Longford and Drumlish / Ballinamuck celebrates historic national Community Games soccer triumph

Sunday, May 28, 2023 was a great day for Drumlish/ Ballinamuck as their marvellous U-13 Indoor Soccer squad made history by becoming the first All-Ireland Indoor Community Games soccer team to bring home gold medals to the parish and county.

The team arrived back to a huge welcome in Drumlish and Ballinamuck on Sunday evening. Many thanks to Benny Ledwith for taking the lads through both towns on his truck. Sincere thanks to the very kind sponsorship by Diarmuid Mc Namee of the lovely soccer kit on the day.

The boys were delighted to be told that they were allowed to hold on to their kit as All Ireland winners -this was a lovely gesture by Diarmuid. Finally, a big thank you to Gráinne Mc Namee and Collette Brennan working behind the scenes making sure everything from Jersey design, sponsorship to the kick off all goes to plan!

Congratulations and well done to coaches Bobby Hilton & Ian Maher Team: Oisín Kiernan (Captain), Darragh Murphy, Cian Lawlor, Fionn Mc Cormack Crowe, James Hilton, Donncha Mc Keon & Ryan Connolly.

All-Ireland semi-final
Drumlish Ballinamuck v Abbeydorney/Kilflynn (Kerry)
In a tight and tense battle on Sunday morning last Drumlish/Ballinamuck emerged as 5-3 winners against the Munster champions Kerry played in Kilcullen Community Centre.

The lads took an early lead after a Kerry player played the ball in his own penalty area with Fionn stepping up and making no mistake from the spot sending the keeper the wrong way. The lads were in total control of the game with Fionn, James and Oisín being denied chances of goals as the Kerry goalkeeper pulled off some fantastic saves. Darragh had less to deal with in the Drumlish / Ballinamuck goals but nonetheless made a few crucial saves. In a pulsating first half and on the stroke of half time the Munster champions equalised with a long range effort.

With all to play for, the second half started with the Drumlish /Ballinamuck lads on the front foot again, however after 3 minutes they were rocked when the Kerry lads broke up the pitch to take the lead 2-1. The Drumlish /Ballinamuck lads didn't panic and knuckled down, drove forward, held their composure and scored 4 goals in 8 minutes 3 from James and 1 from Fionn to take total control of the game at 5-2.

Cian, Donnacha and Ryan worked tirelessly in defence and pushed forward at every chance to help Oisin, James and Fionn.

The Munster lads scored again with 3 minutes to go and Darragh denied them of a few more chances pulling off a few top notch saves resulting in Drumlish /Ballinamuck progressing to the All Ireland Final after a competitive nail biting encounter.

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All Ireland Final
Drumlish Ballinamuck (Longford) v Strokestown (Roscommon)
Drumlish /Ballinamuck started the All Ireland final at a very high tempo and were 3-0 up within 6 minutes. The 1st goal came after two minutes with a free kick that came right from the training pitch, Cian flicked the ball to his right and Oisín made no mistake sticking it into the corner of the net. Goal number two arrived in the 4th minute with a neat passing move involving the whole team. The ball made its way to James on the right wing and he drilled it across the goalie into the opposite corner of the net.

Less than 60 seconds later Drumlish/Ballinamuck's goal streak continued with Cian winning the ball back in defence, passing it to Oisin who slipped it through to Fionn on the edge of the circle who neatly sent it into the corner.

Strokestown settled into the game and pulled a goal back in the 9th minute to make it 3-1. Strokestown created two more chances but Darragh denied them with superb saves. The Drumlish /Ballinamuck lads regained their composure again and took control quickly scoring two quick goals in the 12th and 14th James and Fionn respectively after executing some fantastic passing moves.

This put the lads 5-1 up approaching half time. Strokestown hit back with 2 quick goals on the stroke of halftime to leave the score 5-3 at the break.

After some wise words from Bobby and Ian, the second half began with high intensity, a misplaced pass let Strokestown in, but Darragh was to the rescue in goals and made a fantastic save with his foot. Within a minute of that save Drumlish /Ballinamuck extended the lead to 3, with a great passing move by the lads the ball found its way to Fionn and he finished with ease to the back of the net to complete his hattrick.

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The lads played possession football for the remaining minutes of the game. There were epic scenes of joy and celebration in Kilcullen as the referee blew the final whistle.