Sydney Irish football club Phoenix FC is celebrating its 25th anniversary in style, winning this year’s Eastern Suburbs Football Premier Division home-and-away season and booking its place in the Grand Final on September 4.

A stunning 4-1 victory against Sydney Uni sealed the minor premiership while a 3-2 victory over Maroubra in the major semi-final secured the Grand final berth.

The club will face preliminary final winners Dunbar Rovers in the decider.

The dramatic semi-final saw Peter O’Doherty and Frank Mullen score goals for the Irish side in regular time before Cork-man John McGrath kicked a golden goal in the 10th minute of the second period of extra time meaning the teams avoided a penalty shoot out.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” said club President Terry Brady. “We’ve been the best side all year but you never know in a cup match you could get beaten one nil or you could lose on penalties (in the final).”

As well as being the only Irish side in the ESFA, Phoenix FC is one of the smallest.The two-team side was set up in 1986 by Dubliner Louis Carey and Australian Joe Sammit, and is based in Randwick, Sydney.

The majority of the players are Irish and hail from all over the country, including Dublin, Cork, Athlone, Donegal and Belfast.

Brady admitted that the quality of the side varies from year to year. “We currently have a very good side, but we’ve had a few lean years,” he says.

“When there’s no work at home, we get a lot of lads out here. It depends on the economic cycle. Some of the lads now are looking for residency, so it’s not just backpackers coming and going.”

The Phoenix FC reserve team beat Dunbar Rovers 1-0 in a hard fought game to book a place alongside the first team in the Grand Final. They will meet Waverly Old Boys in the final. It’s a great achievement for the club to have reached this stage with both first and reserve grade. 

To find details of the Grand Final, visit www.phoenixfootballclub.com

by Claire McGreal and Catherine Murphy

Saturday, September 4 – Heffron Park

12pm             ESFA PLR GRAND FINAL:   Waverley Old Boys vs Phoenix

2:30pm         ESFA PL GRAND FINAL:     Phoenix vs Dunbar Rovers