Evergreen advance in Junior Cup after stellar performance

A dominant second half display saw Evergreen march into the last 16 of the FAI Junior Cup at the expense of a youthful Westport FC in a stormy Castlebar last Sunday afternoon.

The Kilkenny side are aiming to win their first title in the competition and helped by goals from David Grincell (2), Mikey Drennan and Jamie Owens, they advanced to the next round where St Michael’s of Tipperary will be the opposition.

While they were good going forward, Westport were not commanding in either box, and set-plays are a continuing problem for them. The absence of Joe Lawless through injury, cost them dearly.

In the opening minutes, on Sunday, Adam Nugent fired a shot at Evergreen’s Nathan Owens. It was a good strike of the ball, though it was directly at the ’keeper.

Nevertheless, Owens spilled the ball. At this stage in the FAI Cup, against a fancied side who had won their league for the past six years and had some League of Ireland players on the park, you need to be taking these chances.

Evergreen had most of the first half possession but were unable to capitalise on it. Instead they contained Westport, checking them out, seeing what they were made of.

Evergreen were a different proposition in the second half, however.

Two goals just under the hour mark, and the job was done. The first, by David Grincell, came as a result of a defensive lapse which saw the striker free for Ben Hickey’s cross. He cut in and shot past Gary Cunningham, on fifty-five minutes.

Westport had left themselves open and were punished.

The second goal second came from a corner, which ended up in the Westport net as Grincell nipped in and got the final touch.

Former League of Ireland man, Mikey Drennan added a third when he was first to react to a poor clearance with nine remaining on the clock. With two minutes left substitute Jamie Owens saw his audacious lob beat Cunningham to wrap it up.

Near the end, Darren Browne had a chance to get one back, but he headed over.

Evergreen created plenty and scored enough. Westport created little and scored nothing. That was the biggest difference between the sides on Sunday.

Westport’s starting 11 had an average age of just over 23, while Evergreen’s corresponding figure was 27. That experience of playing together, stood to the visitors. They had a simple formation. Every man stuck to his job. They were solid all over the park. Physicality and experience count at this stage of the competition.

The Mayo side created very little, lacked a potent attacking threat and were undone by some unfortunate defending. Evergreen, winners of the Kilkenny & District League for the past six seasons, were better organised and in the main, were physically stronger than the young Westport side. And they took some of the many chances they created. They have gained a place in the last sixteen, while the youthful Mayo men gained experience.

Mikey Drennan, Johnny Dunleavy and Ben Hickey were outstanding for Evergreen. Darren Browne, Cillian McGlade (until he left play with an injury), and Paul Mee did well for Westport.

The match was moved from United Park on Sunday morning, and despite a Yellow Wind Warning in place by Met Eireann, went ahead in Castlebar.

Westport - G Cunningham, C White, N Massey, C McGlade, A Cannon, F O’Hora, K Kitterick, D O’Malley, A Nugent, D Browne, P Mee. Subs: H Quinn, A Halpin. C Halpin, J Dawson.

Evergreen - N Owens, N Mulvihill, L Costello, A Ckeerem L Delaney, D McQuillan, I Nzewi, D Grincell, M Drennan, B Hickey, J Dunleavy. Subs: J Owens, C Whearty, A Wall, D Cornally, E Phelan.

Referee - J Mulroe