The Comeback Kings

It was the big kick off at Bernard Curtis Park this afternoon as Inchicore Athletic got their LSL Premier Sunday league campaign underway.  After making the switch from LFL to LSL Inchicore were looking to keep up their good form that saw them claim last seasons Charlie O'Leary Cup.  Manortown were todays visitors and were looking to give Inchicore a baptism of fire.

It was the home team who got the first chance as Brian Atkinson went close with a curling effort from the edge of the box.  With some enforced changes and a couple of new signings on the pitch Inchicore settled into the game and looked to dominate their opponents.  It was Manortown who struck first though, against the run of play.  Karl Cogan, with a superb performance as captain on the day, gave away the penalty.  The spot kick was dispatched to the keepers left and suddenly there was a cat among the pigeons.

Nedu thwarts a Manortown attack

Inchicore are made of stern stuff however and set about finding an equaliser.  The lead lasted all of ten minutes as Wes McDermott, playing up front for the day, raced through on goal.  He was tripped by the keeper and John Luby blasted the spot kick high into the roof of the net.  Inchicore got to half time level, which was a fair reward for the pressure they had applied throughout the half.

Inchicore came out fighting in the second half and got the go ahead goal five minutes in when Wes McDermott stooped low to head past the goalkeeper after a long throw into the box from Sean Blake.    Ten minutes later and Inchicore moved two goals clear with a superbly crafted solo effort.  New signing Dean Costello showed us some nifty footwork as he weaved his way through the Manortown midfield and coolly slotted the ball past their keeper.

With fifteen minutes remaining it was lights out for Manortown as the goalkeeper failed to deal with a backpass that bobbled over his foot and into the net to give 'The Core' a 4-1 lead.  This goal proved to be the beginning of the craziest fifteen minutes of football I have ever witnessed as somehow Manortown resurrected themselves back to life.

Wes McDermott gets a shot away

Straight from the kick off Manortown equalised as a shot from halfway made its way past Ashley Medina in the home teams goal.  Five minutes later and Manortown were back in the game when a thunderbolt of a shot from twenty five yards out left Medina with no chance as the ball made its way to the roof of the net.  Then right on full time a well worked move down Manortowns right saw the ball delivered in to Inchicores penalty area and their striker was on hand to level the game up a four goals apiece.

The referees whistle was a welcome relief to Inchicores support and also gave us a chance to catch our breaths after a truly astonishing comeback.  It was a great advertisement for LSL football, no doubt about that.  Inchicore gave a great account of themselves but were equally matched by a determined Manortown.  I can safely say I am looking forward to both teams meeting again later in the season.