Sweeney just can’t escape his Lok links
JOHN SWEENEY simply can’t sever his ties with Pollok...
He’ll be back on familiar Newlandsfield territory on Saturday almost 16 months on from his move to St Rochs and if he serves up any reminders of the midfield qualities he displayed during two notable Lok playing stints, then you can bet on his name being on the minds and tongues of home supporters.
Sweeney, 29, was at pains to play down the significance of him lining up against his former team-mates when looking ahead to this weekend’s New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup last-eight showdown between the Glasgow clubs.
He admitted: “I have mixed emotions about my return to Pollok not least because first and foremost I desperately want St Rochs to do well in every competition. Deep down, though, I know this is the toughest quarter-final draw we probably could have landed.
“The sponsor Jimmy Gilligan is a club official and an avid supporter whose dream is one day to hand the trophy over to a Pollok captain.
“He’ll never have a better opportunity because coming out on top in Saturday’s game against us would earn Pollok another home tie against l ower league opponents in the semifinals and, of course, the final itself is always played at Newlandsfield.”
Sweeney’s links with the Southside giants date back to 2009 when he signed from Westpark Under-21’s for then Lok manager Jim Sinnet.
The midfielder then had a five-year stint with Clyde before current Southside gaffer Tony McInally brought him back to Pollokat the start of the 2014/15 season.
He revealed: “I played alongside terrific players like the Winters brothers, Tam Hanlon, Alan McKenzie and Derek Hepburn in my second stint and might still have been there but for a fallout with Tony but there are no sour grapes on my part and I’ll make a point of shaking his hand on Saturday.
“He’s strengthened his playing squad by adding Gary McCann and one of the best Junior strikers around, Michael Daly, so the challenge facing St Rochs is awesome.”
The winners of the tie will host Kilsyth Rangers in the semi-finals after Keith Hogg’s side beat Gartcairn 2-0 last night.
A Kevin McBride cross knocked down by Gary Kelly and swept home by top scorer Paul McBride had Kilsyth 1-0 in front at the interval and they doubled their advantage when a foul on Scott Davidson earned a free kick that Mark Tyrrel curled in from 25 yards .
Team boss Hoggy said: “We changed things around tonight to try to freshen us up and there’s no doubt the depth of our squad is paying dividends at this stage of the season.”
There was a shock in the other New Coin Holdings West of Scotland Cup contest last night as Darvel ousted Kilwinning Rangers 2-0 to book a lasteight home visit to holders Auchinleck Talbot.
A Paddy McCabe’s goal had Cumbernauld 1-0 ahead in their Central League Cup first-round tie at home to holders Pollok, but Keiran McAleenan’s spot-kick took the tie to a penalty kicks and Pollok’s nerve held for a 4-1 success.
In vital league games, goals from Michael Kelly, Ross Brash and Mark Roberts gave Hurlford United a 3-1 win at Beith while Larkhall boosted their Central First Division title hopes with a 4-1 defeat of Forth Wanderers, Graham Gracie (2),Mark McKeever and Niall Reynolds on the mark.