Irish Bhoys from the Bronx ready to rule America

The Bhoys from the Bronx are anchored by the likes of defensive linchpin Sean Kelly, the former Arsenal and Cork City centre-half.

Twenty years ago it began, like so many others, as an immigrant caucus in the heavily Irish neighbourhoods of the Bronx. Pub chat in Woodlawn begot a new football club. Security in recognising the accents and the gearbags from home, writes Fergus Jayes.

Now? Lansdowne Bhoys are performing at high-wire levels unimaginable in 1997. True, the accents are as likely to be Caribbean as Cavan, but the culture and ethos is unmistakably Irish. And this weekend, they may cap it all off by being crowned the best amateur soccer team in the United States.