Pentecost | Oscar® Nominated Short Film about a football fan in trouble for misbehaving in church

Ireland, 1977. Eleven-year-old Damian Lynch is called in at the last moment to serve as an altar boy at an important mass in the local parish. Following his last appearance as an altar boy, when he knocked Father O'Toole off the altar, he faces a choice: either conform to the status quo or serve an extended ban from his passion in life, football.
Directed by Peter McDonald
Written by Peter McDonald
Produced by Eimear O'Kane
Starring Michael McElhatton (Game of Thrones), Scott Graham, Don Wycherley, Eamon Hunt, and Des Nealon.
Distributed exclusively by Network Ireland Television (NITV) worldwide. Visit our website www.networkirelandtelevision.com.
Follow us on Instagram for NITV updates: / networkirelandtelevision

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

The parallel of the priest's pep talk with a coach's was brilliant.

[@minake5632]

Unpredictable ending.... Love how the writer executed his mind child. Bravo!!!

[@marisamartin3664]

Love the melodrama--'we lost him on a technicality" hilarious

[@garywagner2466]

I’m not a football fan, but the sport / church parallels were very well done. The look on the bishop’s face at the end was priceless. That kid was me when I was forced to go to church against my better judgement.

[@dazedconfused5019]

@garywagner2466: What was your judgement as a kid? Your comment and the short was very good, both gave me a good laugh and I can't stop laughing. As a kid the way I viewed going to school and church . . . if you stayed home you would have chores.

[@garywagner2466]

@@dazedconfused5019, I hated church but my family insisted. I even went to special sessions to help me find the error of my ways. Didn’t work. Eventually just stopped going, and the family left me to the devil. That’s when I really started living. My aunt and uncle are still the biggest, nastiest, most judgemental “religious” people I’ve ever known - in their nineties now. Apparently, God doesn’t even want them.

[@bobjary9382]

Good to hear the unmistakable voice of Fergal Sharkey at the end . I cant connect with football either, I just dont have the gene. My kids used to play or watch the dreary stuff on tv all the time, I really tried, but it just doesnt happen. However ...I almost got to my feet when the lad began to take that kick ! It really reminded me of The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. Tom Courtney's charachter is way ahead of the field in the big event but 20 yards short of the line he just stops, and stares at his 'elders and betters' . The crowd in that scene is something quite extraordinary to watch.

[@drophammer776]

🤣🤣🤣🤣 Growing up in the 80's, the expression of the Kid's Dad. I remember when I was 8yrs old goofing around in bathroom located above the Sanctuary during Christmas Play for a small Church. Flooded all the toilets that soaked through the old floorboards raining on Churchgoers sitting in pews. Grounded for a week and my butt was cherry red.

[@sonyabolus9659]

I honestly thought it was a fantasy sequence at the end. Symbolic of him coming through for the “team” and scoring the winning goal by doing so well. Especially with the inner radio commentary Damien heard as he set up for the kick. And the bishop seemed like he was almost cheering…thrilled by the goal. I wonder if this was intended at all.

[@billk9856]

The moment between the father and son at the end was wonderful

[@sergeyd5777]

To the film creator: may all your "problems" in life be limited to this scenario.

[@silverfirefly8168]

A wonderful, hilarious short film about following one’s dream. Brilliant! 😊

[@TheWorld-xs8ly]

I can’t believe he did that after the priest vouched for him 😂😅

[@nvpagro6295]

The more you pressurise something, the more you’ll end up expressing that 😂😂. The audio editing of what recurred in the boy’s mind was amazing!

[@celtica2011]

Everytime the incense censer comes out at church, I have to stifle a chuckle.

[@lovethatagave]

Oh lord what a wonderful film! Thank you Peter McDonald!

[@Shubham-wi6ky]

3:52 song name plz???

[@YouTubeallowedmynametobestolen]

7:00 -- "And if you keep a clean sheet, you will earn yourself guaranteed first-team selection for noon Mass on Sundays. And if you don't come in, well then, you're pretty much finished in this town." This is not a spoiler, because I don't know whether I'm right or wrong, but here's what I'm thinking the kid is thinking: "OK, if I do well, I'll have to do altar boy duty every frickin' Sunday from now on. And I HATE altar boy duty! All I have to do to get out of it forever is to screw up once today." But he has to balance his hate of being an altar boy against his love of football.

[@jujibonn]

Loved this hilarious short film! 😂😂😂 Hope it wins the Oscar!

[@maryberry6067]

Brought a smile to my face. Well done.

[@YM-wj2dr]

I laughed! 😆 Couldn't help it. Shouldn't force religion down a kid's throat.

[@edenjs1503]

Whirling around my head throughout was the Father Ted theme. Loved it!

[@DeepakAnand_IN]

unpredictable ending, makes it a must watch.

