Ardglass too strong for Killough in local derby
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Kit Room Cup qualifier,
Venue: Millfield, Killough, 15th March 2025,
Final score: Killough 2 4 Ardglass.
The Millfield was bathed in sunshine for this Kitroom Shield group game played on a very uneven pitch. With bragging rights at stake for this local derby both teams set out to impose themselves from the first whistle writes Cyril McKinney.
Ardglass took an early lead on 15 minutes through a Michael Magee header from a right wing cross which looked to settle the visitors but a moment of hesitation in the Ardglass defence allowed Cillian Burns to ghost in at the back post to fire a low shot past Crangle in the Ardglass nets to level things up after 23 minutes.
Both sides seemed to try playing the early ball to the attackers but both sets of defences stayed strong and held firm.
With half-time approaching an early ball played through the middle of the Killough defence found Ardglass number 10 Karl O’Neill through on goal and with keeper Marty Murphy advancing O’Neill cooly and clinically slotted home to give the visitors a 2-1 lead at the break.
Seven minutes into the second half Ardglass increased their lead through Michael Magee who nodded home a long left wing throw-in at the near post.
Killough sent on subs Daire McLaughlin and Jamie McIlhone who injected new life into the Killough attack.
Both of these two young stars posed problems for the Ardglass defence through their pace and direct running.
Any hope of a Killough fight back seemed to end when an Ardglass through ball from Aidy Watson sent Karl O’Neill through on goal and again as Murphy advanced O’Neill finished well to make it 4-1 to the visitors on 79 minutes.
Killough kept pressing forward and were rewarded a minute later after great approach play from Daire McLaughlin on the right wing he set up Tony McIlhone who crossed to Riain Burns who fired home at the back post to give the home side some hope.
Killough enjoyed a lot of the playxa0xa0but the rearguard of Clarke,Crangle, Deegans and Dara O’Shea held firm to see the game out. Up front Killough struggled to manage O’Neill and Michael Magee who helped themselves to two goals each.
For Killough Tony McIlhone was exceptional as was his son Jamie and Daire McLaughlin who both lit up the second half. There was good performances from Connor Kelly, Cillian Burns and Ben McLaughlin who all stood up to the task.
Killough FC: Martin Murphy, Declan Burns, Lee Murphy, Connor Kelly, Cillian Burns, Ruairi Sharvin, Ben McLaughlin, Aidan McGarrity, Tony McIlhone, Gareth George, Riain Burns. Subs:xa0Daire McLaughlin forxa0Ben McLaughlinxa0, Jamie McIlhone forxa0Ruairi Sharvinxa0, Ryan McIlhone for Aidan McGarrity
Ardglassxa0FC: James Crangle, Michael Clarke, Malachy Crangle, Jordan Deegans, Dara O’Shea,xa0xa0Shea Dorrian, John Beattie, Caolain O’Shea, Michael Magee, Karl O’Neill, Jamie McDarby. Subs: Corey Mahon forxa0xa0Michael Magee, xa0Aidy Watson for Jordan Deegans.
