IC Seal Championship In Style

Huddersfield Irish Centre were confirmed as Division 2 Champions this afternoon, sealing a suberb double in only their first season of existance.

The Huddlers knew prior to the game that a point would seal the championship, but there was nothing but a victory to play for. Gelpack Manager of the Year Chris Helliwell shuffled his squad and formation and despite leaving stars Bell, Tattersley and Kalinowski on the bench it definitely wasn't a weakened side. Utility-man McGowan was rested after a family berievement but watched from the touchline our condolances go out to him and his family.

 The visitors started as was expected, bombarded the Beacon goal and it was within 15mins that skipper Chris Keady scored his first goal of the season and one to set IC on their way. The second came not long after from a suberb right-footed shot from O'Donnell from outside the area, and from then on IC looked in full control with Mann showboating hios skills and lovely linkup play down the right by Clarke and Quinn, Quinn who was superb throughout in his new Midfield role.

Quinn pictured

 A third followed not long after, again from a corner when Quinn headed but the ball was deflected into the net by the Beacon defender. Helliwell bagged a forth just before the break with a well taken goal, and the game was won by half-time.

The second half saw Bell replace Kitterick with immediate effect. Bell, IC's top scorer this season (pictured), grabbed two quick goals, the second from a superb through ball by the in-form Lunn. Tattersley and Kalinowski replaced O'Donnell and Buggy and the IC again made a full assault on the Beacon goal. On the odd occasion Beacon counter-attacked Keady and Wood proved just too strong to give them an attempt at Shanahan.

With not long remaining Lunn battled his way through the box and was brought down and a penalty was awarded. Lunn confidently took a grasp of the ball and placed it on the spot, but a great reach from the keeper denied Lunn his first league goal of the season. A seventh came from a flick-on header by Tattersly and Bell finished off his hat-trick in the remaining minutes.

Celebrations began straight away and several bottles of champagne was sprayed and shared between the manager and the players.

Congratulations to players, management and supporters on a fantastic season and a memeroble season. Pictures of the day will appear soon.