Inny FC get name in hat for fifth round after Knocknacarra win
A national competition that began with more than 500 teams has now been reduced to just 32 survivors and Inny FC got their name in the hat for the fifth round draw following their nailbiting win over Galway giants Knocknacarra on Sunday.
The Streete based team remain experts at defying the odds. Already in their short history they have won 19 out of their 22 SFAI and Connacht Cup matches, taking some significant scalps along the way.
On Sunday, Knocknacarrra, Galway champions in 2022 and All-Ireland quarter-finalists in 2023, became the latest team to lose to the north Westmeath side. Their young side were eventually outdone by Inny, who had a frustrating afternoon at Longford’s Abbeycartron venue, Cian Lawlor getting the winning goal for Inny.
And it was no more than they deserved. Winger Antonio Bertolo hit the woodwork three times in the match; Patrick Wallace also clipped the top of the crossbar with a cross; Senan Brody was inches wide with one shot; Lawlor had a fine shot saved by the Knocknacarra keeper; Antonio, Patrick, Ben Loughlin and Oisin Keena also were denied by the visiting shotstopper.
Despite Inny’s annoyance at not scoring more, in the bigger picture, their achievement in getting this far has to be acknowledged. While previous Inny teams, at adult and juvenile level, have embarked on prolonged runs in provincial cups, no side from the club have ever travelled this deep in a national competition.
But the fact they have done so should come as no surprise considering they have taken the scalps of three League of Ireland clubs - including Shamrock Rovers - plus the champions of Galway, Sligo and Connacht.
They have also won the Cook Cup twice and the Longford and District League three times.
Strength in depth is a key component of the team’s success.
Their keeper, Colm O’Rourke, is a top level operator; the defence has options among Jack Hegarty, Liam Doyle, Darragh Orm, Sunday’s man of the match James Nea, and Conor Fox.
The midfield provides fierce competition for places between Oisin Keena, Adam Bracken, Patrick Wallace, Harry Brennan and Ben Loughlin.
On the wings, Robert Whelan, Cian, Antonio and Oisin O’Farrell also provide competition for places, Senan Brody and Jack Cahill each having fine seasons.
All of it is paying off. Inny are constantly knocking Goliaths over.
Salthill, the Galway champions from the previous two years, were beaten in round 3. Now Knocknacarra, last year’s Galway League Cup winners, are knocked out by this underdog team - who don’t know the meaning of giving up.
Credit also has to be given to the Longford and District League officials for hosting Sunday’s Cup match following Friday’s torrential rain.
Their Abbeycartron pitch was in perfect condition for Sunday. They now await the fifth round draw with huge excitement.
Inny squad
Colm O’Rourke; Liam Doyle, Darragh Orm, James Nea, Conor Fox; Antonio Bertolo (captain), Patrick Wallace, Oisin Keena, Ben Loughlin, Cian Lawlor; Senan Brody, Harry Brennan, Oisin O’Farrell, Adam Bracken, Jack Cahill, Robert Whelan, Jack Hegarty.