Cosmos cling on for title in six-goal thriller

Navan Cosmos clinched the Meath & District League Div 1 title in dramatic circumstances on Sunday when they held on for a draw against local rivals OMP Utd at the MDL. Six goals kept the sizeable crowd entertained throughout an absorbing contest during which the Cosmos were 2-0 and 3-1 ahead and still ended up having to cling on against a late OMP surge. The tension and drama of the occasion may have been too stressful for a Navan Cosmos official who unleashed a verbal broadside at an OMP spectator when referee Barry McDonnell ended the contest four minutes into second-half injury-time. That was the signal for Navan Cosmos party-time as the players and officials enjoyed a visit to the winners' enclosure that began to gain momentum in the early part of the season when they were awarded three points in the MDL boardroom despite losing to Longwood who fielded an unregistered player. Those three points ultimately proved crucial as Cosmos and OMP both finished the season with identical records, 14 wins, six draws and two defeats. For long periods on Sunday OMP Utd were by far the better team, they were more creative and were only denied goals by a Wayne Murtagh clearance off the line, a fine Sean Gilsenan save from Barry Carlton while Michael Brennan also went close. Against the run of play Cosmos hit the front in the 22nd minute when the predatory instincts of Laurence Ivers punished a defensive lapse. OMP were almost back on terms before the break after Brennan beat two defenders and then saw his shot spilled by Gilsenan, but the ball broke and hit the post before it was hoofed to safety. Then, in the 45th minute, Brennan's header was saved by the Cosmos custiodian. Cosmos dictated the early second-half exchanges and Ivers missed a sitter from about two yards, but made amends in the 55th minute when he finished to the net. However, Cosmos don't seem to be able to defend two-goal leads and OMP were right back in contention with 15 minutes remaining when Brendan O'Donnell's header deflected off the post o the net. The OMP celebrations were still on-going when Cosmos replied about 20 seconds later with a superb Colm Gilsenan effort to make it 3-1. At that stage Cosmos looked safe, but OMP's never-say-die attitude was rewarded when Eanna Donohoe headed home in the 85th minute. Cosmos still looked safe although the defending became more desperate and Brennan drew the sides level in the 88th minute with a sensational finish. With the two Navan teams guaranteed a place in the Premier, Meath will have at least four teams in the top grade for the 2012 / 2013 season. OMP Utd - S McDonagh; G Halpin, John Rogers, D Corcoran, B O'Donnell, B Carlton, A Kearney, Joey Rogers, M Brennan, E Donohoe, D McElroy. Subs - K Mallon for McElroy 55 mins, M Reilly for Joey Rogers 47m. Navan Cosmos - S Gilsenan; I Reilly, D McGovern, J McDonagh, W Murtagh, M Nicholls, C Gilsenan, S Conaty, L Ivers, C Walsh, S Walsh. Subs - K McGibney for S Walsh 82 mins, S Ivers for C Walsh and P Bartley for C Gilsenan both 88m. Referee - Barry McDonnell (Louth Branch ISRS).