[@dougstroudphotography]

Loved it!

[@arliepics4364]

My own Dad's name was Finbar and this is the first time I've heard it in a film. There was a St. Finbar's in NYC years ago. Dad hated that kids called him "Finbar, chocolate bar." He would have loved this one.

[@austinsheeran2125]

A pure joy to watch.

[@EMMYK1916]

"We lost him on a technicality, Who's his replacement", the pre mass warm up...get the football reference now lads?

[@jaxstorey6734]

I was chuckling when the priest did the warm-up, knowing it was meant to be like pre-game warm up. 😆

[@ayanghosh9903]

You will never walk alone...

[@trooper4860]

Thanks for uploading. Made my day!

[@glen7228]

And Damian goes on to lead the greatest punk rock band to ever come out of Ireland.

[@sereezee]

a - ma - zing !!!!! Super enjoyed!

[@mmess65]

Brilliant 🙏

[@countteddy]

brilliant !

[@raypitcher9767]

Love it, Goal in one .............

[@aquarara2610]

BELLISSIMOO!!!

[@fredkeller3813]

I'm all for being a rebel....respectfully. IF this was my son, he would never see football again until he moved out. Granted, there was TOO much pressure on the altar boys but....this....never!

[@iaincphotography6051]

Superb.

[@tommysoprano1441]

This is amazing

[@henlokitty3358]

Really nice short film. One of my favourites. The boy is so adorable. 👍👍👍

[@SandorFule]

My favorit on the channel!

[@johnkilcher477]

For you Brian... from the biergarten, rest in peace.

[@constancewalsh3646]

I'm shrieking! you go, boy!

[@tomcoryell]

“Textbook!”

[@nataliya2641]

Thanks. Have a great day.

[@synopsis_news]

hahhahahha......killed it boy!!!! 🤣

[@zoeastro]

Ha ha! Brilliant!

[@goyisherebbe]

I'm American-Israeli Jewish and got it perfectly. It was a great job. I saw the football analogy and everything. Fine job.

[@aaropajari7058]

That young boy looks strikingly like a young Harry Kane.

[@godfreyzilla8608]

I'm beginning to believe that NITV Shorts was created just for me. I've yet to watch a film I do not like. In the mid 80's there was a small group of folk musicians who would perform at our Parrish during Sunday Mass. Our youngest son was about 20 months old and loved going to the "guitar mass", as he called it. As an infant he had been very colic and I would comfort him at night by walking with him and softly singing songs I knew to distract him until he felt better and could sleep. One Sunday our Monsignor, straight out of the Land of Ire, began to lead us in singing The Lord's Prayer. I was holding my son up so he could see the Monsignor well when he burst out with the opening versus of Barbara Ann by The Beach Boys. The monsignor glared at him and the next Sunday, to my wife's dismay, he was banished to a sound proof room in the back of the church. Of course it was all "his father's fault" as my wife put it.

[@SDCDIABLO]

This is how Ramsay Bolton got so messed up, jeeze, it all makes sense now! But seriously good short!

[@apistosig4173]

Fabulous :-))))))

[@AlannahConroy-rb6ym]

My mum produced this and was nominated for the orcer

[@nhiarslain2422]

Makes me smile! That’a boy!

[@biffa1234100]

fantastic love that kinda spirit definitely be my favourite cousin

[@lorenzoramirez2538]

Love it!

[@alinalopez8135]

Wonderfully clever, funny and touching…

[@nazokatmurodova2964]

[@robingoldman5944]

Now that was funny!

[@oldauntzibby4395]

For those in the comments who say they didn't understand the movie, let's discuss the action and the ending. Beware of spoiler alerts. Here's how I see it: Superficially: Damien didn't want to be an altar boy. If he had done the Archbishop's Mass job perfectly, he was going to be "first team selection" for every Sunday from then on. So he had a choice: do a good job and be stuck as an altar boy for a long time, or do a poor job and not have to be an altar boy again, but also be banned from football by his father. If you look for deeper themes: The whole movie has a football theme more than a religious theme, with the selection of altar boys being like selecting team positions, and the pep talk before the Mass being like something a coach would say to their team before a game. Note the movie is set in 1977 when Liverpool is going to play in the Cup match. Note also that Damien's football poster is of Tommy Smith, who scored the winning goal to win that 1977 Cup match at what was effectively the end of his career. What else do you all have to add? Edited to change alter boy to the correct altar boy. Oops. 😂

[@rossitherhodie5659]

We saw all that thank you...

[@marisamoretti7908]

I'd like to add that Damien did the perfect choice. Thanks for your analysis and the extra information which those who are not from England don't know ( 1977's Liverpool Cup)

[@oldauntzibby4395]

@@marisamoretti7908 I wonder what choice I would have made. Probably I would have made the proper choice and hated every minute and then as an adult complained about it. Ha! Of course in those days girls couldn't be altar boys.

