Glasnevin v Phoenix FC
Seniors – LSL Premier I Sat, 31/5/25, Albert College.
by Declan Coyle
High noon. The very last day of spring of 2025. Never to be repeated. This was it. Showtime.
Pitch 4 at ACP was like a Subbuteo surface, grass manicured to perfection, Bebbo’s precise and immaculate lines shone like Berger’s best white gloss in the hazy sunlight of an almost temperate summer’s day. Four tall white corner poles stood to attention, each commanding their border territory, crested red flags quietly flapping in a soft, balmy breeze.
The ever-loyal Glasnevin supporting fathers arrived. Pretty girlfriends shyly gathered alongside. All present to encourage their Digger fellas. Glasnevin veterans and legends assumed vantage points on the Ballymun Road line and Dan The Man Lacey skipped in the gate. The renowned and notorious philanthropist Digger McGuinness was also spotted. It was a lovely day.
Phoenix FC were in town, attempting to derail Glasnevin from obtaining another three valuable league points.
Mission possible. Glasnevin to win. League Championship in the mála.
Glasnevin, Phoenix and Castleknock were all tied in the league on 47 points. This was Phoenix FC’s last league game. Only a win was their target. Diggers had three remaining aces in their back pocket.
Half an hour later, game on. As expected from the start, Phoenix got stuck in. It took Glasnevin approx ten minutes to settle and muster a half chance. Neither side produced a real opportunity.
The first incident of note happened in the 34th minute. Glasnevin cleared a ball in their own half, upfield towards Diggers’ Conor McGrath. Phoenix’s number 5 slid, battered and clattered the Bull McGrath just outside the box. Immediate red card for tackle and denying a goal chance. Ref on the mark (as he was being observed). However, no score occurred from the free kick.
Just after, the weather gods began to cry, resulting in a quicker, slicker surface. In the 40th minute, Phoenix sacrificed their centre forward with a midfielder and left a lone ranger up front. Two minutes later, Glasnevin’s Christian Jones had a chance with a flash shot across the goal but it went towards the Circle K garage. Just before the break, the Phoenicians had a sneaky chance that ended just wide of Keith Doran’s post, thank God.
Although there weren’t many clear scoring opportunities in the first 45, the game was full of tension, tasty tackles and played at a high pace. No score at HT.
All changed in the 47th minute. A decisive and quick break from the back by Christian Jones, up the left wing, ball onto the Bull McGrath who deliciously curled a pass into the box, where Keifer Trappe polished it to the net. Magic. Guessing people in Santry heard the roars.
It got better seven minutes later. Digger midfielder six-foot-six Marcus Murphy received the ball in the opposition’s half and, John Cleese-like, strode forward, passed two Phoenician defenders and dispatched an arrow of a ball to the onion sack. Boom. Berger… you’re looking good. Two up.
Tony Howard made a tactical substitution a minute later, replacing Conor Perkins with Alonzo Houlihan, the Cavan-Mexican Ronaldo. This immediately reaped a reward.
In the 57th minute, Bull McGrath made up 20 yards and partially blocked the keeper’s clearance. The ball looped up and sidewards in the box. Incoming Alonzo with one neat touch, volleyed to the net. (In the after celebrations, he bravely admitted nearly shitting himself if he missed.)
The winning post was in sight. It was 3–0 to Glasnevin. Roars were heard in Finglas. Peachy.
The opposition bravely continued with 10 and still at times threatened Glasnevin. Yet there was still more to come. In the 69th minute, another Digger breathtaking break involving the Bull, Christian, Marcus and Keifer. The ball found itself in the path of Digger centre half Ryan Swan who drove it TaylorMade to the right-hand side of the target. This player, weekly, has chipped in with some diamond efforts and outcomes as a defender. 4–0.
The brilliant, rampaging Kerry Dexter McGrath had given his all and was replaced by Aaron Conner to a standing ovation. More Diggers were replaced over the next few minutes.
In the 73rd minute, Aaron Conner in the Phoenix area was about to shoot when he was cleaved down. Peno. Up stepped Glasnevin’s Sean Higgins who, all during the game, was “De Bruyne”-like in midfield. Coolly, bangs the match ball to the net.
Awesome.
It finished 5–0 to the Diggers.
This possibly was Glasnevin’s best league performance of the season, especially for the importance and timing. Keeper Doran had another impeccable handling and kicking game.
The Digger rearguards of Sticky, Swan and Perko defended for their lives like Ali, Marciano and McGuigan. Wing backs Gerard and Jones produced Rolls Royce performances up and down the flanks.
Midfielders Kelly, Murphy and Higgins controlled proceedings like unpaid Revenue Custom Officers. The Bull and Trappe did the required damage like woodpeckers. Alonzo belted some crucial strikes. Subs Reid, Conner, Clarkin, Murphy, Clancy and McGuinness, when called upon and during the season, unquestionably backed up their Digger brethren.
Importantly, and during his season before the injury, Dan The Man contributed so much and greatly assisted to get the team in today’s position.
Massive congratulations to Tony and Robbie Howard—League Champions, Cup semi-finalists and promotion. The fine wine was kept for the last.
Crackingly, Digger McG unbelievably captured the magnificent five. All online, and with junior coaches commentary to bring on the excitement.
On the ref’s final whistle, Digger players, committee and supporters went ballistic. Mission possible completed. Glasnevin FC were league champions. It was like the gold had been found at the end of the rainbow. Six packs of Moretti were exploding.
There was dancing, jigging, roaring—and that was just Tony and Robbie. All emotional exhaust valves opened. Fitbit recordings soared.
When proceedings calmed, LSL Divisional Secretary Noel Keogh presented the league trophy to Diggers’ captain Sticky McGlue and the players. More dancing, jiving and water throwing. Childish. Brilliant. Guessing there won’t be a Ayrshire milked in D9 tonight.
Digger players, committee and supporters immediately invaded the bar area of club sponsors Tolka House. Word came through that the remaining three games would not be played.
An hour later, the sales of porter had spiked. It was like Christmas après Covid. Cheering, hugging, laughing, joking, cuddles, kisses, buzzing. After a good while, it became a blur!
On Wednesday night before the game, the Glasnevin Senior team of 1975 that won the league that year, unbeaten, celebrated a 50th year anniversary in Tolka House.
Also nine years to the day (31/5/2016), Glasnevin Seniors last lifted a divisional cup.
The omens were there.
Another historical club chapter written.
Yes, it was a really lovely day.