The Thriller In Ballyer

I was back to watch Inchicores under 21 team again as I had to head to Belfast on Sunday for a race, denying me the chance to see some LSL Premier Sunday action.  It was a group decider in The William Sheeran Cup as Inchicore travelled to 'The Lawns' in Ballyfermot to take on the all conquering Ballyfermot United.

Keifer Byrne thwarts a Ballyfermot attavk

It took less than a minute for the home team to gain the lead as they played the first half with a very strong wind behind their backs.  It was an unfortunate deflection from goalkeeper Martin Carroll that struck Ballyfermots striker and headed straight to the back of the net.  You could say it was a bad start and there was still a long way to go.  Things got worse minutes later when a penalty was conceded and Ballyfermot doubled their lead.  On the half hour mark it looked like the game was over as a contest when the home team, with a vociferous crowd egging them on, scored a third after some neat work down their left flank.

Inchicore were thrown a lifeline as halftime approached when the mrecurial Keifer Byrne ghosted through 'Ballyers' defence and set up Caomh McAuley who blasted the ball into the roof of the net from close range.  Ballyfermots keeper then made a fine save on the stroke of halftime and early in the second half to keep the margin at two goals.  Inchicore then had Martin Carroll to thank as he pulled off a tremendous save, tipping a dipping effort onto the post that bounced away to safety.  Gareth Byrne was shifted to a midfield position as  the visitors upped the tempo and began to pile on the pressure.  The pressure paid off when star midfielder Keifer Byrne grabbed a goal after sprinting past the home teams defence and lifted the ball over the goalkeepers head.

Karl Timms looks to beat his marker

With five minutes remaining Ballyfermot were hanging on for dear life as the impossible was beginning to look possible.  A red card for a Ballyfermot defender gave Inchicore hope as time ticked away, Keifer Byrne sent the resulting free kick over the bar but made no mistake moments later when played through one on one with the goalkeeper.  The leveller stunned the home crowd into silence and sent Inchicore and their supporters into raptures.

Ballyfermot then had one last chance to take all three points when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of Inchicores penalty area.  The free kick was well struck but the crossbar came to 'The Cores' rescue.  The full time whistle was greeted with howls of delight from Tomo Byrne and his young team as they pulled off one of the greatest comebacks I have ever seen.

The comeback is complete

It was truly one of the greatest games I have witnessed, reminding me of another Inchicore team who came back from three goals down when St Patricks Athletic narrowly lost 4-3 against Slovan Bratislava.  It even rivalled Liverpool FCs' miracle in Istanbul for drama.  Now with qualification for the next round of the cup is their more to come from Inchicores young charges??