[@fantuzastic]

I’m from Detroit, USA. I fully understood the film and would probably understand it no matter where I was from. But, the added insights provided here by Brits enabled me to FEEL it as I watched it again!

[@elvisduck4014]

7:46 " Go out there and have the MASS of your lives " Brilliant.

[@UserUser-ww2nj]

Good lad 😂😂

[@jennl8921]

Wow 😲

[@m-cparadis]

So great!

[@markeloydi4128]

jajaja muy bueno!

[@dypylika]

I Love this short film 😊😊

[@johnkilcher477]

I've watched this a few times, and, knowing a few died in the wool "Pool fans.... priceless.

[@kams9668]

Papi quiero ser futbolista no monaguillo.. Asi que goooooooooool!!!! 😂

[@raymondo162]

really really good film

[@HeySenthil]

There are two types religions in this world: One is God based and the second one is ball based. A.K.A football.

[@user-jr2cn1wg4c]

Hello, I'm sorry to bother you, I have followed you for 7 years. we are from other countries and English is our second language. there's a bit of a question and we don't understand, how to use "would have been doing"? How do us use these 4 words when they are connected together? For example ： 1 I would have been wearing my red dress if I had washed it. 2 He would have been working in Dubai if he hadn't taken the job in London. (We've watched your video, but there's so little content to understand how to use it.) Looking forward to your reply,thanks

[@NITVShorts]

Both of your examples are perfect!

[@user-jr2cn1wg4c]

@@NITVShorts Can you help me to explain it ?where are you come from?US?

[@sparklejuice]

"Would have been doing" is a conditional. Notice how you use "if" later in the sentence. "if" A happened earlier, B "would have" happened next. In this case, A did not happen, so B also did not happen. If you had washed your red dress, you would be wearing it now. You are not wearing it when you spoke the sentence. I hope this helps.

[@Prof.Tarfeather]

HOLY CRAP! I'd die if I was his Mother! Reading the comments... yes as a movie its funny. In real life, if it was your child how would you feel for the blatant unprovoked disrespect?

[@garywagner2466]

Missed the whole point. Well done.

[@IqbalSuryana]

Watch til the end.

[@jurijnowicki8769]

Yes, you did it, boy! 😃😂😁🤣😁 G-o-a-l! ⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️⚽️

[@aaropajari7058]

Two competing religions. I'm glad that the real one won out in the end.

[@kathreilly7050]

💜💜🎉

[@heidejansohn]

simply great,like

[@JarJoe92]

No body can bend your dream

[@punatchimecheng7930]

Love the kid ⚽️🤟🏿❤😍

[@PictureHouseCinema]

with angelic grace, ...boot!

[@ciancollins7]

Make more videos there 👍

[@AnalytiCritic]

Film producers have an obligation to contribute with good social messages. Then they can take credit for what's good about their society, religion, country, world. Or as in this case, they can pollute, and take the blame for adding to what's wrong in their society, religion, country, world. Don't complain when things don't go right, when you add, enjoy, or encourage rubbish, & believe you deserve IT when it comes around!! A definite👎for adding insult to injury in the Catholic church. I'm not Catholic, but I consider it to be a religion worthy of respect!! A Point✍of View to consider!!

[@LcdDrmr]

He only has to do what they want and he ends up having to be an altar boy every Sunday indefinitely, a job which he hates. How is this outcome a "good social message"? This would only breed resentment and shame within that he didn't stand up for himself when he could have. The fact that religion (or other social institutions) can strip one of their personal integrity is only a more general issue here. Curious what makes any religion "worth of respect"---for what?

[@AnalytiCritic]

​@@LcdDrmr First: READ & Comprehend CORRECTLY B4 you argue!! I did NOT say this was a "good social message", I gave a thumbs DOWN!! Secondly, Children who exercise disrespect & aggression, are not "standing up for themselves" but "misbehaving" - As children, parents are held responsible for them by LAW, and that's why they're called "minors". Thirdly it is clear to me that you have a problem with comprehension, grammar & respect, so I see no point in explaining why "any religion" is WORTHY of respect. Lastly, Read, Relate, & Realize BEFORE you Assume & React. Because when you "AssUme", you make an Ass out of U & Me!!🙄

[@LcdDrmr]

​@@AnalytiCritic "I did NOT say this was a "good social message", I gave a thumbs DOWN!!" I think you did not comprehend my post correctly: "He only has to do what they want and he ends up having to be an altar boy every Sunday indefinitely, a job which he hates. How is this outcome a "good social message"?" "this outcome" is referring to the one you are promoting, the opposite of what happens in the video. I said how is that outcome, the one you prefer, the one that makes him suffer a bad outcome from his point of view, a good social message? Yes, he did misbehave, and outrageously so as the filmmaker intended, which is what makes it funny (even if you don't find it so). He also knew he would be punished and it was his right to make that choice, wasn't it? "I see no point in explaining why "any religion" is WORTHY of respect" So, you can't?? Neither can I, because they aren't.

