Cosmos shoot the Sheriff!

Navan Cosmos celebrated the 36th anniversary of their first game in the Mid-Meath League on 23rd November 1980 with a historic 2-0 victory tonight in the Leinster Senior Cup against top Dublin side Sherrif YC at Parnells in Coolock.

The historic part of the victory is due to the fact that this is the first time that Cosmos has played in the Leinster Senior Cup and they have now won three games with this latest victory.

Going into the game as underdogs wasn't a handicap for the Meath side and after surviving a frantic Sherrif onslaught in the first five minutes they took control and were ahead in the eighth minute when Colm Carney finished well.

Carney was denied another goal soon after when he saw his lobbed effort from the side of the penalty area skim the woodwork and he also hit the bar from a free with another chance.

Sherrif created a few chances also with Stuart Glenn and Mark Higgins going close, but the Dubliners were also under pressure as Conor Walsh caused them problems.

Midway through the second-half Sheriff lost Gavin McDermott to a red card and that made it more difficult for the hosts who still worked hard in an effort to equalise.

However, they lost their concentration at times also as they argued and contested decisions by referee David Dunne (AUL) who is expected to move up to the panel for League of Ireland games next season.

Cosmos sealed the victory with a breakaway Donal Callan goal in the 88th minute.

That first game back in 1980 was also the first game played in the Mid Meath League (later to become the Meath & District League and now the North East Football League).

Navan Cosmos - Conor Gilsenan; Paul delaney, Ben Newe, Robbie Dillon, Shaun Doyle, Alan Murphy, Donal Callan, Colin Lynch, Cillien Corcoran, Conor Walsh, Colm Carney. Subs - James Boland for Corcoran 71 mins, Jack Murray for Carney 88m, Gary Gibney for Walsh 89m
Sherrif YC - Lee Murphy; Paul Murphy, Philip Hand, Gavin McDermott, John Lester, Joe Flood, Stephen Murphy, Darren O'Brien, John Rock, Mark Higgins. Subs - Chris Reilly for Lester 70 mins, Sean Murphy for Glenn 73m, Taylor Crean for Hand 81m
Referee - David Dunne (AUL).