By Daniel Noble
HOLYWOOD FC continued their form of shock upsets when they knocked Premier Division side Kilmore Rec out of the Clarence Cup on Saturday.
The Amateur League Division 1A team have been making a habit out of underdog victories this season, producing unlikely runs in the Irish Cup, Intermediate Cup Steel & Sons Cup and now the Clarence Cup.
The Irish Cup, Northern Ireland’s premier knockout competition, saw Holywood stun Premier Intermediate side Banbridge Town and Amateur League Premier stalwarts Crumlin Star, before bowing out at the hands of fellow 1A club Finaghy.
Similar joy was found in the Intermediate, with victories over PSNI, Rosemount Rec and St Mary’s YC coming prior to a defeat to Strabane Athletic in round four.
However, it was in the Steel & Sons that Glen Upton and Jonny McKay’s men produced their most memorable run to date.
They eased themselves into the competition, seeing off lower league opposition in Saintfield United, but they followed up with triumphs over top teams in East Belfast Ballyclare Comrades, Willowbank and Rosario YC – all of whom were favourites for progression.
Such a run encouraged their supporters to get into the festive spirit, as they set up a Christmas Day showpiece with Ballymacash Rangers at Seaview.
It was not to be on the day, with Holywood sent home empty-handed following a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat, but that has not stopped them from conjuring more cup escapades.
The Clarence Cup campaign started with a comfortable outing against divisional colleagues Dunmurry YM, in which they sailed through with a 4-0 margin, followed by yet another shock – a 2-0 success over Premier club Mossley.
Many a club would have grown tired of repeated draws against higher level opponents, but that is because most clubs would have experienced exits at the hands of such counterparts, not Holywood though.
They would have looked to their home tie with Kilmore with eager anticipation, coming three weeks after their previous
Clarence feat, especially given their track record this season, and they had good reason to.
Although Conor Curran launched the Rec in front early doors, Holywood did not panic, instead responding Stephen Anderson directly from kick-off.
Jay Harvey edged the hosts ahead after 32 minutes and after Calum James stretched the margin to two mid-way through the second half, the dismissal of Kilmore’s Caolan Conlon signalled mission accomplished for the Wood.
Upton and McKay’s will no await news of their quarter- final opponents, with some interesting prospects on offer, including Premier Division leaders DerriaghyCCandtheir colleagues, Islandmagee.
The draw could also offer round two against East Belfast and Willowbank, who will be out to avenge the previous suffering inflicted by Holywood.
Of course, an easier draw would do no harm for a change, and that could come against lower league St Oliver Plunkett and Greenisland, or 1A rivals Sirocco.
Occupying second place in the league and seeking to stretch their cup run, the Wood have a lot to play for between now and the end of the season.
A double is not beyond the realms of possibility, considering they sit 10 points behind leaders Dunmurry YM with five games in hand, but whatever happens, their fans have certainly had a lot to shout about this term.
