The goalkeeper starts the counter. Fast ball to the number six just past halfway. He moves it on immediately to the winger, who drives forward and plays it across into Billy Tabb. The cross comes in higher than expected.
Tabb heads it up to control it. The ball drops. He doesn't think. He's scored bicycle kicks before, practices them in training, tries them in matches when the chance appears. As soon as the ball sits up, instinct takes over.
Full connection. The ball flies past the Cork Hospitals goalkeeper. 2-0 to Grangevale AFC in their first Premier Division match of the season.
"As soon as the ball sat up, I just went for it," Tabb says. "When it left my foot, I knew it had a chance."
His teammates sprint over. The celebration is immediate.
"It all happened really quickly," Tabb says. "I did not really think about it too much."
That's how these moments work. You either hesitate and the chance passes, or you commit and see what happens. Tabb committed.
The goal that traveled
What happened next surprised everyone, including Tabb. The goal went viral online. Then it appeared on Sky Sports News.
"I never imagined it would go as far as it did," Tabb says. "For a goal in local amateur football to be shown alongside goals from the best players in the world is something you would never expect."
"The hype around it for weeks was crazy," Tabb says.
The goal was recorded on Veo, giving Grangevale AFC the footage to share immediately after the match. Within days, people who'd never heard of the Cork Business League were watching Tabb's bicycle kick on repeat.
Premier Division opener
The timing mattered. New level of competition, new expectations. Going 2-0 up with a bicycle kick in that context sends a message.
"To put us 2-0 up, especially in the first league game after moving into the Premier Division, made it even sweeter," Tabb says. "It was one of those moments where everything just clicked."
Grangevale would go on to win 4-2. The bicycle kick was the second goal, early enough in the match to establish dominance, spectacular enough to stick in everyone's memory.
But the goal itself wasn't about the league table or making a statement. It was about recognizing the opportunity and executing.
"I have scored a few bicycle kicks before and it is something I always try in training and even in games when the opportunity is there," Tabb says.
Watching it back
Tabb has watched the footage several times since the match. Each viewing reveals something new.
"Every time I watch it, I notice something different, whether it is the speed of the counter attack, the quality of the cross, or the reactions afterwards," Tabb says.
The height of the ball forcing him to head it up first. The split-second decision to go for the bicycle kick instead of taking a touch.
"It still gives me a buzz seeing it back," Tabb says. "It reminds me how instinctive the moment was and how everything came together so naturally."
"It also adds another layer of pride, because it captures not just the goal but the journey behind it," Tabb says. "Having those moments recorded makes all the effort feel even more worthwhile."
People's Puskas submission
Tabb's goal has been submitted for this year's People's Puskas, which spotlights the best goals scored away from the biggest arenas.
"It is an incredible honour," Tabb says. "Even being mentioned in the same conversation as a People's Puskás nomination is something I never thought would happen, especially coming from local amateur football."
"It is a proud moment not just for me, but for the team, the club, and the league as well," Tabb says.
Cork Business League Premier Division. Counter-attack, high cross, bicycle kick. Sky Sports News. Now People's Puskas.
"When something like that happens, you almost need to see it back to fully believe it," Tabb says.
First game in the top division. Instinct over hesitation. That's how you announce yourself.
