From grumbles to glory? Title would be 'massive honour' for Cosgrove

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.