Downpatrick FC through to the AJC Harry Clarke Cup Final
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
AJC Group Harry Clarke Cup Semi-Final,
Venue: Robaert Adams Park, 6 3 26,
Final Score: Downpatrick FC 5 3 Killough FC.
This was a match which on paper looked as though it would go to the wire. Over the past couple of years Downpatrick have fallen between the stools when it comes to championship cup matches, but Killough have been somewhat off form recently because of missed games due to water logging on their home pitch at Millfield writes Jim Masson.
But it was Shea Holland who destroyed Killough’s hopes of a late recovery as he enjoyed a hat-trick with goals in 32, 47 and 80 minutes widening the gap against Killough.
The game stated with both teams assesing each other tentatively, not wanting to make any early mistakes and both have forays into each others halves.
Killough made the first real effort with a cross from Daire McLaughlin in the back of the box but he was quickly cut off. This was followed by another attack again with Gareth George at the end of it but that too faltered. Killough showed signs of starting to press and dominate in the match but Downpatrick were patient.
Downpatrick made a couple of charges at the Killough goal and it looked as though the Killough defence were slow in clearing the ball.
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Early on Killough were using McLaughlin on the right wing to spearhead attacks and crosses. Killough although they were pressing Downpatrick on occasions were being contained by a more organised defence.
Then in the 28th minute Downpatrick pushed forward again and Connor Campbell took his opportunity in a crowded Killough box and nailed the ball close in into the goal to open the scoring for his side, an equaliser.
Two minutes later Downpatrick pressed the stunned Killough and quickly and Declan Dowie close in knocked the ball in for a second goal.
But Downpatrick were not finished their surge forward. As Killough reeled looking at the reality of having to find 3 goals to rectify the situation, Shea Holland struck the first goal of his hat-trick on 32 minutes making it an incredible 3 goals in 4 minutes for Downpatrick with a header back-footing the Killough defence who again had not cleared the ball quickly enough.
Then Holland struck again on 47 minutes putting the game pretty well much out of reach of Killough. It was going to take something special to recover from going 4-1 in the first half.
But in fighting spirit Killough came surging back and pulled a goal back in 42 minutes as Cillian Burns charged the Downpatrick goal firmly striking the ball close in.
The second half started as expected with Killough on the front foot looking to redress the balance trying to redeem themselves.
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Taylor Beattie in the Downpatrick nets was looking more confident as a goalkeeper and made a solid save as Connor Kelly volleyed on target showing Killough were determined to to pull through.
This half was a somewhat scrappier affair with players cramping up and passions overflowing on a very chilly night but the game was well managed by referee Oliver Burke.
Killough sub Ruairi Sharvin was unlucky not to score from the back of the box as his volley came off the top bar.
Then after much effort on part of the Killough team, Jack McLaughlin finally scored slotting the ball in on 73 minutes leaving still a mountain to climb if Killough were toiet into the final.
As Downpatrick pushed forward into the Killough box, Holland was upended by Killough’s Matthew McKiernan and referee Burke pointed to the spot for a penalty on 80 minutes.
Shea Holland stepped up and hammered the ball into the left hand corner low giving keeper Conor Doyle no chance of saving it. This was a moment of jubilation for the Downpatrick team who now felt unbeatable. But Killough were not giving up the fight to the last. The game trundled stopping and starting on with Killough pressing hoping for a rub of the green.
Both teams has lost a player in the second half with double yellow cards, sub Ronan Cope (Downpatrick( 82) and Sean Og Burns (Killough, 90+1).
But on the Downpatrick side, yellow cards were picked up by Connor Campbell, Anthony Carson, Taylor Beattie, while on the Killough side, yellows were dished out to Cillian Burns, Jack McLaughlin, Riain Burns, Connor Kelly, and Daire McLaughlin. This testifies to the gritty nature of the game.
Downpatrick now go on to the final and face either Ardglass FC or Drumaness Mills Reserves next Friday evening at 7.30pm at Robert Adams Park on 13th March.
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FINAL SCORE: Downpatrick FC 5 3 Killough FC.
Downpatrick FC: 1 Taylor Beattie (GK) 2 Niall Gilchrist Morgan Fitzpatrick 4 Shea Holland 5 Connor Campbell 6 Aaron McGarry 7 Nathan McAllister 8 Josh Montgomery (C) 9 Declan Dowie 10 Anthony Carson 11 Morgan McCoubrey. Subs: 12 Declan Curran 14 Willian Taggart 15 Ben Hynds 16 Ronan Cope 17 Jack Hynds.
Killough FC: 1 Conor Doyle (GK) 2 Riain Burns 3 Connor Kellyt 4 Sean Og Burns 5 Liam Mitchell 6 Matthew McKiernan 8 Cillian Burns (C) 9 Gareth George 10 Jack McLaughlin 11 Daire McLaughlin. Subs: 12 Martin Murphy. 13 Ruairi Sharvin 14 Colum Craig 15 Lee Murphy 16 James Tumelty.
