RYAN CARLIN SAW the good days at Convoy Arsenal and wasn’t quite sure when they’d return.
When Convoy made the step into the Ulster Senior League in 2005, Carlin was a prodigeous striker at Orchard Park and now the wheel is full circle with Carlin the player-manager who has just guided them into the Donegal League Premier Division.
Carlin stayed with the club through thick and thin; through some memorable times in the intermediate ranks and through the not-so-fond days.
Convoy made a leap not many teams – even those from loftier perches – would be willing to make when they jumped from winning a Division 1 title in the Donegal League straigt into the USL.
[adrotate group=”37″]It was brave and it was bold, but in they went and they lasted seven seasons before packing their bags again.
In 2013, they were relegated from Division 1, having returned to the tier from whence they came.
They were pipped by Deele Harps to a play-off berth in 2014 before winning Division 2 last season.
On Sunday, they clinched back-to-back promotions with an extra-time win over Donegal Town at The Moss.
Lee Guthrie’s 113th minute winner, after James Kee drew Convoy level following an opener from Conor McMonagle, fired the Orchard Park side back among the big boys again.
“They’re back enjoying playing again and back with a bite again,” Carlin says.
“It was disappointing that the club had to go back to square one in a way again. We had a couple of decent seasons in the USL, but we had to leave it. We didn’t really have any other options at the time.
“We were struggling to get teams out and it was the right decision for the club.
“We’ve been building again since. It’s a wild young team we have now. Only myself, Eunan Kelly and Darren Harvey were in the 30s bracket this season.
“The team really dug deep. We have plenty of youth, but they came of age this season.”
Convoy lost only twice all season, both in the early chapter, to Donegal Town and Gweedore United, but they were left to rue their four draws, something that proved vital on the decisive final day of the season.
Three teams – Convoy, Donegal Town and Lagan Harps – all headed for the final day hoping for a day of glory.
[adrotate group=”52″]Lagan did what they needed to do and defeated Kerrykeel 71 to take the title, but there was nothing to separate Convoy and Donegal Town: they had the same points, an equal goal difference and the exact number of goals scored and conceded.
“It was a bit of a mad day that,” Carlin says.
“At half-time, Donegal Town were top and we were down to third.
“The draws killed us. We drew 3-3 in Cranford and were lucky to get it – we came from two down that day and we drew 4-4 in Keadue.”
Jonny Robb ended the season with 20 goals, player-boss Carlin hit 10 and the rest of the team contributed 25 between them.
“We have a great spread of goalscorers,” Carlin says. “Anyone can pop up with a goal for us. We’re blessed like that actually. We aren’t too dependent on any one player.
“We know a goal can come from somewhere, from anywhere. Some man will always pop up and I think that has given confidence right around the team the more men that have scored.”
[adrotate group=”35″]Carlin was aided by Paul Barron this season, enabling him to plau on.
His heroes were in plentiful supply. Robb takes the plaudits as the chief marksman, but there were others, too, who shone.
“Defenders or goalkeepers don’t get as much praise as forwards,” says Carlin.
“The likes of Emmet McNulty and Chris O’Donnell won us so many points this season, it was unreal. Even on Sunday, they were outstanding.”
[adrotate group=”46″]Now, Convoy are at the top table again.
Carlin holds no fear for his troops.
“This season, we beat Kildrum and Gweedore Celtic in the Cups and we ran Castlefin close twice,” he says. “We put it up to the top teams better and I think the boys can really lift their game for the Premier Division. We can’t wait to get at it.”
Convoy Arsenal squad 2015/16: Chris O’Donnell, Emmet McNulty, Paul O’Leary, Shane McLaughlin, Jason Elliott, Emmett Patterson, Gary Doherty, Chris Lynch, James Kee, Gary Brolly, Darren Harvey, Lee Guthrie, Jason Toner, Anthony Bogle, Dan O’Brien, Ryan Carlin, Jonny Robb, Micky Melaugh, Marty Vance, Conor Cairns, Eunan Kelly, Paul Barron.
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