Larne ‘courage’ key for Tomas Cosgrove

The right-back displayed impressive composure in the Crues penalty area to net the decisive goal at Inver Park and leave Larne sitting second in the early-season Danske Bank Premiership standings off a well-earned 2-1 win.

Cosgrove popped up all across the pitch, covering essentially every area from his starting spot to left wing, as Larne’s full-time focus on the training field led to another high-stakes success.

Only current leaders and defending champions Linfield can match the Inver Park outfit’s unbeaten start and Cosgrove counts courage as key to the continued progress enjoyed by Larne.

“Against Crusaders on Saturday you could see the courage and bravery from our players,” said the 27-year-old defender. “Sometimes it can come in for criticism, playing out from the backline and it can lead to mistakes.

“But we continue to have faith in how we work, each other and that the approach plays to our strengths.

“Albert Watson and Josh Robinson may not have been used to that style of play before coming here but you can see both have adapted to it as centre-backs.

“Goalkeeper Conor Devlin is brilliant at the back with the ball and there’s total trust all across the pitch.

“When anyone is under pressure we know someone will be on hand as an option.

“That bravery and faith allows us to play with fluidity and make decisions in the moment to best suit the situation.

“That’s why at times I could go from right-back to left-wing if I think it can help.

“I’ve been able to set up a goal that way in the past and I know there will be someone else coming in to cover.

“Right-back can be a difficult scenario sometimes as you need the balance of course between looking to help the team going forward but your own defensive responsibilities.

“But that’s the essence of the Irish League, those head-to-head battles across the pitch with me trying to force my opponent on the backfoot and him doing the same.

“Until we get the job done in terms of winning the big prizes I know the criticism over how we play will continue to be it’s easy on the eye but may not result in trophies.

“But, looking around the teams, I think there’s more football played now than before and it’s good for the fans and the Irish League.

“Last season our results against other top-six sides seemed to be a monkey on the back of Larne, so confidence can only build this time from getting big wins.”

Cosgrove’s goal extended the lead provided by a clinical David McDaid strike and Larne worked hard to protect the slender advantage until the final whistle after Declan Caddell managed to capitalise on a lapse at the back and cut the Crues’ deficit.

McDaid’s movement to find space behind the Crues backline before slotting home then a role in combining with Martin Donnelly leading to Cosgrove tucking away a second for Larne served as rewards for the hard yards away from the spotlight by the team carving out the consistency through commitment under manager Tiernan Lynch.

“I played before at Cliftonville with Davy and Marty and that helps on the pitch,” said Cosgrove. “Naturally, Marty and I always seem to look for each other and you could see that in the goal against Crusaders.

“Davy had already scored with a great finish and then I was able to score.

“It’s been that long between goals in the Premiership for me but I have scored in cup ties for Larne and during the Championship.

“I love assists and always look for a player in a better position.”

Cosgrove has had a first-hand perspective of Larne’s rise under the investment of Kenny Bruce, having left his boyhood club Cliftonville in 2018 to help bring Championship glory to Inver Park and a pathway back into the Premiership.

The run of 132 games between Danske Bank Premiership goals for Cosgrove, as confirmed by statistician Marshall Gillespie, covers time at Cliftonville and subsequent forward momentum in Larne colours.

“I’ve loved every minute since coming to Larne and to be around as the feelgood factor has increased is great,” said Cosgrove. “You can see the improvement in the facilities and the crowds grow and what it means to people around the town.

“I love how our job is beyond that of just playing and we get out into the community helping out with delivering food during lockdown, turning on Christmas tree lights or visiting schools.

“There’s a great team spirit but also a great club spirit and sense of playing for the community.

“I’ve known Tiernan since I was 16 or 17 years old, I lived a few minutes’ walk from Cliftonville and would go to all the games as a fan.

“Then I was picked off trials and played under Tiernan and Seamus Lynch at Cliftonville Strollers.

“Tiernan hasn’t really changed from those days, he’s calm and doesn’t really shout often but instead points out where you are going wrong and need to improve.

“He cares about his players and has a real belief in the work we do and how the whole week is working towards something.

“It’s been a good start to the season and important, after back-to-back draws away to Glentoran and Warrenpoint, for a return to winning games.”

Larne: Devlin, Watson, Robinson, Herron (Hughes, 82), Sule, Randall, McDaid, Donnelly, Lynch (Wade Slater, 92), Cosgrove, Jarvis.

Subs (not used): C Mitchell), Kelly, Hale, A.Mitchell, Murr.

Crusaders: O’Neill, Burns (Kennedy, 73), Hegarty, Wilson, Lowry, McGonigle, Forsythe, Lecky (Caddell, 68), Owens (Ruddy, 53), Thompson, Clarke.

Subs (not used): Doherty, Hale, Cushley, O’Rourke.

referee: Shane Andrews

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