By Rory McKee
ANOTHER red-letter day in the history of Holywood Football Club lies ahead next month after they fixed a date in the semi-finals of one of local football’s most coveted cup competitions.
The Spafield side delivered the latest instalment in a fine set of cup scalps last weekend by defeating last year’s beaten Steel and Sons Cup finalists Willowbank to reach the last-four of the competition for the first time ever.
Three weeks after knocking out third- tier Ballyclare Comrades, Holywood now have a Christmas Day final in their sights, and few would bet against them springing a further surprise against Premier Division side Rosario to get there.
Joint manager Jonny McKay, whose team have also turned heads in the early rounds of the Irish Cup, has heaped praise onto the group for recent their exploits.
“There was a great energy about the team from the first minute,” he said of the 4-2 win, in which JJ McKinley and Calum James each bagged two goals.
“The first two goals came really early which I suppose settled us down, but we didn’t let up and even after we conceded, we went and scored again straight from kick-off.
“Saturday was a good test,” he added. “Willowbank try to get the ball down and play and they’re another side who have been flying up through the leagues.
“The guys don’t fear any team they go out to play against but will always give them the respect they deserve. Rosario will be no different, they’re a division above us but we have already competed against teams from the Premier Division and above that this season, so there’s no reason why we can’t give a good account of ourselves.”
Before then, Holywood have an Irish Cup tie against Division 1A colleagues Finaghy to contend with on Saturday. McKay, who shares managerial duties with Glen Upton and joined the club from Dundela Reserves at the end of last season, conceded the undertakings of the last few weeks have taken a physical toll on the side – but they plan on riding this wave for as long as possible.
“There are a few boys who have been playing through the pain barrier over the last month, they’re just that keen to be involved,” he said. “We have two great physios with us who are working their magic to keep those guys out on the pitch.
“We said at the start of the season that we wanted to push for a couple of cup runs, so by getting to this semi-final we’ve almost ticked that box.
“It is a double-edged sword in the sense that the more you progress in cup competitions, there’s going to be a hell of a backlog of league games.
“That’s where it is a real benefit to have Spafield as our home pitch because there won’t be many games called off coming into the winter months which means you can still keep the momentum going.”
The former Shorts FC man said the prospect of a big semi-final at Seaview four weeks from now is something for everyone at the club to get excited about.
“To be honest with you, there have been a couple of times where we have got into the changing rooms after some of these wins and we’ve just laughed, but it’s been laughing almost out of disbelief.
“As a club, to reach the semi-finals of the Steel and Sons Cup is fantastic. Irrespective of what happens, we can look forward to a mid-week semi-final at Seaview under the lights – what’s not to like?
“There’s no secret recipe to it from our side of things, if you get things right in the dressing room then the football can look after itself. We’re just approaching one game at a time and will see where the ride takes us.”
