After a weekend that involved penalty drama for two sides, we’ve got the finalists for this year’s KCLR McCalmont Cup.
Derdimus Park played host both cup semi-finals this past weekend with Division 3 side Evergreen 46 taking on Premier Division side Callan United. While Callan’s league form hasn’t been the best this year, they did have some good results in the cup before Sunday. seeing off Castlewarren in the last 16 and Thomastown United A in the quarter-finals last month.
For Evergreen 46, a bye through the first round and last 16 landed them with a quarter-final against Highview Athletic where defeat was overturned reportedly due to Highview fielding an ineligible player.
On the day though is where results count and with the game scoreless at half time, Callan got the go-ahead on 51 minutes before Mark Cashin pulled one back for Evergreen to level matters with a half hour to play. The Kells Road side had a chance to take the win early on 70 minutes with a penalty but it was duly saved, the sides failing to be separated on 90 minutes. Seamus Cummins put Evergreen 46 into the lead in extra time, getting his head on the end of a long free kick floated into the six-yard box but for Callan to equalise and force penalties. With the shootout poised at 4-3 in favour of Evergreen, Vinny O’Grady got down low to his right and with the aid of the post kept out Callan’s last penalty to book their place in the final.
They’ll be joined by Freebooters who got to renew acquaintances with Deen Celtic in the second game of the day on Sunday where goals from Harry Jordan and Sean Bolger helped the city club get the better of the Comer side again this year.
Having finished as runners-up in Division 1 this season and losing out in the Billy Leahy Memorial Cup final to St. Canice’s, it was the unfortunate case of the third time not being a charm for Deen Celtic having already claimed KCLR McCalmont Cup wins over Spa United, St. Canice’s and Clover United on the way to the semi-finals.
This year’s KCLR McCalmont Cup final has been penciled in for Sunday 28 May, throw-in time TBC.
