Green Briar Football Club: D3 Playoff Title belongs to Briar

Green Briar O30 1:0 Southborough

What a way to finish your managerial career. Gary Keane rides off into the sunset with his D3 playoff trophy under his arm and thus brings to an end a Guardiola-esque tenure at the helm of the Green Briar Over 30's. Although not all plain sailing, Keane succeeding in guiding his men to three playoff finals out of four seasons, two promotions and two playoff titles. His record reads an impressive...

Played 46 Won 27 Draw 9 Lost 10 GF 118 GA 66 GD +52

So what next for the Waterford man? Well rumors are he's on the come back trail as a player and was seen leaving the Briar and jogging through the streets of Brighton in the early hours of Sunday morning last. I guess it's never too early to start the off-season training regimen.

Gary Keane

John Hickey was absent on the field during the final due to a severe injury, but he joined Keane on the line to urge the team forward. The 2012 Captain led by example on and off the field throughout the season and it was only fitting that he lifted the trophy triumphantly after the nail biting conclusion to the match.

John Hickey

The Green Briar defense is often overlooked when it comes to the write ups. The unsung heroes are never seen to be jostling for the accolades that are bandied about over a disputed goal or deflection that may affect the Golden boot race. They simply get the job done. It may not always be pretty, but the facts don't lie. Green Briar had the best defensive record in D3 for the Fall season and conceded a mere 1 goal in the last there games of the season, recording two clean sheets.

Kevin Higgins and Jason Sullo

Jason Sullo, Conor Hannick, Kevin Higgins, Davey Coen and Tom "The Assist" McElwain are just a few of the rear guard that helped set a foundation for the title winning effort.

Tom The Assist celebrates at the Briar

The match itself was a nail biter. The Briar struggled to find their feet in the game but persevered, slowly growing into the contest and competing against a Southborough team that were fluid and dangerous in attack.

The Briar's best chances came early in the second half, in particular a terrific free kick from Dave Coen that dropped on the six yard box caused panic with Leo O'Connor just failing to get the decisive touch.

The spoils

Southborough imposed themselves on the game as the second half wore on unluckily striking the crossbar from distance after earlier flashing a crisp shot just wide of the mark.

As time was expiring and it looked as if penalty kicks were on the cards, Tom McElwain found some inspiration. Struggling with cramp from a tireless shift at right full back, McElwain shook off the effects for one final burst of energy. Breaking up a Southborough attack he sent a searching ball up field straight into the path of Leo O'Connor. Not a man to make predictions, O'Connor guaranteed a victory while in buoyant mood a few days before the match. And so it was left to Big Leo to fulfill his own prophesy.

Better than Miss Cleo, the Club Clairvoyant Big Leo O'Connor

Fighting off his defender he gained perfect position before nudging the ball forward to give himself room for a strike. Thinking it was too easy to shoot with his right, he risked it all and took the shot with his left peg, and what a strike it was. The low drilled ball left the keeper flailing and nestled snuggly into the side netting as all in a Green jersey celebrated and collectively sighed in relief. The Briar had nicked it at the death.

A terrific day for the Green Briar Football Club and now all eyes turn to the Green Briar Pub on December 14th for the second annual Green Briar FC social.