Killough and Celtic Bhoys in shoot-out for the title

Killough and Celtic Bhoys in shoot-out for the title

26 April 2023

THIS contest at The Meadow on Saturday was one that Killough needed to win to keep a three-point gap between them and Celtic Bhoys in the race for the title but Ardglass were not going to sit back and easily concede defeat.

The first half was very much a one-sided affair as Killough kept possession and Ardglass had very little chances. 

Killough had their opening chance in the eighth minute when Daniel Taggart’s direct shot at Ardglass ‘keeper James Crangle was initially saved before the danger was eventually scrambled clear

Shortly after, Killough midfielder Michael Burns made an advancing the run up the left wing, before attempting a pot shot himself, but again Crangle was up to the task. 

The Ardglass number one could do nothing about the opener, however, which came in the 24th minute.

A Jay Gibney cross into the box found Killough team-mate Declan Looney who made no mistake with his finish. 

Killough extended their lead before the break after captain Gareth George launched a counter-attack forward to Looney, who sent the ball across the goal mouth for midfielder Tony McIlhone, at  full stretch, to poke home a great goal. 

This easily could have derailed Ardglass but in the second half the hosts looked like a different team. 

They were reward in the 51st minute when Stephen Deegan was allowed space and time before unleashing a great strike from the edge of the 

box which flew into the back of the Killough net – there was nothing Killough goalkeeper Conor Doyle could do to stop that goal. 

Killough looked to respond five minutes later, when Gibney and Looney broke free only for Ardglass defender Caolain O’Shea to prevent leaking any further goals with an impressive block and clearance. 

The Ardglass leveller came in the 70th minute after a probing pass from Brendan McMenamin found team-mate Deegan. 

The midfielder picked out Karl O’Neill, who had no hesitation with his finish to equalise. 

Killough made all three of their substitutions with ten minutes left to go in a bid to regain the advantage. 

They managed to do just that as the dangerous Looney was allowed to find himself in acres of space before aptly finding the bottom right corner. 

With time ticking down and just five minutes left of the 90, a throw-in from Ardglass 

substitute David Armstrong caused disarray in the Killough defence, who failed to clear the danger.

The ball found its way to the feet of Ardglass captain Matthew Rooney, who fired his strike low through the Killough defence and into the net.

Ardglass nearly took all three points with the last corner of the game but Michael Magee’s header glanced inches wide.

A very entertaining game that was made up of two very different halves.

The league will now be decided in the final game of the season as Killough face Celtic Bhoys tomorrow night at the Millfield in Killough.

Ardglass: J Crangle, M Clarke, J Telford, J Deegans, C O’Shea, M Rooney, S Deegan, A Watson, M Magee, K O’Neill, B McMenamin. 

Subs: P Sutcliffe, D Armstrong, M Halpin.

Killough: C Doyle, E Gargan, C Black, K Groves, S Burns, G George, D Looney, T McIlhone, J Gibney, M Burns, D Taggart. 

Subs: D Duffy, L Murphy, C Kelly.