Brilliant Ballynagross on fire

Brilliant Ballynagross on fire

18 April 2018

BALLYNAGROSS upset the odds with an imposing display at Bignian Park on Friday night to secure their place against Ballyvea in the SportLoMo Harry Clarke Cup final.

Karl Gelston’s side were worthy winners after a hard-fought battle. They fell behind to an early Gareth George goal, but before half-time had stormed into a 2-1 lead with two goals in four minutes from Conor Marron and Donal McCavera.

Killough threatened to run away with the game after the break, but a formidable defensive blockade ensured the favourites were condemned to also rans.

Ballynagross were far from being overawed and with less than a minute gone Matt Rooney threaded a delightful ball across the box, but there was no one at home to take advantage.

A minute later Daryll McGrady headed a McCavera corner over the top as Ballynagross staked their claim in style, but they were then caught sleeping at the back and paid a heavy price.

The voracious Freddie O’Connor escaped from Paul O’Reilly’s clutches, stormed into the box and put the ball on the plate for an unmarked George to open the scoring after eight minutes.

Ballynagross immediately went in search of the equaliser and Declan Dowie wasted a good chance created by Kieran Taggart before the latter headed a Robbie Hagan corner wide.

With 39 minutes a pressing Ballynagross hit the jackpot. Marron let fly with a stinging shot from 22 yards out that seemed destined for the top corner, until Chris Mallon produced a spectacular save.

Killough failed to deal with the ensuing corner and Marron latched onto the loose ball to equalise.

Four minutes later McCavera had absolutely nothing on when the ball fell into his path way out on the right flank about 40 yards from goal.  

The iceman had other ideas and beat Mallon all ends up with a blockbuster that dipped and swerved on its way to the net for a goal good enough to win any game.

Killough had a chance to equalise on the stroke of half-time when O’Connor carved out an opening for Ross Armstrong, but he was denied by a brilliant save from Cathail Arnold.

Killough had a hill to climb in the second half, but they went about the job on hand in a methodical way. However, Ballynagross knew what to expect and Karl Gelston had them prepared for the onslaught.

Killough had plenty of possession, but failed miserably to create chances with Aaron Beattie, Marron, O’Reilly and McGrady in imperious form. If anything, it was Ballynagross who should have scored first in the second half when Taggart chanced his arm with a snap-shot, but was just off target.

Killough continued to huff and puff, but the longer the game went on, their frustration increased.

They had become too keen to equalise and everything was hurried and rushed, even throw ins.

This simply made life easy for a composed Ballynagross outfit, who held their shape when confronted by hordes of Killough midfielders, eager to get further and further up the park.

Killough used all three substitutes in a bid to unhinge Ballynagross, but continually changing shape only meant further frustration for O’Connor and the unflappable Jakie Clarke.

All Killough had to show for their efforts was a shot from O’Connor that was comfortably dealt with by Arnold as Ballynagross eased through to their May showdown with Ballyvea.

Killough: C Mallon, M Burns, C Black, C Stranney, J Clarke, S Tumelty, F O’Connor, M O’Shea, R Armstrong, M McKiernan, G George. Subs: J O’Connor, D Burns, R Sharvin, W Clarke, M Holland.

Ballynagross: C Arnold, C Marron, P O’Reilly, A Beattie, D McGrady, M Magill, D McCavera, M Rooney, D Dowie, K Taggart, R Hagan. Subs: J Finnegan, D Craig, M Holland, A Danks, R Branagan.