History beckons for incredible Inny FC

Inny FC 1, Home Farm 0

By Paul Doolin

In D'Alton Park, the home of Mullingar Town, on Sunday morning, a huge crowd were treated to a piece of history as North Westmeath side Inny FC cruised to an All-Ireland U14 final in almost nonchalant fashion and in the process defeated one of the long established hot beds and nurseries of Irish soccer.

While the winning goal may have had a slight bit of fortune to it, make no mistake about it, the better team won here and indeed could have and should have won by more. But for a brief period in the final quarter, Inny FC dominated this game and even when they came under a bit of late pressure, their determination was resolute and not once did you feel they would let this slip.

Van Morrison sang about ‘days like this’ and there may never be anymore but on Sunday last the day belonged to the Black and Gold of Inny FC, a team and a club in their infancy so to speak but who stood up like men when the need was greatest.

As stated, Inny FC dominated from the start but were limited to a couple of half chances only from Oisín Keena and Antonio Bertolo, but it was their interplay and cohesion that had Home Farm mesmerised and one always felt a half break would prove decisive. That break came on 25 minutes when Inny FC played the ball neatly from the back to Bertolo on the right wing and he swung a beauty across the six-yard box and in the confusion the Home Farm 'keeper lost control of the ball and it slipped into the net for the opener to the wild cheers of their huge following.

Inny FC went for the jugular with Patrick Wallace hitting the post before putting a good chance over the top; Liam Doyle went close with a header from a Bertolo corner and they finished the half with Cian Lawlor being denied by a good save. However, the half belonged to Inny FC and they went in at the break deserved leaders.

After half-time we felt the full brunt of the ever changing Irish weather as fine weather turned to torrential rain, a drop in temperature and a driving wind and in truth the game suffered as a consequence. More half chances for Wallace, Senan Brody and Lawlor went astray as Inny FC pressed for a second goal. But it didn't materialise and as the half wore on, Home Farm began to find their feet and, led by their best player Emanuel McGovern, they put Inny FC under pressure. But the Inny FC defence stood tall and goalie Colm O’Rourke made some vital interceptions and was solid as a rock.

Inny FC were now confined to chances on the break and Wallace and Brody almost doubled the lead, but it was their defence that held out amid a frantic late assault from Home farm and coped right until the final whistle, where they shared unbridled emotions with their supporters who flooded the field after a quite stunning victory.

As stated goalie O’Rourke did exactly what was required when required while the back four were compact, diligent and tigerish. Bertolo, Keena and Loughlin bossed the middle of the field and the wings, but it was Patrick Wallace that stood out from first to last whistle and was a constant threat in possession and gets the Man of the Match award. It was all about the collective, though as this was a real team performance of the highest order from a fine group of hardworking young men who now have an All-Ireland title in their sights.

Scorer - Antonio Bertolo (25 mins).

Teams

Inny FC: Colm O’Rourke, Liam Doyle, Cian Lawlor, James Nea, Darragh Orme, Oisín Keena, Antonio Bertolo, Patrick Wallace, Ben Loughlin, Senan Brody and Conor Fox. Panel: Jack Hegarty, Adam Bracken, Oisin O’Farrell, Harry Brennan, Robert Whelan and Jack Cahill.

Home Farm ( full panel all players used): Dylan Boland, Dylan Quirke, Josh Duke, Liam O’Reilly, Nathan Lyons, Emanuel McGovern, Alfie O’Neill, Jack Padden, Danny Davis, Ronan O’Sullivan, Michael Sharpe, Max Brady, Rafe Foley, Zac Kelly and Tom Rothwell.

Referee: Brian Greene.