THE pensioners were set dancing inside the club hall at Market Green when Thomas McGauley rose highest to head home Glebe's opener minutes into their clash with league leaders Crumlin United last Wednesday.

The blue of Crumlin pressed for the remainder of the first half but as Eyna Barnet put her Ceoltas gang through their steps you just got a feeling it was going to be Glebe's night.

Before kick-off Crumlin were leading the Senior Division on 23 points after 10 games, but it was Glebe on 14 who shot out of the traps full of purpose and in search of a win that would put them right back in contention.

Crumlin are understandably favourites to win this league and they play the ball across the park with panache, but in the opening moments it was Glebe who looked more impressive and deservedly went ahead after six minutes when McGauley pounced after Chris Costello whipped in a perfect head-high corner.

Before that Stephen Nolan had come close when he lost his marker and found himself one-on-one with the keeper, but his shot went high and over.

Young Danny Moriarty was making runs in all directions up front and at the other end the Glebe defence was also on form and four of McGuinness, McGauley, McCann and Kelly kept chances down to a minimum.

However, as the first half wound down Crumlin began to turn the screw and deservedly equalised when the talented Danny Loughlin split the Glebe defence and played in Crumlin's pacey number ten who left his marker for dust before striking low into the right corner.

The rain continued to drizzle and the number of supporters reflected the adverse conditions. But those who chose to stay in by the home fires reflecting on the budget missed out. In the second half

the an already interesting tie turned into a pre-Christmas cracker.

Before long two red cards were brandished as the Crumlin striker and Glebe's Anto McGuinness were sent for an early shower after a scuffle broke out following heated exchanges.

Tackles were flying in all directions and Crumlin looked dangerous every time they went forward, though Glebe were equally threatening on the break and with 15 minutes remaining one such burst brought about the winner.

After a period of pressure the ball fell to Stephen Richardson who turned before picking out a superb cross that was headed back into the penalty area by McGauley before Stephen Nolan's shot was blocked and the ball fell nicely for Stepthen Costello to blast into the far corner.

In fairness Glebe had looked more slick since manager Liam Kelly and his side kick Paul Lumsden decided to bring on the sprightly Johnny Guerin to add more pace on the wing and the skilful Keith Richardson who was just back from injury, although the two men they replaced, Moriarity and Hageman, also impressed.

The result makes it 10 goals in four games for Glebe and more impressively four wins out of four at home – Liam Kelly and his players must have been tempted to join the pensioners in a celebratory jig!

After that terrific mid-week victory against Crumlin a greatly depleted Glebe North put in a huge effort to earn a share of the spoils in a 0-0 draw against Dublin Bus on Sunday.

The point leaves Glebe in fourth behind Crumlin who picked up a win against Belgove and now are eight points ahead. But with fourteen games still to be played after the Christmas break , it is very much all to play for and Glebe, who will kick off the second half of their season on Janurary 3rd.

- Paraic BRADY