It was honours even after a battle between Killough and Strangford
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football Association,
Premier League match,
Venue: Millfield, on 19 4 2025,
Final Score: Killoughxa0xa04xa0xa04xa0xa0Strangford.
Strangford travelled the short journey to Killough and after a hard fought battled it was honours even. Both sides started well but it was the visitors who opened the scoring on 6 minutes with a sharp finish from striker Conal Fitzsimons writes Cyril McKinney.
But within 4 minutes the sides were level when Gareth George fired to the net.
The game was end to end and every ball contested with no quarter given.
On 17 minutes Strangford were back in front through Conal Fitzsimons finishing off a through-ball from Jack Fitzsimons that gave Marty Murphy in the Killough nets no chance.
Back came Killough and their veteran talisman Tony McIlhonexa0xa0levelled things up at the back post on 23 minutes to make it 2-2 halfway through the first half.
Chances came and went for both sides until Jack Fitzsimons put Strangford back in front on 32 minutes after great work and pass on the left flank from Conal Fitzsimons.
With Strangford 3-2 up at the break Killough came out on the front foot and it Cillian Burns who was in the right place at the right time in front of goal on 54 minutes and he made no mistake from close in to make it 3-3.
Strangford responded and Aodhan Harney nodded home to put Strangford back in front on 61 minutes.
Killough were not done but could not find a way through despite having much of the play while Strangford were wasteful in front of goal on a number of occasions as well.
Driven on by Tony McIlhone Killough kept going and were finally rewarded when Connor “Ta Ta” Kelly fired home from close range on 87 minutes to leave things at 4-4 at the final whistle.
Both sides having traded blow for blow might be unhappy at some of their defensive displays but this was a game either side could have won.
But Killough deserved something from this game after good performances from Tony McIlHone and his son Jamie along with Cillian Burns who were all a threat all afternoon.
Killough FC: Martin Murphy, Declan Burns, Lee Murphy, Connor Kelly, Sean Og Burns, Cillian Burns, Tony McIlhone , Aidan McGarrity, Jamie McIlhone , Gareth George, Michael Burns. Subs: Eamon Tierney forxa0xa0Gareth George, Colum Craig forxa0xa0Michael Burns, Ryan McIlhone for Declan Burns.
Strangford FC: Darragh Ellison, Eoin Watterson,xa0xa0C McGouran, Fionn McFall, Shane Teggart, Owen Curran, Aodhan Harney, David Shields, Conall Fizsimons, James Mahoney, Jack Fitzsimons. Subs: Michael Shields, Conall Black.
