Cosmos win well after impressive performance

Helped by late goals from Colin Gilsenan (pictured) and Stephen Moran, Navan Cosmos secured all three points from this Meath & District League Div 1 encounter at the MDL on Sunday and proclaimed loud and clear that they will once more be a force to be reckoned with in the race for the title. Over the past few seasons Cosmos have gone agonisingly close to clinching promotion to the top flight only to be denied at the death and they are clearly on a mission to put that right. Drogheda Crescent went into this game with a big reputation after waltzing their way to the Div 4 title last season and were graded in Div 1 this season. They also won the Leinster Junior Shield and the O'Neill Shield in what was a remarkable debut campaign. They were asked to move up a few divisions and they have taken on the challenge with their team partly made up of players who in the past turned out for Drogheda Town. Perhaps because they are unaccustomed to defeats they tended to lose their discipline when they went 1-2 down in this game. They finished with 10 men when Paddy O'Boyle was sent off in the closing minutes by referee Paddy Nolan after a Cosmos player was left on the ground holding his face. Despite the problems the Drogheda side encountered they showed enough to suggest that they also will mount a strong challenge for the title, but on a sunny, pleasant day the honours belonged to Cosmos. Afterwards their manager Derek Coogan could reflect on a fine spirited display by his charges who were disciplined and focused throughout. "At the start of the season they were probably the title contenders. Today we played very well we kept it tight at the back, took our goals well and if we win our games in hand we'll be right up there," he said. "We signed a few good players over the summer and they have really added to our squad especially up front." Certainly manager Coogan had good reason to be happy with the way his side grew in strength as the game went on. Navan Cosmos created only a handful of half-chances in the scoreless opening 45 minutes with Paul Bartley shooting narrowly wide when in a good position. He also headed over after a fine cross by Ivan Reilly. The heretofore sturdy Drogheda Cresecent defence was finally breached four minutes after the break when Moran whipped in a fine cross from the left. Up rose Conor Walsh to head home from close range. Within seven minutes the visitors were level when Paddy Murtagh crossed for the skilful Ian Devine to knock home at the far post. It was a disappointing goal for Cosmos to concede as they had given their opponents few opportunities up to then. It looked like it would remain 1-1 until five minutes from the end when Walsh delivered a cross from the left and Gilsenan stole in to neatly flick the ball home. Along with Keith McGibney and Walsh, Gilsenan had caused huge problems for the Crescent defence. It got better for Cosmos. With time almost up Walsh won a free on the edge of the box. Moran stepped up to skilfully steer the ball over the wall and into the corner of the net. It was a textbook free and a perfect way for Cosmos to finish a fine afternoon. Navan Cosmos - D Ratty; I Reilly, S Moran, S Ivers, M Nicholls, D McGovern, K McGibney, S Conaty, P Bartley, C Walsh, C Gilsenan. Subs - B Newman for Bartley, K Walsh for Ivers. Drogheda Crescent - B Smith; L Kavanagh, K Walsh, K Collins, J Coddington, P O'Boyle, D Carolan, R Dooley, P Murtagh, I Devine, J Johnson. Subs - K Hoey for Collins, S Casey for Carolan. Referee - Paddy Nolan (Midland Branch).