Killough FC Lift Harry Clarke Cup
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League.
The Harry Clarke Cup.
Killough 1-1 (6-5 in penalties.)
Two of the top teams in the Newcastle and District Amateur Football League slugged it out for the Harry Clarke Cup at Meadowvale in Drumaness on Easter Monday writes Jim Masson
Killough FC triumphed over Ballynagross FC is a very close match that was only decided after 18 penalty kicks. It literally went to the wire!
Both teams put on sporting, competitive performances throughout in this duel in the Easter sun, but it was Killough who came through on a penalty taken by defender Riain Burns after players on both teams missed a total of 6 penalties due mainly to very tired legs and the excellent goal keeping from Ballynahross’ Cathal Arnold and Killough’s James Crangle, the latter winning the Man of the Match honours.
On the whistle it was Ballynagross who got of to a sharp start when Declan Looney hit the side net following an early free kick opportunity. As the match progressed, it was Killough that did much of the attacking
But Killough’s Conor Kelly, a contender for Man of the Match, stepped up to the plate and put early pressure on Ballynagross with a couple of solid attacks on the right forcing Ballynagross to give away free kicks.
Killough built up the pressure and the play was mostly in the Ballynagross half. Cillian Burns put through an excellent pass to Sean Og Burns flanked by two defenders but he managed to make his shot at goal forcing Cathal Arnold to push the ball out for a corner.
PHOTOS from the Harry Clarke Cup Final – by Jim Masson.
It was 10 minutes before Ballynagross could get a challenge on the Killough goal with a run from Philip Doran but Sean Og Burns intervened. Ballynagross won a free kick and defender Cilian McKermit made an excellent pass to John Polley but he was at full stretch and could not make the contact for a shot at goal.
Play moved back into the Ballynagross half again and Cilian Burns made a excellent volley but it just drifted wide. Killough looked the sharper of the 2 teams with their quicker tackling and passing, but the Ballynagross back four were holding their line well against a steady pressure from their opponents.
Killough almost scored in a great move as Declan Looney passed through to captain Daniel Taggart in the box who hit hard and low. A brilliant reflex save by Arnold pushed the ball out for a corner from what looked like a certain goal.
Celebration PHOTOS in Anchor Bar by Jim Masson
Killough ramped up the pressure on Ballynagross who maintained their composure well. On 22 minutes, a play from Riain Burns to Cillian Burns to Looney just went askew with a bad connection but this was Killough’s best opportunity so far in the match to open up a score. Ballynagross were proving to be a very tough nut to crack despite the energy Killough were expending.
Ballynagross had an opportunity when they managed to attack when Doran was fouled and the well-taken free kick by Joseph Burns was just a fraction over the top bar over the heads of the wall of Killough defenders.
Quickly Killough responded and were back up field and a Riain Burns volley was well held by keeper Arnold. Then Ballynagross had a spell when they pressed forward and a Thomas McNeill cross to the head of Doran was just wide. Ballynagross needed to capitalise on these opportunities if they were to see off Killough.
This play was soon followed by another header effort by Doran who just nodded the ball over the bar on 30 minutes. Shortly afterwards, a free kick by Ballynagross went to the head of Cormac Byrne who glanced the ball at the Killough nets but keeper Crangle come out quickly to get the ball under control.
But through the first half Kelly was pressing Killough well had a half opportunity again on 36 minutes. But it was a credit to both defences and goal keepers that they were on form.
Then Ballynagross made a useful run on their right and Polley hit the post with a solid volley coming off a defender for a corner. Then as Ballynagross exerted pressure, a header from Cormac Byrne into the top of the Killough net put them in the lead much against the run of play at 42 minutes.
Killough wasted no time and were straight into the ‘Gross half and Riain Burns was taken down just outside the box as tensions escalated just before the half-time break. But it was Ballynagross who pushed the ball back into the Killough half and to maintain their precious lead going into the break.
The Killough work-rate was high but they still at this stage had nothing to show for their efforts and it was advantage Ballynagross but all to play for.
At the re-start, Killough showed they were determined to press for a goal and a good move from Taggart to Looney 2 minutes in saw the ball in the Ballynagross net but the goal was disallowed as offside was given.
The game started to see-saw into the second half, and the pace slowed, but Luke Shields made an excellent run into the box but was disposed by Killough defenders. Killough then responded and Cillian Burns made a short pass to Looney whose clipped the ball on target but again Arnold was there to cancel out his efforts. A minute later it was Killough’s Cillian Burns who volleyed but Arnold was there again to gather up the shot looking comfortable in the ‘Gross goals.
Both teams were certainly trying to score desperately and Polley shot wide of the Killough posts. This had now become a match where a goal looked imminent by either side. Kelly took a free kick 5 yards outside the ‘Gross box but it was just off target over the bar.
Killough went up a gear once more in attack mode and a Caoimhim Groves header was held by keeper Arnold. Corey Davis had an excellent duel with Cillian Burns in the box on 62 minutes. The match was starting to look as though Ballynagross could just hang on to their slender one goal lead against a Killough side battling for everything. And Burns again almost connected for a goal.
The ‘Gross back four of McNeill, McKermit, Marron and Davis looked impressive and were doing enough the keep Killough at bay. A good run by Doran passing through to Shields almost saw a second goal for the ‘Gross but the shot ricocheted off Crangle for a corner.
And then the expected happened… both teams started to tire and players were cramping up!
On 30 minutes, Kelly made a useful attack and fought off 3 defenders to try and lob the ball over keeper Arnold but was just wide of target. Then 12 minutes later, when matters were at the desperate stage for Killough needing a goal to get into extra time to have a chance of winning, it was Kelly again who flanked by 4 defenders, managed to find the space to hit the ball past Arnold into the ‘Gross net who was closing him down. There were appeals for a hand ball but the referee waved to the centre spot as the match was now drawn and just 3 minutes play plus extra time to go.
Both teams battled through pain and exhaustion to compete. Despite the efforts of the forwards on both teams, it was the two goal keepers, Crangle and Arnold, who stood tall kept the ball out of their nets despite several attempts by both sides.
Kelly, George and Taggart and sub James Hanna were giving their all for Killough. But to no avail. Arnold denied their every effort.
The match then went to a penalty shoot out with Killough winning 1-2 (6-5 on penalties), Riain Burns hammering in the coffin nail to Ballynagross’ hopes of winning the Harry Clarke Cup.
Speaking at the presentation, Conrad Kirkwood, President of the IFA, congratulated both teams on an excellent final.
Conor Doyle, Killough co-manager, said afterwards: “This was a team effort and myself and Gerard Kelly as joint managers are proud of our team in winning the Harry Clarke Cup. It is a great end for our season.”
Killough FC: James Crangle, Riain Burns, Lee Murphy, Eamon Gargan, Sean Og Burns, Caoimhin Groves, Conor Kelly, Gareth George, (C), Daniel Taggart, Cillian Burns, Declan Looney. Subs: James Hanna, Colm Stranney, Tony McIlhone, Ruairi Sharvin, Declan Burns.
Ballynagross FC: Cathal Arnold, Thomas McNeill, Cilian McKermit, Conor Marron (C), Corey Davis, John Polley, Shea McComiskey, Cormac Byrne, Joseph Burns, Philip Doran, Luke Shields. Subs: John Mahoney, Philip Traynor, Shaun Tumelty. Deaglan Craig.
