New Oak regain Premier Division trophy after three years

Back in 2023 when New Oak were winning their third consecutive Nationalist Premier Division and back to back quadruples, they couldn’t have dreamt that they wouldn’t see the Premier Division title for three years. After losing their title to their long time rivals Crettyard and then St. Pat’s, New Oak reclaimed it on Wednesday night with a 3-0 win over last season’s champions on their own patch, Bagenalstown were slipping to a 4-2 defeat against St. Fiacc’s. Those results meant that The Paupish could not be overtaken at the summit of the top division of Carlow Soccer. 

It is a 14th trophy for New Oak under manager Gavin Dowling since he took over just after Covid.

News of an early Jack Byrne goal for St Fiacc's filtered through and New Oak were given encouragement that this would be the night for them to wrap up the title but Danny Doyle put a snag in those plans when he levelled three minutes later for Bagenalstown.

New Oak took the lead after 17 minutes when former League of Ireland striker Shane Barnes broke down the right, cut in and fired a shot towards the near post and it went in to give New Oak the advantage.

Back at St Fiacc's, Bagenalstown showed they were up for the fight when Tommy Bolger gave them the lead for the first time.

New Oak continued to fulfil their side of the the bargain when they doubled their lead nine minutes before half-time. Dean Kelly sent in a cross from the right and Cian Cleary was waiting to hit it in at the back post to it home. 

The game at St Fiacc's turned in New Oak's favour when Dylan Walsh and Ricky Lawler scored either side of the half time break, and Lawler would go on to complete the win for them with a late goal to seal a 4-2 victory.

New Oak finished with a flourish and wrapped up with the win that secured the league title, and fittingly it was scored by a player who has been at the heart of so much of their success. Dean Kelly extended his lead at the top of the Golden Boot standings with an absolute peach, curling an effort from outside the box into the top left hand corner for his 11th goal of the season and and spark a night of celebrations.

They will, however, have to wait until their next league game on 26 April against Hanover to get their hands on the Nationalist Premier Division trophy.

Captain David O'Shea was thrilled to see his team back on top. 

“It's well overdue," said O'Shea.

"At the beginning of the season, it was our goal to get the league back and we're after getting it back down to the Paupish Lane with three games to spare, so we're absolutely delighted,” 

Although they have enjoyed cup success during their mini league title drought, O'Shea said the Nationalist Premier Division title is their number one aim every year. 

“It’s the red and gold — it’s the one you want to win. The team that wins the league is the one that’s been the best over the course of the year.

“We’ve picked up a lot of silverware over the last couple of years, but to miss out on the league was a bit of a sickenerl For the last two years, it felt like we were well capable, but we let it slip — and that’s down to ourselves.

“This year, we’ve really knuckled down. Apart from the odd hiccup, we’ve been very strong throughout. The last couple of games especially — plenty of clean sheets — so we’re thrilled.” 

“It means a lot for the likes of Gavin, Eddie, everyone that's been putting in the effort over the few years and stuff like that. Not to have the league, as I said previously, is a bit of a sickener. But look, it's back there now and we're going to hold on to it, please God, for a couple of years.”