FULL REPORT: Bridge Utd celebrate cup glory after spirited comeback - Kilkenny Live

From this week's Kilkenny People

Bridge United’s long wait for a McCalmont Cup title came to an end on Saturday evening as the Goresbridge outfit came back from a 2-0 deficit at half-time to beat defending champions Freebooters 3-2 in a game which brought a huge crowd to a wet Derdimus.

Bridge United’s fixtures en route to this memorable cup victory were far from smooth sailing with an impressive 3-1 quarter-final defeat of Evergreen the highlight of a run which saw them beat River Rangers B and Deen Celtic B in the first two rounds and end Freebooters B’s unbeaten record with a 2-1 semi-final win in Derdimus.

The 2024 finale of the long running competition certainly fitted into the bracket of a ‘game of two halves’ with three second half goals for Bridge United securing their first McCalmont Cup title since 1995 and only the second in their history.

CLICK HERE: PICTURES: Bridge Utd secure McCalmont Cup in dramatic final

After a cagey opening period in which both teams acclimatised to the poor conditions, both teams slowly but surely grew into the contest with fierce but honest tackles from both teams almost fitting of a cup final spectacle.

’Booters did have the ball in the net by the 25th minute as a neat through ball found Jim Ryan who fired home what appeared to be the opening goal, only for the linesman’s offside flag to cut celebrations short.

d did open the scoring on the 30th minute when a similar ball slipped past the Bridge United defence. The ’Booters man didn’t need a second invitation to finish the ball to the net and score his second goal in two games.

The leading margin was doubled for Freebooters on the brink of half-time as a pinpoint Jason Hennessy corner found the head of centre-back David Rice. His thundering header flew past Darragh Simpson and put the city club in a commanding position heading in at the half-time break.

However, a match that seemed smooth sailing for Freebooters in terms of the scoreline was to be turned well and truly on its head in the second 45 minutes.

A spirited Bridge United showed their mettle and overall squad depth in the second half, playing on the front foot creating a number of threatening chances keeping Craig Cummins on his toes.

The pressure eventually paid off and Conor English’s men broke the deadlock 25 minutes into the half when a long high ball caught Freebooters unaware at the back with Patrick Purcell taking advantage of the opportunity.

The Goresbridge side had their tails up and within three minutes the teams were level when a corner kick delivered into the Freebooters box was bundled home by an alert Pierce Blanchfield, setting up a grandstand finish. 

Eoin Kavanagh, who impressed throughout the evening, completed the Bridge United comeback after 86 minutes of play when he found himself in a one on one position deep into ’Booters territory. After a skillful flick, he beat the last defender to score the decisive goal, receiving a jubilant reaction from the Bridge United support.

Freebooters, to their credit, never went away and did create some menacing chances in the final few minutes in an attempt to rescue the match before the call of time but a deserving Bridge United held on for victory on a soaking wet night at the Kilkenny venue.

The loss for ’Booters brought to an end a disappointing week with their St Canice’s Credit Union Premier Division hopes coming to an abrupt halt last Tuesday night (May 21) with a 1-1 draw at home to Thomastown United, a result which opened the door for Evergreen to win the title at home to Callan United the following night.

But Saturday night belonged to Bridge United and after a respectable fourth placed finish in the Premier Division, the appetite for soccer appears to be sky high in the area, with the parish on cloud nine.

The showpiece final also brought back many cherished memories for United stars past and present, as the team of ’95 watched on. Among them, were David Stan O’Neill, Joe English and Paddy Murphy whose sons Eoin O’Neill, Conor English and Sean Murphy all featured in Saturday’s final.

Bridge United: Darragh Simpson, Jack Treacy, Louie Brennan, Darragh Doyle, Patrick Purcell, Craig Wall, Pierce Blanchfield, Sean Murphy, Eoin Kavanagh, Conor English, Nicholas Lianus. Subs: Chris Aylward for Louie Brennan, Josh Barcoe for Sean Murphy, Martin Dalton for Craig Wall, Eoin O’Neill for Eoin Kavanagh.

Freebooters: Craig Cummins, Jamie Holden, Ger Hayes, Dion Fitzpatrick, David Rice, Ben Ryan, Ben Maher, Chris Phelan, Jim Ryan, Jason Hennessy, Joe Banville. Subs: Andy Walsh for Chris Phelan, Eddie Nugent for Jason Hennessy, Jack Cornally for Ben Maher. 

Referee: Derek Brennan.
Assistants: Oliver Falsey, Alan Dawson, Kevin O’Neill