Ardglass FC suffer home defeat to a rampant Killough in this local derby
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
Premier Division, League Match,
Venue: The Meadow, Ardglass 22 11 25,
Final Score: Ardglass FC 2 6 Killough FC.
It was a tough day for Ardglass FC as they faced neighbours Killough in a league match. But they faltered at a serious disadvantage having lost their playing form as the Council had closed the Meadow pitch for the past few weeks due to heavy rain writes Jim Masson.
Many of the Ardglass players were also on the squad that won the Down GAA Division 4 county championship, a great achievement. But their bodies must have been aching after that final at the end of a tough summer and needed time to repair.
At the moment Killough are Premier Division leaders on 14 points and Ardglass has 12 points.
But Killough have played 6 games to Ardglass’ only 5. At the moment it looks like a 2-horse race between Killough and Ardglass, last season’s league winners. Every point will be a prisoner from here on in for both teams.
But the player of the match must go to Daire McLaughlin who was on fire scoring a hat-trick with goals in the 38th, 47th and 54th minutes setting up his side for the win.
Ardgass came back fighting Killough broke again in this fast [aced match and Daire McLaughlin hit the side netting.
Killough captain Gareth George opened the scoring with an early goal on 19 minutes as Killough clawed their way into the game.
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Karl O’Neill almost sneaked in a goal but keeper Marty Murphy was in excellent form and came out to clock the shot.
Michael Magee was playing in his usual spot as centre forward and tried a header but it went wide. He made an great cross to O’Neill minutes later but the voilley went over the bar.
Killough were putting Ardglass under pressure with sustained attacks and won a free kick 30 yards out and Daire McLaughlin’s low shot was just wide of the post.
And again Ben McLaughlin made a long cross to George who again went just wide.
As Ardglass pressed forward there was a scramble in front of the Killough goal and Jordan Finnegan got his toe to the ball and popped in to equalise.
But Ardglass’ efforts were undone a minute later when Daire Laughlin was at the sharp end of the Killough break and hammered home a goal for Killough, the first goal in his hat-trick.
Ardglass came fighting back and it was Karl O’Neill who clinched the second goal for Ardglass on 42 minutes. But the Ardglass well ran dry after that.
Then 9 minutes later Daire scored again, delivering a powerful low volley beating keeper James Crangle from a free kick on the right putting the score at 2-3.
The situation was still recoverable for Ardglass at this point and they did play with gusto and Michael Magee had several attempts at goal.
But Ardglass were looking a little bit jaded but they battled back and kept their discipline.
Killough’s Cillian Burns tried a left footer but it just went wide of the Ardglass posts. Then on a break Daire claimed his hat-trick on 54 minutes from a fast run at the Ardglass goal and that left Ardglass reeling as the gulf widened.
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But Ardglass kept going and Caolan O’Shea almost got through to score. But there was no stopping Killough as skipper Gareth George scored their 5th goal in the 78th minute.
The match got a bit scrappy at this point as it was technically over as Ardglass stared at defeat in the face.
The final nail in the coffin for Ardglass was Jack McLaughlin breaking to the Ardglass goal and keeper James Crangle came out to narrow the attacker’s angle but Jack sent the ball well into the Ardglass net.
Killough were certainly on form. They came, the saw and they conquered.
It was a disappointing day for Ardglass after the several high points the players have experienced in recent months. But hopefully they don’t have too many more issues with the drainage of The Meadow pitch.
Final Score: Ardglass FC 2 6 Killough FC.
Ardglass FC: 1 James. Crangle (GK) 2 Corey Mahon 3 Malachy Crangle 4 Jordan Deegans 5 Caolan O’Shea 6 Ryan McKinney 7 Jamie McDarby 8 John Beattie 9 Michael Magee (C) 10 Karl O’Neill 11 Jordan Finnegan. Subs: 12 Pabhraig O’Shea 14 Shea Dorian 15 Matthew Rooney.
Killough FC: 1 Martin Murphy 2 Riain Burns 3 Gerry Ward 4Sean Og Burns 5 Connor Kelly 6 Ben McLaughlin 7 Adam McCarthy 8 Cilian Burns 9 Gareth George (C) 10 Jack McLaughlin 11 Daire McLaughlin. Subs: 12 Matthew McKiernan 14 Lee Murphy 16 Ceclan Burns.
