Killough FC Just Failed To Secure Goal In The NFU Harry Clarke Cup Semi-Final To Keep Their Hopes Alive
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
NFU Harry Clarke Semi-Final,
Venue: Robert Adams 3G Park, Crossgar, 28 5 2025,
Final Score: Ardglass FC 2 1 Killough FC.
It was a cold night at Robert Adams Park as Killough FC and Ardglass FC squared up as rivals to get a place in the NFU Harry Clarke Cup Final. Both teams had been showing excellent for of late and this match promised to be a cracker writes Jim Masson.
It was Killough who fired up like an express strain and ran hard at Ardglass hoping to break them and build up a tally of goals but 2 late goals from Ardglass’ Michael Magee and Malachy dashed their hopes.
But Ardglass had other plans and managed to stave off the shock tactics from a number of very fast-paced challenges from Killough that on a good day would have produced more goals, but Ardglass were ficussed and buckled down to containing their opposition as much as was possible.
Ardglass were short of two key players… Caolan O’Shea and Jamie McDarby as they were cup-tied.
Killough attacked early with a cross from Gareth George to Ruairi Sharvin but the delivery was underpowered. The home side piled on the pressure with fast attacks, sharp passing and displaying a hunger to win.
Killough won a corner and Sharvin was just wide with a header. Then to add to this he then hit the bar with a volley.
But Ardglass weathered the early storm and fought back and Michael Magee almost headed in a corner to the top left hand post except Killough keeper sprang forward and just managed to fingertip the ball to safety.
But eventually the pressure from KIllough paid off and on 17 minutes Jamie McIlhone hammered the ball in to the Ardglass net from inside the box to open the score sheet.
Again Killough came out fighting and attacked Ardglass again with Jamie McIlhone pressing for another goal.
Ardglass under pressure gave away a corner and again McIlhone almost saw his pass to Tony McIlhone get over the line were it not for the quick actions of keeper James Crangle.
However, Ardglass were containing Killough and did make challenges into the their half on a number of useful breaks.
John Beattie made a penetrating cross through to Michael Magee but he was blocked at the last second denying a goal.
Killough kept coming at Ardglass and defender Declan Burns hit a low strike on target by keeper Crangle was on the ball and saved in from going inside his right hand post.
Then at the other end Magee was warming up and shot a volley at the Killough goal but keeper Martin Murphy was well focussed and held it well. A short time later a Magee header was also saved by Murphy.
The first half ended with Killough a goal up but they paid a significant price in running themselves ragged hoping they could storm Ardglass which never happened. The question then was, how will Killough fair in the second half or into extra time ?
The second half was a different affair. Although Killough started on the same vein by attacking, Ardglass came back at them pressing forward.
Killough’s Daire McLaughlin put a neat ball thgrough to Sharvin who had half a chance of scoring but was denied by Ardglass defenders.
John Beattie then made a good solo run into the Killough half and won a free kick 40 yards from the goal taken by Corey Mahon. Gradually Ardglass were making an impression on the increasingly tiring Killough side who were holding on to their tenuous one goal lead.
There was a period of attacks from both sides as the balance of power shifted. Play got more physical and the game was somewhat scrappy at times losing its flow.
Karl O’Neill and John Beattie both had blasts at the Killough goal in one charge but keeper Murphy did extra well to keep the ball out of the net.
Killough were certainly slowing down and players were cramping up. Three subs were pulled in to play in the match late on – Conor Doyle for Ruairi Sharvin, Gary Ward for Daire McLaughlin and Ronan Deegan for Jamie McIlhone respectfully.
Ardglass then launched a number of attacks but Killough tried their best to keep the ball out of their half.
Then on 91 minutes in added time due to injuries and a moment of players getting involved in a scuffle, Michael Magee eventually after success attempts scored with a header while onside equalising and dashing Killough’s hopes.
Both teams were feeling the physical. pressure as they played the first period of extra time and yellow cards were starting to be issued.
Killough battled hard and Ardglass defender Malachy Crangle made a crucial save as sub Conor Doyle almost rocketed the ball home for a goal.
But in 95 minutes, 30 seconds into the extra-time, it was Malachy Crangle who made a powerful low header from the back of the Killough box which bounced past keeper Murphy into the left hand corner of the net.
Ardglass kept up the pressure and with the presence of fresh sub Michael Clarke in the rear, Killough found it difficult to mount attacks like they had done through most of the first half. Aidan Watson had plied a number of penetrating attacks through the game from the left wing.
Killough tried to fight back on tired legs and Tony McIlhone chanced a shot as he broke through the centre with Adam Garrity but it flew over the top bar.
It was a demanding match for both teams with 6 yellow cards dished out to Killough and 2 to Ardglass.
The final whistle must have been a blow to Killough who had given their all, and a blessing to Ardglass who had faced such tough opposition and come through with a win to get them to the NFU Harry Clarke Final against either Strangford or Downpatrick.
The NFU Harry Clarke Semi-Final
Final Update: The NFU Harry Clarke Semi-Final will take place at 7.30pm on Friday 11th April with the kick off at 7.30pm at the Robert Adams Park in Crossgar.
Killough FC: 1 Martin Murphy (GK) 2 Declan Burns 3 Riain Burns 4 Connor Kelly 5 Cillian Burns (C) 6 Ruairi Sharvin 7 Adam Garrity 8 Tony McIlhone 9 Daire McLaughlin 10 Gareth George 11 Jamie McIlhone. Subs: 12 Michael Burns 13 Ronan Deegan 14 Conor Doyle 15 Gary Ward 16 Ryan McIlhone.
Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle (GK) 2 Corey Mahon 3 Malachy Crangle 4 Jason Deegans 6 Shay Dorrian 67 Daire O’Shea 8 John Beattie 9 Michael Magee (C) 10 Karl O’Neill 11 Pabhraig O’Shea 15 Aidan Watson. Subs: 5 Michael Clarke 12 Sean Carr 14 Ryan Cusack 16 Ryan McKinney 17 Ryan Carson.
