We all dream of a team of Gary Breens Eamon Dunphys.
Dunphy’s Disciples are real and they are formidable.
The whole way across the Atlantic ocean, the whole way over the plains of America and the RTÉ pundit is as prevalent as he is in Ireland.
A six-aside team of Irish lads, made in the image of one of the country’s most famous football men, are running riot in San Francisco and they’re doing their spiritual father proud.
The squad – made up of seven Galwegians, two Mayo men, one Sligo player, a Dubliner and one English man (who said cross-community is dead?) – finished their season with 12 wins from 12 games before winning the semis and final 5-0 and 4-0 respectively.
The side boast specially-made jerseys paying homage to the notorious Dubliner still calling games as he sees it back home.
“The kit is made in honour of our favourite, most eccentric Irish pundit, Eamon Dunphy,” team player John Kelly explained.
“We designed the crest ourselves, picking a graphic of Dunphy from the 60s during his playing career. And the motto for the team – In Vino Veritas – means In Alcohol We Trust.”
No drink bans anyway. We just hope, for Dunphy’s sake, that there’s no bloody hoofed balls either.
The squad: Conor Larkin, Sean Byrne, David Kelly, John Kelly, Barry McCabe, Adam Scally, Shane Nugent, Sean Prendergast, Danny Fallon, Evan McSweeney, Gavin Birmingham, Stephen Mullaney.