[@AnalytiCritic]

@@LcdDrmr Again you AssUme!! "I see no point" doesn't mean "I can't", but I simply WON'T!!!!! - Arguing with a Fool only makes two. If winning is what it's about!? ENOUGH IS ENOUGH - This Ends HERE!!!!!

[@LcdDrmr]

@@AnalytiCritic Lol, that's okay. Wish you well and have a Merry Christmas.

[@diannaprince6497]

Good lad 😂

[@Tankofan1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3rKd5Kgaql5pbs

[@creativeminds_cm]

I too did not get it

[@gabrielhaven1394]

Ha ha ha....good one kid..😂😂😂😂😂

[@ppippi_ZtoH]

Pleasant ending !!!.♡♡♡

[@Catiting33]

🤣🤣🤣 NOOOOO!!!!

[@donaljewelry9152]

🤓🤓🤓😍😍😍😍

[@princessaduke217]

I bet it’s his imagination 😃😄

[@joeowens6180]

Well, whatever it was, it certainly wasn't Catholic. Our Lord never used Rugby (of as they call it "football" as any kind of symbolism regarding the celebration of Holy Mass. I suppose in a pagan world (especially in Ireland) this passes for humor. To me, it was virtually sacrilegious. And what's with the priest being called "Mr."? Not to mention his insane, unkempt hair. Bah. Go pick on the Baptists!

[@jodyfulford8215]

Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@garywagner2466]

Not rugby. Football or soccer. I hope you cure your constipation.

[@Shubham-wi6ky]

3:52 song name plz

[@afborchert]

This is based on “Ode to Joy” from symphony no. 9 by Ludwig van Beethoven.

[@Shubham-wi6ky]

@@afborchert thank you. By the way where are u from?

[@afborchert]

@@Shubham-wi6ky From Lonsee, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.

[@Shubham-wi6ky]

@@afborchert can I have your Instagram I'd?

[@Hambastegy]

❤️❤️❤️

[@yaellenkinski7650]

Didn’t get it

[@thomassmith6344]

Hello yeal

[@erinsolis5942]

If he did well on the "second chance" they gave him, he would have to be altar boy FOREVER even though he told his dad he didn't want to. So he sacrificed his opportunity to watch the Football Finals so that he was not tied down to misery his whole childhood. Smart kid! Adults should stop selling their souls in this way, too!

[@raymondo162]

dear oh dear. the plot wasn't sooooooo difficult to follow ??

[@Tankofan1]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/a3rKd5Kgaql5pbs

[@gerrigates4437]

So gooood😎

[@andreass6013]

😄 Great !! 😆

[@dd4run]

Hilarious! Thanks for a lol at 3am!

[@loveislove7737]

Lời hát của Đức Phúc nghe rất là nhẹ nhàng luôn.

[@TermsDecoded]

Don't do it boy 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HettieB5270]

😁😁 No disrespect, but Iove the ending.....

[@jenniferpower981]

Never thought I'd see 'Rats',(Paths to Freedom),turning to religion,it's a far cry from 'The Celtic tiger rap',so it t'is..A great little short film,The Undertones, 'My perfect Cousin',for the outro is perfection.

[@iquencymawnai9401]

There is time to everything, there is time to play football ,there is time to go to church also because God give talents to play football we have to play but we have to remember to go church also like Sunday school 😊🙏❤

[@margafrantz4406]

Textbook! 😂

[@nofuchu]

with such simplicity.. the EPL is won.. Liverrrpoooll.. Liverpool ynwa

[@carmenparker1880]

👍👍⚽️⚽️⚽️

[@sandrajoyce6922]

A poor boy being abused

[@rogergeyer9851]

As a child who was well behaved 99% of the time, two things would totally enrage me: 1). Being falsely accused for doing something I didn't do, and not believed when I professed innocence (and I NEVER lied beyond the normal white social lies people tell to avoid hurting peoples' feelings). 2). An ordinary isolated accident, like happened to this boy, being treated like it was a big damn deal. Not that I'd necessarily act on my rage, but man, the injustice. I can imagine how the people who are falsely jailed (that are actually innocent) must feel from a system that is "graded" on conviction rates, and so is happy to railroad people for lesser sentences, etc. all too often.

[@christygodfrey1752]

I get it was the plot of the movie but somethings didn't make sense, why would the Bishop be holding the processional cross and not one of the altar boys at the front

[@EMMYK1916]

Ah relax,its a short, not a bloody documentary.

[@johncristiano4675]

Ich kommt nicht am Sonntag 🙂. sind sie müss ehrlich sein. dann ich komm selbst euch