Home Farm 5
Kilnamanagh AFC1
JONNY STAPLETON
Home Farm completed a great escape thanks to a cast of stars to rival those who appeared in Escape to Victory.
There were no Pele or Bobby Moore equivalents, but the Dublin club ensured a survival securing come from behind win on the final day of the season with the help of a 54-year-old goalkeeper, a player who made a flying visit for the tie and the goal-scoring antics of the manager’s son.
Veteran former Irish Junior International Austin Hannon manned the nets for the final day win and has played a key role in the tail end of the season, Dylan Clausen flew home from a holiday in Spain to play the 90 minutes before flying back on the same day, while Bradlee Hand (left) scored a vital brace, all subplots that added to a dramatic finale.
The main story was on the pitch as the Whitehall side went into the final day of the season needing a win to guarantee safety – and at one stage looked like it was going to be beyond their reach.
They trailed to an early strike from the already relegated Kilnamangh and were hovering over the trap door even after Hand had leveled proceedings by the break.
Sifaks Mellah’s strike in the second half saw the home side take a big step toward safety before a Hand gave them a push away from the bottom three with his second of the day.
Another veteran then got in on the act, James Duff adding further security before Niall Hoban ensured a five-star win that allowed Home Farm the retention of their top-flight status.
Although they didn’t quite have the same level of ramifications there were also final day wins for Liffey Wanderers, who finished a strong campaign off with a win over the champions, Killester Donnycarney who cemented a third place finish by beating Bluebell as well as three points for Crumlin and Bangor thanks to wins over Lucan and Ballymun respectively. Second place Maynooth finished on a high with as they got the better of Wayside.
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