Well-travelled Balrath prepare for final showdown

SOCCER Meath side have shown their mettle on way to national decider

To reach an All-Ireland final, in any sport at any level, invariably requires lots of different qualities - and the players from Balrath FC u-12 girls have shown the combination of steel and skill required to reach that lofty destination.

They have qualified for an SFAI national decider in their age group against Galway side, Colga FC at the home of Wayside Celtic in Kilternan, Dublin on Saturday 11th May, 1.30pm. It's a big occasion for the players, their families and the club.

It has been a long, hard rocky road for the Meath side to get to this stage of the competition - but no matter what challenge they faced the Balrath girls have prevailed, displaying plenty of that character and talent along the way.

In round 32, for instance, they welcomed Torro Utd and won 5-0 in what was a home game. In round 16 again the girls in red again had home advantage. Again they won, 3-2 after a hard, testing, demanding slog.

The quarter-finals beckoned and this time the Meath side hit the road. They made their way to the sunny south-east to take on Wexford side, Ballinadaggin. This proved to be another test of character. A different kind of test but they came through, winning 1-0.

The defensive fortitude they had shown in that encounter was in evidence once more in the semi-final.

Once again the Balrath players, and their hardy band of loyal supporters, had to set off on their travels. This time to the other side of the country, to Galway.

In 'the capital of the West' they faced wet and windy conditions and a very capable Clegmore/Claregalway team. "That was probably the most difficult assignment of the whole lot," recalls the Balrath FC manager Keith Matthews who is assisted by Patrick Cassidy. "Clegmore/Claregalway are a very good side and they had a couple of hundred supporters backing them all the way, over there. Conditions could hardly have been more difficult for our players."

Both sides had chances to win the topsy-turvy contest but no goals were scored - at least not until extra time when Balrath FC's Emmie Matthews found the net for the winners. It was then Balrath shut up shop defensively to record a famous victory. "We have a very good goalkeeper and defence and we held out," recalls the manager. The final beckoned.

Getting to the SFAI decider wasn't part of some overall strategy. Balrath just took it in age-old fashion - one game at a time - until the final was reached.

"We had no expectations, SFAI cup finals are for the really top clubs with lots of players and resources. For a club like Balrath to even get to a quarter-final or semi-final it's a massive thing, never mind a final," added manager Matthews.

He says it's very important in keeping training varied and interesting. He also points to something else that has helped Balrath travel far this season. "We have the use of great training facilities in Kentstown Village.

“Any team that visits us can't believe the facilities we have. The astro pitch there allowed us to train in recent months, during the wet weather. Otherwise we would have been in difficulty."

Balrath FC also have their own ground with the club continuing to offer youngsters the chance to fulfil their full potential as footballers, as people. There motto is that all are welcome. Everyone gets a chance to play the beautiful game.

The strength of that approach is seen in the way one of their teams is now in an All-Ireland final; a major milestone for any footballer. "The players probably won't fully appreciate what that means until years to come," adds Keith Matthews.

"I played in a schools final about 30 years ago and it still means a lot to me."

Balrath are aiming for the big time.

The Balrath squad is: Hannah Barry, Sadhbh Walsh, Emmie Matthews, Ellie Cassidy, Grace Durcan, Aimee Saad, Poppy Kiernan, Scarlett Kiernan, Mia Kavanagh, Ellie McGuirk, Holly O'Neill, Ellie Slator, Timea Kiminska, Kayla Donoghue, Ava Coogan, Lily Hunt.