Killough just pipped by Celtic Bhoys in Bobby Dalzell Cup Quarter Final
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
NFU Bobby Dalzell Cup Quarter Final,
Killough FC 3 4 Celtic Boys.
between two very committed teams who went head-to-head from the very first whistle and who were determined to battle for a place in the semi-final. writes Cyril McKinney.
Prior to kick off Celtic Boys had to make a change in goalkeeper when regular keeper took ill but was replaced by the veteran Nathan Curran who is no stranger to these type of games.
Right from the start both teams were on the offensive with every challenge and referee decision being contested with vigour by players and from the sidelines as well.
Killough went ahead on 9 minutes when Conor Kelly got free down the left flank and as Curran advanced Kelly fired a great left foot shot that nestled in the back of the net. An excellent effort.
Celtic Boys responded immediately and from a left wing cross Carberry headed over from six yards out. Celtic were on level terms on 13 minutes when Ferris slotted home after being put through by Casey.
This time Killough responded well but Looney dragged his left shot wide of the mark from the edge of the box in front of goal.
On 20 minutes it was Blaine Connolly who found himself in space at the back post from a Celtic left wing corner, but the veteran defender blazed the ball over the bar with Doyle rooted to the spot on his goal line.
This miss was punished on 29 minutes when Looney wriggled free in the Celtic box and rifled home a low pile driver across Curran and into the far corner of the net.
At this stage Killough went looking for more but could not find a way past a determined Celtic defence.
Defenders Logue, Carberry and Rice had to be at their best against the Killough strike force of Kelly, Taggart and the lively Looney.
On 39 minutes Celtic were awarded a free kick near the right edge of the Killough box after McKiernan upended Ferris.
From the resulting free Ferris curled a great shot round the wall and into the net past a helpless Doyle in the Killough nets to level things up at the break.
Whatever was said at half-time in the Celtic changing room had the desired effect because, despite Killough’s best efforts, Celtic began to dominate the play with both midfields combative and closing down the opposition at every opportunity.
Celtic Boys went ahead on 57 minutes when Carberry poked the ball home in a crowded goal mouth from a right wing cross.
Celtic had another chance on 62minutes to stretch their lead but Ferris was wide of the target when put through one on one with the keeper.
This miss was forgotten about on 76 minutes when Collins was alert in the Killough box to finish of a right wing corner from Casey to seal the victory.
Killough to their credit kept pushing forward with Celtic trying to catch them on the counter and with the final kick of the game Killough won a free just outside the Celtic Box.
Up stepped the Killough Captain Gareth George to drive the ball into the net of the underside of the crossbar to leave the final score 3-4 to the visitors.
This was a game that many thought could go any way at half-time, but Celtic Boys changed their game plan at the break and Killough could not find an answer try as they might.
There were some great individual performances on both sides, but overall Celtic Boys deserved this victory.
Killough FC: Conor Doyle, Gareth George,Conor Black, Kevin Groves, Matt McKiernan, Ruairi Sharvin, Declan Looney, Michael Burns, Daniel Taggart , Kian Tierney, Connor Kelly. Subs: Eamon Gargan for Kian Tierney, Dylan Duffy for Michael Burns ,Gerard McAuley
Celtic Boys: Nathan Curran , Shaun Megahey, Blaine Connolly, Caolain Logue, Gary Carberry, Michael Rice, Gerard Collins, Peter Casey , Sean Ferris, Jordan McCoubrey, Ruarai Quinn. Subs: Conaill Kerr for Ruarai Quinn, Sean Cahill for Peter Casey, Matthew McKee.
