Spot on! Drennan penalty double sends Evergreen into sixth round of FAI Junior Cup

Two goals from Mikey Drennan saw Kilkenny Premier Division champions Evergreen score a 3-2 win on the road in the FAI Junior Cup and book their place in the hat for the round six draw.

Drennan struck twice from the penalty spot - he scored in the first minute of normal time and again in the last minute of extra-time - as the city side won a highly entertaining Cup classic.

The last Kilkenny & District League side left standing in the national competition, Gary Maher’s men made the trip to Clare to take on Sixmilebridge’s Bridge United on Sunday - the second Bridge team they’ve faced in the competition this year, having seen off Goresbridge’s Bridge United 5-3 in their round three clash back in November.

The visitors got off to a great start and wasted little time in taking the lead. Barely 60 seconds had been played before David Grincell was upended in the box - Drennan made no mistake from the penalty spot.

The Kilkenny side made light of the long trip and took control of the game. They went close to extending their lead on the Shannon Road, but Grincell had a shot cleared off the line before another Drennan strike was chalked off for offside.

Ify Nzewi's strike gave Evergreen a 2-1 lead early in the second half PICTURE: MARK DESMOND

Evergreen held their lead until half-time, but Bridge were quick to draw level not long after the restart through Aidan Moloney. Their joy was short-lived, however, as Ify Nzewi shot the visitors back in front within three minutes of the restart.

The see-saw nature of the game saw the exchanges swing Bridge’s way again, as Ger Myles bagged their second equaliser before the hour. The deadlock remained throughout the remainder of the 90 minutes and all the way through extra-time until, with seconds left, Drennan kept his nerve to rifle home a last-gasp penalty to send his side through.