Ardglass FC had the edge on Killough FC in the local derby league match
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Premier Division, League Match,
Venue: Mill Field Killough: 16th November 2024,
Final Score: Killough FC 1 5 Ardglass FC.
Ardglass FC came away with the honours today from their match against Killough FC at Mill Field enjoying a 1-5 win.
However, Ardglass received a hammer blow in just 4 minutes when Killough captain Gareth George headed in from a neat cross from Ben McLaughlin.
But Ardglass steadied and John Beattie volleyed to the top corner over the heads of the players to equalise in the 8th minute.
Ardglass then went into the lead with a cheeky goal from Daire O’Shea when he cracked the ball in to the right hand corner under the legs of Killough keeper Conor Doyle in the 11th minute.
The game settled down into a grind with Ardglass pressing steadily. Eventually the pressure caused a blow-up and Killough defender Riain Burns and Ardglass forward Karl O’Neill were shown the red card.
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Caolain O’Shea then struck a blow for Ardglass with a terrific free kick from 3 yards outside the Killough box over the head of the defenders’ wall to the top of the net.
Ardglass had the lion’s share of the attacking with Beattie, Magee and O’Shea all connecting well.
Magee made a strong break forward at one stage pursued by defender Ronan Deegan but he ran into keeper Doyle just as he entered the box.
Killough then had a more productive spell with a couple of attacks looking for an eqailiser.
In the 39th minute Ardglass were pressing forward again and Caolain O’Shea scored with a powerful volley to the top of the Killough net giving Doyle no chance.
THe game was very competitive and challenges were at times quite physical. Jamie Cusack picked up a yellow card in the 41st minute. Before the whistle for half-time Killough fought back trying to close the gap with a quick attack but Ardglass keeper James Crangle smothered the ball and the Killough hopes of a revival.
Ardglass started the second half with a cushion of two goals but Killough stepped up the pressure on the visitors had a few chances to pull back a goal. But the Ardglass back line was in great form defending well.
Michael Magee made a great run on the 51st minute and his shot got past Doyle to make it 1-4 for Ardglass.
Ardglass stepped up their game and Killough could only manage a few effective challenges, mostly down the left wing led by captain Gareth George.
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Ardglass forward John Beattie had to come off due to an injury in the 63rd minute. Then Ardglass kept pressing forward relentlessly.
But Ardglass were not done yet and rubbed more salt into the Killough wounds. Daire O’Shea claimed his second goal in the 75th minute closing the door in any hope of Killough pulling back a win.
Killough did make an effort to redeem themselves – sub Daire McLaughlin almost scored for Killough from a quick turn and volley on the edge of the Ardglass box but keeper Crangle was on it in a flash.
It was a bad day at the office for home side Killough, and Ardglass looked a stronger side and despite losing out in penalties in teh Bobby Dalzell Cup Final just tehg other week, they seem focused and will be looking again for another league win this year.
Killough FC: 1 Conor Doyle (GK) 2 Riain Burns 3 Eamonn Tierney 4 Ronan Deegan 5 Connor Kelly 6 Ben McLaughlin 7 Adam McGarrity 8 Cillian Burns (C) 9 Declan Burns 10 Jamie McIlhone 11 Gareth George. Subs: 12 Martin Murphy 14 Daire McLaughlin 16 Ruairi Sharvin.
Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle (GK) 2 Corey Mahon 3 Malachy Crangle 4 Caolain O’Shea 5 Shea Dorrian 6 Daire O’Shea 7 Jamie Cusack 8 John Beattie 9 Michael Magee (C) 10 Karl O’Neill 11 Jamie McDarby. Subs: 12 Sean Carr 14 Michael Clarke 15 Ryan McKinney.
