U13s division 4 football league match, Saturday 25th June

St. Finians vs Erin’s Isle

Saturday afternoon and the lights are low, looking out for a place to go. The place to go was Erin’s Isle as our u13s catapulted into Finglas for a crunch fixture against the dancing queens of Erin’s Isle.

Mamma Mia, here we go again was the cry from a packed side line. The line-up called out & the boys were saying take a chance take a chance take a ch-ch-ch-chance on me. The anticipation built up, the noise level increased & everyone wanted to know can you hear the drums Fernando as the ball was thrown in. It felt like Waterloo & we couldn’t escape if we wanted to but the boys promised to love us for ever more.

In a competitive first half, our boys started off like a super trouper, beams are gonna blind me and took the game to our opponents. Approaching half time, the boys jumped into a 6 point lead & all Erin’s Isle could say was so when you're near me darling, can't you hear me S.O.S.

In a rousing half time speech, our coaches didn’t want to talk, about the things we've gone through, though it's hurting me, now it's history. The coaches stared the boys square in their eyes & said Chiquitita, tell me the truth as we asked for even more effort. Fresh legs were needed & a call went out to gimme gimme gimme a sub after midnight, won't somebody help me chase the shadows away.

To their credit, our opponents didn’t panic & played some lovely football to overturn the deficit & take a 7 point lead with the final quarter approaching. The moment of truth had arrived – step up or capitulate. The subs lined up along the side line saying if you change your mind, I'm the first in line, honey I'm still free. Our boys must believe in angels as they clawed their way back into the match & spent the last 10 minutes encamped in the Erin’s Isle half. Could the boys do it ? We needed to find a rhythm, could we feel the beat of the tambourine ? Oh yeah. There was something in the air that night, the stars were bright, Fernando. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 unanswered points brought us back within one score of the win but sadly the final whistle blew marking a 1 point win for Erin’s Isle.

Knowing me, knowing you (ah-ha), there was nothing we could do. The winner takes it all but the loser was definitely standing tall.

Our thanks to the massive support on the side line from the Finians army that made the trip over.