by Mary-Anne McNulty
maryanne@inishtimes.com

A PROMINENT soccer offical from Inishowen is calling on the peninula’s football fraternity to throw its weight behind Redcastle United this Sunday.
Herbie Barr, an FAI provincial administrator, is encouraging fans, players and committee members from all over Inishowen to come to Foyle Park and cheer on the area’s sole surving FAI Junior Cup hopefuls.
Inish Times Sport has learned officials from Gleneely Colts intend asking permission to play their own game early in order to attend the crucial last 16 clash between Redcastle and Ballyphehane (kick off 1pm).
And Barr is hopeful other clubs will follow suit. He said: “I would encourage as many people as possible to go along and support the team.
“Redcastle have a fantastic opportunity to reach the quarter finals of this year’s competition, and it would be a great boost for Inishowen soccer if a big crowd of well-wishers turned up to cheer them on.”
Inishowen League secretary Diarmuid O’Brien said any clubs wishing to play their games early would be accomodated, providing the referees and opposing sides were agreeable.
And Redcastle manager Bryan Bell says he would be “delighted” to attract support from neighbouring clubs.
He said: “This is one of the biggest games in the history of the club, and we really feel as if we’re flying the flag for Inishowen as well.
“As far as I’m concerned, the more the merrier, and hopefully we’ll put on a good show for everyone that turns up.”
Redcastle officials have decided there will be a gate for the match – probably five euros – in order to cover the cost of paying the match officials coming up from Sligo.
Bell added that confidence in the camp was high, though he admitted they’re sweating about the availability of key player Eddie McIntyre.
The talismanic winger took a knock to his ankle during the side’s 5-0 victory over Carn last Sunday, and it’s now a waiting game to see if he’ll be fit enough to play.
Said Bell: “Obviously, it would be a huge blow not having Eddie. He’s been up to the faith healer and is undergoing intensive physiotherapy, but we’ll just have to wait and see.
“But the whole squad is raring to go. We know Ballyphehane have some quality players, but the lads have been playing brilliantly lately, and at the very least I feel we have a fighting chance.”