Champions Scarva celebrate in style

In the ensuing 90 minutes they provided more compelling evidence of their outstanding pedigree, demonstrating beyond contradiction why they are such deserving champions.

It is 18 years since the club last collected a league trophy and Mo Brown’s side ensured the title party went off with a bang.

When the newly crowned champions went behind in the early stages, however, it looked as if the party would be a damp squib and goalkeeper Ritchie McGivern then made an agile save to push a long range Tullygally free kick round his post to prevent a second goal.

The visiting keeper missed a long pass out of defence from Rod Douglas and Dean McCammon made the most of a straightforward scoring opportunity to put his side back on level terms.

Neil Anderson embarked on a surging run from midfield and sent a blistering shot crashing against the crossbar and later in the half Anderson and Mark Baird combined neatly to create a scoring chance for Greg Douglas but his shot was wide of the target.

Douglas was clinical when the next opportunity fell his way. Colin Brown’s probing pass found Mark Baird and he fired the ball across the face of goal and the onrushing Douglas fired home.

The first half was evenly balanced but after the interval the home side were an irresistible attacking force.

Neil Anderson competed with the Tullygally keeper to connect with a Rod Douglas cross, the ball dropped at the feet of William Morrison and he slotted into an empty net.

Gary Dodds made it 4-1 with a superbly executed curling shot from just inside the penalty area.

Greg Douglas was then bundled over as he sprinted onto a ball over the top of the visiting defence. The midfielder has been a clinical penalty taker this season and enhanced his reputation with yet another unerring spot kick.

Shortly afterwards Douglas clinched his hat trick, meeting a long clearance upfield from Ritchie McGivern with a perfectly judged header that sent the ball beyond the helpless keeper and into the net.

His goal scoring exploits weren’t over. Neil Anderson’s cross caused havoc in the Tullygally defence and Douglas steered home his fourth goal of the game.

Dean McCammon has been prolific in front of goal this season, his goals a crucial element of his side’s success story. It was fitting then that the final home goal of the season should be scored by the team’s leading goalscorer.

It was a magnificent shot, which screeched into the net from 25 yards; a special goal for a special occasion.

The visitors showed considerable class at the final whistle when they came over to applaud Scarva on their title winning achievement. It has been a difficult season for Tullygally, not so long ago Division Two champions themselves, and their graciousness in defeat was admirable.

Best for Scarva Rangers – Neil Anderson and Greg Douglas.

The club would like to thank Sam and Ina Grattan for generously sponsoring Saturday’s match.