Over 30's are Champions of Division 5

Green Briar O30's 2:2 United International
                       (4:3 pens)

It was back to where it all began as the Green Briar Over 30's started and ended their Spring season at Lincoln Street in Lexington. The early kick-off couldn't help the heat of the day playing a factor as the summer sun beat down on the turf.

The opening exchanges would see the Briar soak up plenty of pressure from United as they gained the ascendancy out of the gate. The Briar were content to attack on the break as Leo O'Connor and Kevin O'Donnell worked the keeper with crisp shots.

For all the pressure however, the Briar only conceded a few half chances, with the back 4 of McElwain, Hannick, Concagh and Glynn staying resolute. Captain Tom McElwain playing particularly well to snuff out the danger from wide areas.

Talismanic Defender Conor Hannick
(Picture Credit: Ariane O'Connor/Michael Graham)

The deadlock was broken by the Briar with a flowing move out of the defense. Conor Hannick controlled and fed Davey Coen in the middle. Davey in turn found John O'Brien who picked the ball up with his back to goal. His turn and pass found Leo O'Connor in the box and the form man of the team if not the league found the net for the 12th time in 12 games.

Brendan Joyce and Davey Coen were beginning to dominate the central areas as the half came to a close and the Briar gained a commanding foot hold in the tie as they entered the break.

Captain Tom McElwain accepts the trophy

(Video Credit: Gary Hennessy)

The aforementioned weather conditions were to play a part as the second half got under way as temperatures rose significantly pitch side. The pressure was on again as United came out strong. The Briar rear guard was finally breached on 53 minutes.

A break down the right saw the winger gain the bi-line and find a dangerous squaring ball across the Briar goal mouth. The attacker at the back post had the simple task to finish the move and restore parity. It was to get worse for the Greens as Danny Concagh had to withdraw with a recurrence of the knee injury that hampered his play in recent weeks. A brave shift from the Galway man who was playing through the pain.

Manager Gary Keane Celebrates
(Video Credit: Paul Glynn)

John Flannery was introduced on the wing as the versatile John Hickey moved back to centre half. Both men played well after the reshuffle but were powerless to stop United taking the lead. This time the danger came down the left wing.

Once again the winger gained the bi-line and squared the ball to the far post where it was dispatched to the net with authority for the 2-1 lead. This was a real test of character for the Greens who knew they would need to dig deep to earn the right to lift the Trophy.

2011 Division 5 Champions
(Photo Credit: Nicole Leonard)

With 15 minutes remaining in the tie and the season the Briar players really came to life. Davey Coen produced a good shot from the edge of the box but the United keeper was equal to it. This was to start a spell of multiple Briar corners as the pressure mounted.

Later Leo O'Connor popped up in a dangerous position yet again only to see his effort cleared off the line. Was it to be the Briar's day? John O'Brien helped answer that question with a superb equaliser. Brendan Joyce and Davey Coen yet again fashioned the chance before Kevin O'Donnell played it to O'Brien and he sent his strike high to the net from 12 yards. Relief for Gary Keane's men but was there time for a winner?

Penalty save hero Paul receives the plaudits
(Photo Credit: Nicole Leonard)

As time was running out Kevin O'Donnell went close with a tidy strike as the ball came to him at an awkward height. The final action would see another goal mouth scramble and clearance off the line from Tom Walsh who was unlucky not to become the hero of the day.

So the tie would be decided with the dreaded penalty kick shoot out. The first round of kicks was scored as Coen found the net for the Greens. Gavin Hall would see his effort saved in the second round of kicks as the Greens fell behind the 8-Ball at 2-1 in the shoot out.

Gary Keane was successful in round 3 along with the United effort, as the score in the shoot out went to 3-2. Big man Conor Hannick made no mistake in round 4 making it 3-3 and putting the pressure on United to keep their advantage.

Captain Tom McElwain lofts the trophy

(Photo Credit: Nicole Leonard)

United's 4th kick was at a good height for Paul in the Briar goal and he made the save to breathe new life into the Green Briar's title hopes. At 3-3 entering the final round of peno's, whose nerve would hold? Gary sent his most reliable scorer on the season to the spot to pile on the pressure. Leo O'Connor did not disappoint his manager as he made it 4-3 with one kick remaining.

The pressure would prove too much for United. Paul yet again proved to be an imposing figure between the posts as he clawed the effort to safety and in doing so sparked jubilant celebrations as everyone on the Briar sideline realised the title was theirs.

As in any winning effort in a final there were heroes all over the park as the Briar's strength in depth was utilised and needed against a useful United side. Congratulations all round as everyone looks forward to the challenges ahead in Division 4.

Line Up: Paul, Glynn, Concagh, Hannick, McElwain(c), O'Donnell, Joyce, Coen, Hickey, Hall, O'Connor
Subs: Flannery, O'Brien, McDonagh, Bagnell, Kelly, Nassar, Shursky, Walsh, Keane, Higgins, Kilber-Stearns, Gillick, Knightly