Inny FC preparing for All-Ireland Cup semi-final
Next Sunday will be a proud day for all involved with the Inny FC U14 side, who play Home Farm in the All-Ireland Cup semi-final.
A competition that began with 500 teams has been whittled down to four and the small club, based in Streete, are up there with the largest clubs in the country. It’s a remarkable achievement for all involved. The Inny FC side are managed by Tommy Keena and Garry Doyle and only last Saturday, they won the semi-final of the Connacht Cup, defeating Castlebar Celtic 5-0.
Tommy Keena said the players have been fantastic in their performances all season.
“Last Saturday was great, but obviously the All-Ireland is the major one, with 500 teams involved in it. They are a good team, a very talented group. They are very athletic - if you put them into running they would be up there with the best in Leinster,” he remarked.
The story of Inny FC’s progress is quite phenomenal.
“It’s a huge achievement; such a small base. We are picking out of such a small area. We play out of Streete, but it’s not really our home and we don’t have one as such. We have been using other clubs. Mullingar Town has been great to us; Martin Moore (Chairman) is very helpful,” said Keena.
Sunday’s semi-final is in Dalton Park and there is great excitement among everyone in the small rural Westmeath club as they prepare to take on the might of Home Farm. Already they have conquered St Joseph’s, Dublin in the competition, so inferiority complex won’t be an issue.
They became the first team from the Longford League to reach the semi-final stage of the Schoolboys/girls Football Association of Ireland All-Ireland Cup competition following their 2-1 win over St Joseph’s - the goals coming from Senan Brody and Antonio Bertolo.
The players have given all involved so many great memories, but the semi-final win was the best.
All involved are grateful to the brilliant players and supporters, who united to get Inny FC over the line.
Inny FC is extremely grateful to Mullingar Town for hosting the semi-final so well and to all the neighbouring clubs who came to cheer us on and who sent supportive messages.
Inny U14 squad: Colm O’Rourke, Liam Doyle, Jack Hegarty, Darragh Orme, James Nea, Oisin Keena, Antonio Bertolo, Patrick Wallace, Adam Bracken, Senan Brody, Oisin O’Farrell, Robert Whelan, Harry Brennan, Cian Lawlor, Conor Fox, Ben Loughlin, Jack Cahill.