The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League.
The Harry Clarke Cup.
Played at Meadowvale, Drumaness.
Monday 22nd April 2019 at 1.30pm.
Killough 3 Ballynagross 1.
At a sun-baked Meadowvale Park in Drumaness, Killough and Ballynagross faced each other in the Harry Clarke cup final and it was the sea-siders who came away with the silver.
As underdogs, Killough had beaten the much fancied Celtic Bhoys in the semi-final and once again pulled out all the stops in demolishing rivals Ballynagross who beat Mourne Rovers in the semi-final.
Ballynagross were on paper favourites, but the tactics of Killough were on the day too much for the Ballynagross team who struggled with the pace and determination of Killough.
Killough, noted for its fast play and attacking football, held back slightly as the game progressed. Neither side wanted to lose an early goal so the play for the first ten minutes was about testing out the opposition and settling into the game with confidence.
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Ballynagross made one excellent challenge into the Killough box just after two minutes when Dowie sprang into action when a chip landed at his feet but was denied by Killough keeper Peter Kelly.
There was much play up and down the pitch with both teams building up attacks, but both defences were as sound as a pound. Jack McLaughlin had a great game. His first real run down the middle ended with an excellent volley only seeing keeper Cathal Arnold block it. This was followed by another shot from Tony McIlhone just over the bar. The Killough work-rate was accelerating and they generated a fast pace of play not allowing Ballynagross to settle.
After ten minutes, Killough had proven they could get to the Ballynagross goal, their next objective was to get the ball in the net, and try they did.
But Ballynagross were fighting for their honour and it took a brave bit of defending from Groves to prevent the Gross from scoring as he intervened crucially in one attack when Ross Armstrong was breaking for the goal.
Minutes later at the other end of the pitch, Looney unleashed a ferocious volley at an angle at the Ballynagross goal but Cathal Arnold held it well.
Then immediately George made another critical clearance for Killough as Ballynagross probed their defences once again.
Loonie made another great run on the right making it difficult for the defenders to tackle him and his shot at goal was just over the bar. Killough won another corner keeping Ballynagross pinned in their half when they could.
Then there was a huge roar from the Ballynagross fans as Dowie headed the ball into the middle of the net to put Ballynagross one goal up in the 28th minute. He soared above the defenders and connected with the ball well.
Ballynagross were growing in confidence as the goal came at just the right time for them. But Killough replied quickly and proceeded with a few quick attacks on Ballynagross looking for an equaliser.
Killough were certainly piling on the pressure and won a few corners but then a bolt from the blue shook Ballynagross as Looney struck in the box and found the back of the Ballynagross net for the equaliser.
Ballynagross fought back and a lob into the Killough box typified their strategy for much of the game. They relied too much on putting the ball over the heads of the Killough defence.
After the 30 minute water-break, Killough seemed to be the more hungrier of the two teams as they were pressing as much as they could. There was a serious moment of danger for Ballynagross as McIlhone put the ball through to Looney who raced in to the goal area but Cathal Arnold read the move and came out quickly cutting down the shooting angle.
Could Killough keep up their fast rate of play in the Easter heat, that was the question? The Ballynagross back line of Smith, Shields, Beattie and Marron, was working well containing a determined Killough given the volume of attacks. And forward half-back Matthew Rooney for Ballynagross in one attack was trying to find a way into the Killough box but it was well sealed. One opportunity arose when defender Shields put through to Rooney who shot at goal but skewed the shot wide of the right post. Ballynagross were pressing more as the first period ended.
Aaron Beattie was solid in defence in the first half and was instrumental in muscling Loonie off the ball in a potentially dangerous attack.
Just before half-time Deaghlan Arnold took down Killough’s Tony McIlhone and a free was awarded for Killough. The shot went wide and they lost the advantage of a possible goal strike just on the whistle.
By half-time, both teams were feeling the effects of the warm day.
In the second period, Ballynagross got off to a solid start with excellent pressure on Killough. Niall Laverty struck a peach of a shot to the back post at an angle to the Killough goal forcing keeper Kelly to finger the ball out at full stretch for a corner. Then the Gross won another free and Marron sent it over the bar. Ballynagross had found the opportunities but could not capitalise on them. Killough were giving away too many frees, a sign that the Ballynagross pressure may be paying off.
Then Shields took down Killough’s Tony McIlhone and Freddie O’Connor took the shot but again it was just over the bar. Killough had not been getting close to the Ballynagross goal up to that point and Looney seemed to have slowed down his pacey runs. But a gritty Killough started to claw their way back into the game again in one attack that saw McIlhone try a diving header.
But sub Conor Kelly turned the game round for Killough when defender George dropped an excellent ball to him in the box and Kelly struck it well giving Cathal Arnold no chance of saving it.
Immediately Ballynagross now trailing by a goal fought back and won a free outside the Killough box. Deaglan Arnold lined it up but sent it just over the top post.
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Killough replied with Tony McIlhone crossing to Conor Kelly who unleashed a volley at the Ballynagross goal but it as just off target missing the opportunity to finish off Ballynagross.
The match reached the second water break, and Ballynagross needed to find a goal quickly with 15 minutes left to play. Ballynagross mounted a fight back but Killough smelled blood and they were rampant, in the lead by one goal but knew another would kill off Ballynagross’ dreams of a Harry Clarke Cup win.
Then just when Ballynagross thought they could pull back a goal in the dying embers of the game, Gareth George charged through the Ballynagross defence and as keeper Arnold came out he found the space to slot the ball into the net for Killough’s third goal with just two minutes left to play.
It was a decisive win for the ‘underdogs’ Killough who came out winners on the day.
Killough manager Gerard Kelly said: “The fans today are delighted at this win and that says it all. The team played well and kept up the pace on this warm day giving their all. I’m delighted for the players and the fans. It’s a great day for Killough. They deserve a good rest after this match.
“Our tactics paid off. We kept up the pace and controlled as much of the play as we could. It was a real team effort and well done to the players.”
Killough joint manager Kieran Sharvin said: “This has been a brilliant performance by Killough. We came here looking like the underdogs but proved that we could deliver on the day.
“The team have played and trained hard all season and showed their passion today. It was a real team effort. And I am proud of the lads in what they have achieved.”
Killough FC: Peter Kelly, Freddie O’Connor, Gareth George, Caoimhin Groves, Colm Stranney, Tony McIlhone, Jack McLaughlin, Michael Burns, Ross Armstrong, Ryan McIlhone, Declan Looney. Subs: Connor Kelly, Matthew McKiernan, Ruairi Sharvin, Jason Clarke, Ben McLaughlin.
Ballynagross FC: Cathal Arnold, Patrick Smith, John Shields, Aaron Beattie, Connor Marron, Mark Magill, Niall Laverty, Matthew Rooney, Declan Dowie, Deaglan Arnold, Daniel Taggart (c). Subs: Cormac Byrne, Kieran Taggart, Philip Doran, Column Craig, Déaglán Craig.
