Penalty kings: UKAF win another penalty shootout to beat Irish Defence Forces

The UK Armed Forces men's football team showed their penalty shoot-out prowess to beat the Irish Defence Forces in Dublin and retain the Perpetual Friendship trophy.

The Irish provided a stern test and took the lead through Ronan Keirns, but Aaron Eyett's long-range drive levelled the score in the first half.

RAF winger Josh Randall put UKAF in front in the second half as he broke onto a loose ball and converted past the Irish goalkeeper, but a freak goal from Chris Kenny in the 94th minute took us to penalties where Laurence McCormick was the hero again for UKAF.

• Lucy Farrow scores twice as UKAF overcome resilient Irish to complete a successful 2025
• I nearly lost my leg and now I'm leading the Army's next rugby generation
• Military showjumping final: Forces horses to compete for top crown live with BFBS Sport

It was a quick start to the game with both teams creating chances. Michael Campbell will be kicking himself for his early miss as somehow, he placed his shot wide from only a few yards after reacting first to a saved shot.

At the other end, Brandon Daly met a superb cross from the right in the six-yard box but failed to hit the target and break the deadlock.

The opener came from a well-worked Irish set-piece that was played short before the delivery to the back post found Keirns and the striker made no mistake with a simple finish.

Their lead lasted just six minutes though as Campbell laid it back and Eyett drove the ball into the bottom corner from around 30 yards to make it 1-1.

After the break, the UKAF momentum continued. Randall never gave up the lost cause and it allowed him a one-on-one opportunity which he took well to give UKAF the lead.

However, UKAF's victory wasn't complete as the Irish fought back. McCormick did well to deny Aiden Friel from a free-kick but deep into injury time, the Navy goalkeeper would be beaten.

A freakish flicked header by Kenny caught McCormack out completely and the Irish could celebrate a late leveller.

The game went to penalties from there and misses from Adrian Rafferty and Danny Kerr took it to sudden death at 4-4. The Army's Jack Barber converted his spotkick but the Irish full-back Dale Loughnane saw his penalty saved by McCormick to give UKAF the win.