A Premier League-Worthy Goal in Ireland's St Canice’s Credit Union Premier Division
Frederik Hvillum
In the match between Evergreen B and Bridge United AFC, the away team defender Josh Barcoe scored a goal that brought back memories of a Premier League classic from 2000.
Back in March 2000, Paul Scholes scored one of the most legendary goals in a Manchester United shirt when he volleyed home from a David Beckham corner against Bradford City. It has since gone down in history as one of the greatest corner goals ever scored.
At Evergreen Park, a short drive outside Kilkenny, Ireland, spectators were briefly transported back to that Premier League moment in 2000. But this time, Paul Scholes was replaced by Josh Barcoe, Beckham by Marty Dalton, and the teams facing each other were Bridge United AFC, playing away against Evergreen B in the St Canice’s Credit Union Premier Division.
Defender Josh Barcoe from the away team stood waiting outside the box as teammate Marty Dalton ran up to prepare for the corner kick. They were trailing 1-0 and had been chasing an equalizer throughout the match, but the ball just wouldn't go in despite countless chances.
"Usually I don't go forward for corners, but I decided to step up. No one marked me, so I decided to shout for it, and fortunately for me, Marty Dalton picked me out on the edge of the box. I was actually going to take a touch, but I decided to just hit it and hope for the best," says Bridge United AFC's number six.
He struck the ball perfectly, and it curved beautifully into the corner past a helpless goalkeeper who could only watch.
"The goal wasn't really planned, I just saw the opportunity to step forward for the corner, and luckily the ball landed at my feet."
The entire bench ran onto the pitch to celebrate the equalizer with the players – a moment that, like all of the team's goals, was captured by the Veo camera on the sideline. The match would end 1-1, with Josh's strike proving to be the crucial equalizer.
"I was happy the camera was there to capture it. I might never score a goal like that again, and it's nice to be able to show people the goal," he says, continuing: "I've watched back the whole game, but I won't lie, I've watched my goal on repeat a couple of times. I genuinely still can't believe I've scored it."
"I'm glad to have it documented because it's always nice to go back and watch some of your best moments on the pitch, as well as the bad ones," concludes the goalscorer.
