Killough take the points as Celtic Bhoys struggle in early season clash
Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
League Match, Saturday 2nd September 2023,
Killough FC 6 2 Celtic Bhoys Academy.
This was a game played in bright sunshine and right from the whistle it was a sporting game from two committed sides who chased and harried and closed each other down at every opportunity writes Cyril McKinney.
Killough went ahead on 12 minutes through a Declan Looney header.
Minutes later Killough were two up when Gareth George got in front of his marker McMenamin and appeared to get on the end of long ball from keeper Conor Doyle to head
past the advancing keeper Shay Blaney.
Killough lost both McKiernan and Rianin, Burns through injury in the space of 4 minutes before half-time and Celtic Bhoys lost Dylan Watson to injury as well on 40 minutes as the game tightened up.
Celtic Boys pulled a goal back on 43 minutes through Jordan McCoubrey who reacted
quickest to a knockdown from a right wing cross from Megahey,
McCoubrey volleyed home past Doyle who was stranded of his line.
Killough had chances throughout the first half but there was some dogged defending by the veteran Jason Dagens and Ciaran McMenamin who had to be at their best to charges from Looney, Gibney and Cillian Burns.
Celtic Boys came out on the front foot early in the second half and equalised on 48 minutes through a superb Peter Casey free kick from 25 yards out which found the top corner of Conor Doyle’s net.
At this stage the visitors had the momentum but gradually Killough warmed to the task and Looney showed great determination to get there first ahead of the advancing keeper and poked the ball home to put the home side 3-2 up on 56 minutes.
On 71 minutes a Gareth George free kick near the centre line found Cillian Burns on the edge of the box who took aim and scored with a sweet left foot volley to put Killough 4-2 ahead – a classy finish.
Sean Og Burns then produced a great assist on 76 minutes when a pin-point pass sent Declan Looney clear down the left channel. Looney finished well and completed his hat-trick in the process from 8 yards.
Try as they might, Celtic Boys had no answer by now and five became 6-2 on 87 minutes when Groves won the ball in midfield and set George clear down the left
wing.
His his low cross from the byline was met by the inrushing Looney who slid in at the near post to get his 4th goal of the game.
For a first game of the season this was a good game of football but Killough created more chances and more clinical in front of goal especially in the second half where Declan Looney made the most of the opportunities that came his way.
This was a good team performance from Killough who never let the visitors settle on the ball.
Celtic Boys were in this game just after half-time but could not maintain the momentum and Killough finished the game the stronger side.
Killough FC: Conor Doyle, Riain Burns, Gareth George, Kevin Groves, Sean Og Burns,
Ruairi Sharvin, Jamie McIlhone, Cillian Burns, Jay Gibney, Declan Looney, Matt McKiernan. Subs: Declan Burns for Ruairi Sharvin, Dylan Duffy for Matt McKiernan, Lee Murphy for Riain Burns
Celtic Boys Academy: Shay Blaney, Sean Megahey ,Matthew McKee, Ciaran McMenamin,Jason Dagens, Patrick Ferris, Dylan Watson, Jordan McCoubrey, Peter Casey, Sean Ferris, Conaill Kerr. Subs: Aidan Connolly for Conaill Kerr, Sean McMahon for Jason Dagens, Craig Millar for Dylan Watson.
