Invigorated Killough sizzle in cup final sun

Invigorated Killough sizzle in cup final sun

24 April 2019

A VORACIOUS and highly-motivated Killough side wreaked havoc on Ballynagross on their way to lifting the Harry Clarke Cup at a sun-kissed Meadowvale on Easter Monday.

Killough tore their underdogs tag to shreds with a pulsating performance that few teams could have lived with.

Killough seemed to settle first in front of a vociferous crowd and Jack McLaughlin had s shot well blocked by Conor Marron in the sixth minute after a surging run.

From the resultant Freddie O’Connor corner, Tony McIlhone powered his header over the crossbar from a good position.

With 10 minutes gone Cathail Arnold saved from the dangerous Declan Looney, who was a box of tricks in the early stages, after a mesmerising run from Tony McIlhone.

Looney — who looked capable of destroying Ballynagross at the back — then went in another mazy run, but he ran up against the experienced Aaron Beattie and simply ran out of room.

Killough continued to knock on the door, but it was slammed shut in their faces in the 18th minute. A deep free from Cathailn Arnold was headed back across the box by his brother Deaglan and Declan Dowie swooped to guide a header in off the post to give his side an unlikely lead.

Killough went back on the offensive and eight minutes later the mesmeric Looney brought the sides level after an electrifying finish, following a piercing move that involved the diligent Ross Armstrong and McLaughlin.

Looney was then presented with another chance in the 30th minute, but his glancing header was just off target. 

The remainder of the first half saw Ballynagross having to work overtime in a bid to quell Looney’s growing influence on the game and that only served to restrict their attacking forays.

Conor Kelly, a replacement for the injured Ryan McIlhone at half-time, went close to scoring with his first touch and at the other end, Kelly saved comfortably from Niall Laverty.

With 52 minutes gone Tony McIlhone, who posed a permanent threat, fired over a scintillating cross from the right flank, but there was nobody at home to take advantage.

Ballynagross were slowly starting to find their feet in the middle of the park when they were hit with a bombshell.

The imperious Gareth George then picked out the roving Conor Kelly who beat Arnold with a glorious finish.

Killough shored up their midfield unit by bringing on Matt McKiernan for Burns and he was just what the doctor ordered.

His ability to put his foot on the ball and put in a few bone-crunching tackles helped Killough keep the initiative, but an insurance goal just wouldn’t come.

Looney continued to dazzle, but he was beginning to run out of steam — no wonder given his work rate.

McIlhone went close again as Killough sat back and hit Ballynagross on the break before George applied the coup de grace.

Time was almost up and Ballynagross had thrown caution to the wind by pushing everyone forward, including ‘keeper Cathail Arnold.

They paid a heavy penalty for this when Killough cleared their lines with George seizing on the loose ball.

He took off on a lung-bursting run that saw him eat up the ground from just outside his own box to roll the ball into an empty net at the opposite end and seal a memorable victory. 

The game was expertly refereed by Anthony Russell and he had great assistance from Arleen Campbell and Kenny Jess.

Killough: Peter Kelly, Freddie O’Connor, Gareth George, Kevin Groves, Colm Stranney, Tony McIlhone, Jack McLaughlin, Michael Burns, Ross Armstrong, Ryan McIlhone, Declan Looney. Subs: Conor Kelly, Matt McKiernan, Jason Clarke, Ruairi Sharvin, Ben McLaughlin.

Ballynagross: Cathail Arnold, Patrick Smith, John Shields, Aaron Beattie, Conor Marron, Mark Magill, Niall Laverty, Matthew Rooney, Declan Dowie, Deaglan Arnold, Daniel Taggart. Subs: Cormac Byrne, Kieran Taggart, Philip Doran, Colum Craig, Deaglan Craig.