Magee goal decisive as Ardglass make final

Magee goal decisive as Ardglass make final

2 April 2025

ARDGLASS claimed derby bragging rights in dramatic fashion, beating Killough in extra-time and sealing their place in the Harry Clarke Cup final in extra-time.

Killough took the lead through Jamie McIlhone, and still held the advantage when stoppage time commenced.

However, Ardglass showcased their never-say-die attitude, with defender Malachy Crangle equalising at the death.

The Premier Division leaders were determined to avoid penalties and it was skipper Michael Magee that popped up with the match-winning goal.

Killough took the game to their opponents from the off and should have scored when Tony McIlhone met Gareth George’s cross and headed straight at goalkeeper James Crangle.

The Ardglass defence was at sixes and sevens and they soon had another lucky escape, with George drilling the ball across the face of goal and Connor Kelly firing over from close range.

Ardglass eventually grew into the contest, carving out their first clear-cut chance after 14 minutes. Killough ‘keeper Martin Murphy missed Pabhraig O’Shea’s cross, allowing John Beattie to creep in at the back post.

The ball was moving away from him and although the midfielder managed to get a shot on goal, Declan Burns was there to clear off the line.

They were made to regret that missed opportunity when a long ball wrong-footed Crangle and Jamie McIlhone launched a header across goal, firing Killough into the lead.

There were no signs that they would sit back to admire their early work either, as they continued to put their opponents on the back foot.

George repeatedly asked questions with his crossing ability and when he picked out Jamie McIlhone again, the winger directed a header on to the post.

Ardglass were under the cosh for the vast majority of the opening 45 minutes, but their spirit did not and they came agonisingly close to levelling with the final chance of the half.

Magee found space on the edge of the box and looked guaranteed to score with a pile-driver, only for Murphy to produce a miraculous save with his feet.

After a slow start to the second half, Killough showed signs of adding to their lead. Ruairi Sharvin produced an excellent cross to find Jamie McIlhone, who hooked over the crossbar with a free shot.

Ardglass embarked upon a campaign of bombarding the Killough penalty area and received a boost as their opponents experienced a spate of injuries.

They were almost gifted a goal when a corner forced a Killough defender to head past his own ‘keeper, but blushes were spared by the bar.

Karl O’Neill was in relentless form for Ardglass, and he was next to threaten Murphy’s goal.

Although the ball was running away from him, his ferocious first-time strike looked a certain goal, heading for the top corner, yet the ‘keeper exhibited cat-like reflexes.

Killough began to defend with great aplomb and time was fast running away from the Ardglass outfit.

However, as the clock hit 95 minutes, Aidan Watson delivered a searching cross and left-back Crangle leapt in to level the scoring with a diving header.

With the equaliser demoralising a Killough side that was sure to feel hard done by, there was only going to be one winner in extra-time.

Riding the wave of their incredibly late leveller, Ardglass only needed one minute to swing the scoreline in their favour.

Murphy did well to pluck O’Neill’s strike out of the top corner, but the ball fell kindly to Magee, who made a real captain’s contribution in tapping into the gaping goal. 

The remainder of play was largely lacking in action and, as the shell-shocked Killough players failed to pick themselves up, Ardglass kept their treble dreams alive.

Ardglass will have to wait to discover their final opponents, with Strangford and Downpatrick set to battle it out on Saturday.

Killough: M Murphy, D Burns, R Burns, C Kelly, C Burns (captain), R Sharvin, A McGarrity, T McIlhone, D McLaughlin, G George, J McIlhone.

Subs: M Burns, R Deegan, C Doyle, G Ward, R McIlhone.

Ardglass: J Crangle, C Mahon, M Crangle, J Deegans, S Dorrian, D O’Shea, J Beattie, M Magee (captain), K O’Neill, P O’Shea, A Watson.

Subs: M Clarke, S Carr, R Cusack, R McKinney, R Carson.

Killough 1

Ardglass 2

HARRY CLARKE CUP SEMI-FINAL