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Jum
il-Helsien Cup
Similar to the
Independence Cup, the Jum il-Helsien Cup (or Freedom Day Cup) was
introduced as a challenge cup which was part of the festivities
celebrating the departure of NATO forces from Malta on March 31,
1979. Ghajnsielem were chosen again as one of the finalists and Sannat Lions were the opponents. Sannat won on penalties.
Three years
later, Ghajnsielem beat Kercem Ajax on penalties in the
second division version of the Jum il-Helsien Cup. After a lengthy
absence from the final of such competition, which has not been held
with regularity throughout the years, Ghajnsielem appeared in five
finals in a row. In 1998/99 the Blacks went down to Xewkija Tigers
1-3. The year after they lost on penalties to Zebbug Rovers. Then in
the treble season, Ghajnsielem crushed
Nadur Youngters 8-0 (Frank Buttigieg 2, Stefan Farrugia, Aloy
Ihebulu, Matthew Portelli, Daniel Cosaitis, Joseph Buttigieg, Jeremy
Camilleri). Ghajnsielem paid the price for running up the score on
their rivals because they lost to the same Youngsters in the
following seasons: 1-3 in 2001/02 and 0-3 in 2002/03. After a
two-year absence, Ghajnsielem returned to the final
of this competition in 2005/06. This access was by
virtue of their status of reigning league champions.
Their opponents were Xewkija Tigers, the holders of
the G.F.A. Cup. The match ended in a 2-2 draw (Errol
Grima, Joseph Attard). No further scoring took place
in extra-time. The Blacks won the Cup on penalties
4-1. Joseph Buttigieg, Loreto Scicluna, Larry
Buttigieg and Joseph Attard all converted their
penalties. Saviour Darmanin saved one of the three
penalties taken by the Tigers. |
