IRELAND'S Defence Forces side exited the CISM World Cup despite a 6-1 win highlighted by an incredibe opening goal in Oman this evening.
In the other game in the group Qatar and Mali played out a scoreless draw so Ireland finish the group in third place with Qatar already qualified with two wins, and Mali going through to the quarter finals on five points.
Despite the disappointment of their exit, the Irish can be proud of their displays in Oman this week and the opening goal from Pte Derek Walsh, 7 Inf Bn (Usher Celtic) was so impressive it could easily go on to become a Puskas Award nominee at the end of the year.
The game started with Ireland going at the USA from the kick-off, with a few shots on target within the first two minutes and were awarded two free kicks from 25 yards in the first five minutes – so we knew goals were coming. Pte Derek Walsh, 7 Inf Bn (Usher Celtic) scored a fabulous goal from play in the 16th minute, and the Irish looked like scoring again, with their new system working.
The USA made a substitution on 32nd minute to try cope with the Irish pressure. Ireland went close again on 44th and 45th minutes but the game broke for halftime at 0-1.
In the second half Pte Ricky Fox, 3 Inf Bn (Shamrock Rovers) scored two goals from the penalty spot, the first on the 50th and second on 58th minute, making it 3 nil. Ireland were on fire.
Pte Walsh, 7 Inf Bn (Usher Celtic) scored his second in the 60th, from here the game was slowing down slightly, everyone was feeling the heat, with water being taken on when play stopped. Pte Craig Shortt, 1 Inf Bn (Birr Town) got Ireland's fifth in the 84th minute, and Ireland had their only lapse in concentration straight after scoring, as they conceded on the 85th with the USA’s only goal. Substitute Pte Sean Gannon, 7 Inf Bn (Dublin Central FC) finished off the scoring on the 90th minute to end the game on a high.
In the post-match press conference, both team managers thanked the host nation Oman for a wonderful tournament and their hospitality. The USA team manager said, “These were two good military teams.”
The Irish team manager Capt Ian Snee thanked his staff and players and especially their families and the travelling supports. He continued. “All my players were fantastic, very disciplined. This tournament is of a huge benefit to my team and staff. We will now look forward to the 3rd CISM World Cup in China in 2019.”
The CISM Tournament will be broadcast live on Oman Live and Oman Sport TV Channels, and the tournament has its own dedicated website: http://cismoman2017.om
Team Selection 21st January 2017
1. Cpl Darren Kelly, 2 Bde MP Coy (Cherry Orchard FC)
2. Pte Sean Guerins, 12 Inf Bn (BT Harps)
4. Pte Mark Horgan, 1 Bde CIS Coy (Avondale)
15. Pte Keith Duffy, 28 Inf Bn (Ballina Town)
11. Armn Aidan Friel, No 1 Ops Wing (Longford Town)
10. Cpl Michael O’Shea, 1 Bde MP Coy (Cobh Wanderers)
13. Pte Craig Shortt, 1 Inf Bn (Birr Town)
3. Pte Ricky Fox, 3 Inf Bn (Shamrock Rovers)
8. Pte Craig Wall, 3 Inf Bn (Freebooters)
5. Tpr Christopher Kenny, 1 Armd Car Sqn (Sligo Rovers)
17. Pte Derek Walsh, 7 Inf Bn (Usher Celtic)
Subs:
20. Gnr David Stack, 1 Bde Arty Regt (Cobh Wanderers)
6. Pte Shane Dempsey, 3 Inf Bn (Wexford Youths)
12. Gnr Ross MacCarthy, 1 Bde Arty Regt (Youghal United)
7. Pte Sean Gannon, 7 Inf Bn (Dublin Central FC)
9. Pte Jody Dillon, 1 Mech Inf Coy (Portlaoise AFC)
14. Lt Richard Barber, 27 Inf Bn (St James Gate)
18. Cpl David Sweeney, 1 Bde Tpt Coy (Ballincollig FC)
19. Pte Ian Lordan, 12 Inf Bn (Greenwood FC)
16. Pte Stephen Whelan, 7 Inf Bn (St Paul’s Artane)
23. Lt Kenneth Deegan, Tpt Gp/Sch (Newbridge Town)