A remarkable cup run continues Soccer: Inny FC U12s (Reds)
Inny FC Under-12s (Reds) continue to rewrite the club’s history books as their impressive cup run continues. Their latest success was a 2–0 away victory over Kilglass of Enniscrone in Round 2B of the Connacht Cup Trophy.
It was played in extremely difficult conditions on Sunday January 11 at Michael McGowan Park, Enniscrone as storm Goretti brought heavy rain and strong Atlantic winds with Inny playing into the elements in the first half. Kilglass, one of the leading teams in the Sligo/Leitrim Under-12 League, dominated early possession. However, Inny’s defense with centre-back Sean Reynolds, wing-backs Eugene Bourke and Rourke Fitzpatrick standing firm and with goalkeeper Daniel Brady producing a series of assured saves. The severity of the conditions was highlighted when one of Daniel’s kick-outs from goal was blown back towards him over the goal line. In midfield, Donagh Bourke and Sean Gaffney worked tirelessly with Donagh practically single handedly disrupting Kilglass attacks from midfield enabling him launch counter-attacks with his midfield partner, Sean Gaffney, while Killian Hardman and Jack Tyrrell provided pace and width from the flanks. Up front, Shane O’Neill posed constant problems for the home defence.
The goals continue Inny’s perseverance was rewarded just before half-time when a cross from Donagh Bourke was met by Jack Tyrrell, who volleyed home to give the visitors a 1–0 lead against the run of play. With the wind behind them after the break, Inny grew in authority. Sean Reynolds surged forward from defence to fire a powerful shot into the net for the second goal, effectively sealing the contest. Further chances followed, including a near-miss from O’Neill and the outcome never seriously in doubt after the second goal.
Their manager Eamonn Brady explained that their first game of the season in September was a record-scoring away win over Renmore FC of Galway City in the SFAI Cup, before going on to secure a historic 6–0 victory over Sligo’s Ballisodare FC in the Connacht Cup at Ballisodare’s home ground in early October, the largest winning margin ever achieved by an Inny team at any age level in that competition.
Eamonn also explained the significance of the campaign: “With their season only halfway complete, this Under-12 side has already progressed further in national and provincial cup competitions than any previous Inny team at the under 12 age group.”
Cup success has come despite a brief dip in league form during October, when the team lost three Longford League matches, an unprecedented run for a group that in previous seasons lost none or at most one league game per season in the last three years. Encouragingly, Inny have since rediscovered their form, stringing together wins and avenging earlier defeats.
This latest chapter follows closely on the heels of historic success for the club. Last season, Inny’s under-14s became the most successful underage side Westmeath has ever produced in soccer, winning the SFAI National Cup, widely regarded as the most prestigious underage football competition in Ireland resulting in them subsequently being named Westmeath Examiner Team of the Year.
That same group, now competing at Under-15 level, remains unbeaten this season and has previously completed a full campaign without defeat.
They are preparing for the latter stages of the Under-15 SFAI Cup, with a Round of 16 tie away to Tramore FC in County Waterford scheduled for the weekend of February 7. Coincidentally, that is the same weekend the Under-12 side face Kilmurry of Crossmolina in the next round of the Connacht Cup in Crossmolina, County Mayo. The Inny Reds under-12 side appears to be peaking at exactly the right time. Inspired by the achievements of their Under-15 clubmates, these young players have learned that success at national level is possible, and that belief may yet carry them even further on their remarkable journey.