Gelston on form for Killough as Rovers fail to hit the target

Gelston on form for Killough as Rovers fail to hit the target

17 April 2013

KILLOUGH defied the incessant rain and worsening playing conditions at Bear Park, Newcastle, on Saturday to set up a mouth-watering cup final showdown with Castlewellan.

However, the final scoreline was a bit flattering as Mourne Rovers outplayed them at various stages in the game and all Rovers lacked was a goalscorer.

Killough had no such problems in that area and man of the match Philip Gelston claimed all four goals, one I am not so sure about as it looked more like an own goal, as John Fitzsimons’ side scored three second half goals inside a 20 minute period.

Killough went for the kill from the off and with four minutes gone Freddie O’Connor fired a low cross into the box, but Gelston was unable to get any power into his shot and Ronan McDowell saved well.

Three minutes later Gelston and Tony McIlhone created an opening for Adam George, but his shot from inside the box was blocked by Raymond Clarke.

Rovers started to settle with Connaire Harrison becoming particularly influential and with 12 minutes gone he latched on to a long ball out of defence, but he strike was saved by Chris Mallon.

The elegant playmaker should have given Rovers the lead in the 14th minute when he was left home alone in the box, but he failed to gamble and missed out on converting Ryan Doran’s perfect cross.

Matt McKiernan then chanced his arm at the other end with a shot from outside the box, but McDowell again saved well.

Matthew Sharvin also tried to beat McDowell with a shot from outside the box, but his effort fizzed wide of the upright.

This was as good as it got for Killough as Rovers assumed control for a while with Harrison’s touch and control pleasing to the eye.

Unfortunately, all Rovers’ good work came to nothing in the final third of the pitch.

The Mourne side were to pay for this deficiency and with 42 minutes gone Gelston struck.McIlhone turned his marker with all the balletic grace of Nijinsky — the ballet dancer, not the horse — and let fly.

His well struck shot was brilliantly turned onto the crossbar by McDowell, but the ball rebounded to Gelston and he made no mistake from close in.

Rovers started the second half on top and Ryan O’Hare had a shot saved by Mallon in the first minute before Gelston struck again.

Matthew Sharvin worked his way past Ryan Doran out on the left wing and planted the ball into Gelston’s path inside the box.

The big man doesn’t miss such chances and duly made it 2-0 in the 57th minute.

It was 3-0 a minute later when O’Connor again fired the ball towards goal after cutting inside Ruari Doran.

His shot deflected off a Rovers defender, and ended up in the net, Gelston claiming that the ball hit his studs on the way through and it was his goal.

Just to make sure he got the match ball he converted a cross from Conor Doyle in the dying stages to seal a memorable scoring display.

Killough: C. Mallon, M. Burns, K. Sharvin, J. Clarke, C. Stranney, M. McKiernan, A. George, F. O’Connor, T. McIlhone, P. Gelston, M. Sharvin. Subs: L. Noble, K. Groves, C. Doyle.

Mourne Rovers: R. McDowell, Ryan Doran, Ruari Doran, C. O’Hare, R. Clarke, S. McManus, S. Doran, P. Grant, R. McManus, C. Harrison, R. O’Hare. Subs: N. Houston, C. Burden, R. Clerkin.

Killough 4

Mourne Rovers 0

HARRY CLARKE CUP SEMI-FINAL