Kildrum Tigers’ champagne remains iced for another week at least after their party was pooped by Cappry Rovers in a madcap game at Station Road.
Kildrum Tigers Reserves 2 Cappry Rovers Reserves 3
By Chris McNulty at Station Road
When Kildrum came from behind, with goals by James McNulty and Christopher Cronin, on 80 and 85 minutes, they looked set to be crowned Old Orchard Saturday Division 2 champions.
But the tide by the Foyle turned again as Cappry struck, through Kyle O’Meara and Jason Dunne, deep into added time.
Kildrum hadn’t lost in the League since the tail end of September, but they were behind here after only 90 seconds when an O’Meara shot was fumbled to the net by unfortunate Tigers ‘keeper Keenan Gibson.
Connor McNulty headed wide as Cappry began well, while Kildrum’s only opening of note in the first 20 minutes saw Cronin warm the palms of Dylan Doherty.
Gibson foiled O’Meara to keep Kildrum in the game, while Emmett O’Donnell did well to win a header at the other end, but couldn’t trouble Doherty after connecting with Brian Coll’s free kick.
Kildrum were a new side after the re-start and Gareth Coulhoun wasn’t far away from levelling the tie during a period where the home side forced a succession of corners.
Dominic Keys slid in to connect with a cross, but cannoned his attempt off the base of the post.
Coll whizzed one wide of the far post and Justin McGee couldn’t keep his shot down as time ticked away on Kildrum.
They got an 80th minute lifeline when Liam McConigley, the referee, spotted a handball in the area. McNulty stepped up to fire the penalty past Doherty.
Kildrum looked to have repelled the blows at that point and they hit the front. Cronin found some space in the area and drilled to the far corner, sparking big celebrations.
Kildrum have become known for their late, late trophy-winning escapades over the years.
But they were the victims here of a late salvo. O’Meara silenced Station Road when he converted from a penalty two minutes into added time and a crazy finale was completed when Dunne tucked home in the 95th minute.
With Milford beating Drumbar 1-0 and Fintown 5-0 winners over Drumkeen, Kildrum still only need one point from their final three games and will have the champagne back in the ice box when they head for St Patrick’s Park to face Drumkeen next Saturday.
