From the second tier to making history on European nights, Tomas Cosgrove has seen it all in his eight years at Larne.On Saturday, they need just one point on the final day of the season against Dungannon Swifts to win the Irish Premiership for the third time in four years. From when he signed in 2018, Cosgrove has been on the journey with the club as they progressed into one of the Irish League's big hitters. But, after losing their crown to Linfield after back-to-back titles, they have flown under the radar in the current campaign."No one spoke about us at the start of the season," Cosgrove said after Larne's goalless draw with Glentoran, which put them on the brink of the title."We were meant to finish fifth, I think, and everyone was talking about Coleraine, Glentoran and Linfield."We were saying that at the start of the season, no one give us a chance.
Everyone wants to be a part of this game, and we've done well to get here."'Job not done' for Larne as Glentoran need a 'snooker'Last season, Larne finished second in the table - some 22 points behind runaway leaders Linfield.David Healy's side were so far in front, Larne were actually closer to Glenavon in 10th than the title-winning Blues. But if was the off-season action that seemed to put Larne off the radar. In the off season owner Kenny Bruce, the man behind the club's transformation from the Championship to champions, handed over the reins of the club to new investors.Then, after his false start as Larne boss the previous year while he sorted his coaching qualifications, Nathan Rooney left his role as manager after just one game of the season.Gary Haveron, as he did the year before, stepped into the breach, and would be rewarded with the permanent job.
It all led to an unclear outlook at the club, certainly to the outside, and Cosgrove said the doubts over the club were "motivation" throughout the season.The defender added that there were "lots of rumbles and grumbles", but it was up to the experienced players to guide the squad on the pitch. The older heads really came to the fore in the season run in, when their double-digit lead was slashed to just three points, yet they showed enough resolve to head into the final day in control."It's probably had nothing to do with the players and stuff, it was probably just all the background noise going on," Cosgrove said on why he feels the club were overlooked going into the season."I had heard everything, with Kenny leaving and the bubble had burst, and the fans were staying away.""But you've seen everyone.
When you do well, everyone does come out and wants to see a big game."'It would be a massive honour'Knowing a draw against the Swifts would be enough to secure the title, Cosgrove said it was "massive" that the destiny of the title was in their hands."That's all we wanted. We wanted to be right there and look at us," he added. "It's in our hands at home to win the league.
What more could you ask for at the start of the season? I know everyone will give it absolutely everything."For Cosgrove, title success on Saturday would be a fifth overall and a third at his time in Larne, and he says it would be a "a massive honour" if he could lift the Gibson Cup in front of his family and friends while wearing the armband."Sometimes you don't think you're going to win anything. The next one's the best one because you don't know when they're going to come round again."I don't know how long I have left.
I'm 33 now and I know everyone says I am fit and playing well, but you don't know how long you have left. "It's brilliant to get there and hopefully I can lift it again because your family and all come, so it's a great occasion."