marino.
Larne are away for the first leg and whilst many have tipped them to progress over two legs – Cosgrove pointed back to previous disappointment in Europe.
"I don't know. I don't know, because both teams will probably say they wanted each other in the draw,” the full-back replied when asked if Larne go into the tie as favourites.
If you're looking at their draw, and we look at our draw, we’ll probably say we wanted them and they'll probably say they wanted us.
"We got St Joseph's before and we thought we should have beat them...but they beat us 1-0 and we left here with egg in our face.
"If you're in Europe, you're going to be a good team. I don't care who you are because you've had to win your league, especially that Champions League one.
“It's up to us to go out there, and show how good we are, and show how good the Irish League is.”
Whilst Cosgrove’s plans for the upcoming season are set in stone – he does have one feat he would like to achieve in the future.
“I want to play as long as I can, at the highest level as I can, because you're a long-time retired,” he stated.
"I said, when I have about a year left, I'll go and play with my brother. He plays at Crumlin Star and I've always said I wanted to go and play with him.”