Kilmore Rec proved too strong in the NAFL League clash against Killyleagh
The NAFL, Division 1A,
Venue: The Showgrounds, Saturday 25 1 25,
Final Score: Killyleagh 1 5 Kilmore Rec.
Killyleagh YC struggled against the slicker outfit of Kilmore Rec in this local derby clash which always provides great entertainment for local supporters. This match lived up to its expectations and was well refereed by Simon Bickerstaff writes Jim Masson.
It is not often you get a match these days when one or both sides are not constantly challenging the referee undermining his/her authority and football is the ultimate victim, but today was a blessing.
Kilmore being lead leaders in Division 1A on 41 points were favourites from the whistle but Killyleagh even though they were second bottom of the league on 7 points were expected to put up plenty of resistance, and they did. The match, however, never descended into a brutally physical contest, and flowed well.

(Photos by Jim Masson/Down News ©).
The match started with pressure from Kilmore testing out the Killyleagh defences and the home side were not showing any fear of being intimidated by the league leaders.
But on 8 minutes Philip Doran crossed to Sean Bell who rocketed the ball into the Killyleagh net to open the scoring from the middle of the box.
Killyleagh fought back and particularly in the first half, made a few good challenges to the Kilmore goal. Keegan Rice (captain) went just wide on a volley.
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But there was no holding Kilmore Rec back. They piled on the pressure attacking the Killyleagh defence and on 20 minutes Philip Doran got a through ball at the back of the box and although under pressure from two defenders sent off a solid shot giving keeper Jack Coulter no chance.
Again Killyleagh rallied but the Kilmore grindstone got to work again and a few opportunities were in the making for the visitors. Anton McGrattan missed one shot at goal from a cross close in when he almost toed-in in the fast pass.

At one stage Keeper Coulter kicked a poor clearance and Sean Bell almost caught the pass back from a defender to the keeper.
On 29 minutes, Rhys Clarke hammered in a terrific blast past keeper Jack Coulter putting the Rec 3 goals to the good.
On 42 minutes Rhys Clarke crossed to Doran who first timed the kick but it was just over the top bar. Then the Rec won a corner and Doran’s volley on target hit Sean Bell deflecting away and another corner emerged. Just before the half-time whistle, McGrattan lashed a volley but it ricocheted off a defender.
When the whistle blew for half-time, Killyleagh knew they were lucky just to be three goals down.
As the second half progressed Yaroslav Pantilov drove on target but the ball just spun inches wide.
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The match had been played in good competitive spirit but Kodi Carson made a hard tackle on Kilmore Rec captain Michael Carvill and received a red card and Killyleagh were down to 10 players.
Again Killyleagh fought back and were unlucky not to get a goal for their efforts. At the other end, Kilmore’s John Mahoney took a corner but it was well punched clear by Coulter.
Kilmore defender Conor Curran hit a powerful volley but it bounced off the right hand post then sub Caolan Conlin almost popped in a half volley but Coulter did well to stop it as it bobbled over the ground.

The game was fast paced and both teams were up an down the pitch but Kilmore seemed to be getting the lion’s share of the action. McGrattan almost scored with a header but that too bit the top bar.
On 50 minutes Michael Carvill was tripped as he ran through the Killyleagh box and the referee blew for a penalty. Sub Christopher Magee hit the ball well from the spot but keeper Coulter saved it and Curran closed in knocking in the rebound for Kilmore’s fourth goal.
Philip Doran scored his second goal on 78 minutes after Kilmore made a few strong challenges at the Killyleagh goal, the home side gradually wilting under the pressure.
Sam Carson hit in a low shot past Kilmore keeper on the 91st minute for Killyleagh but it was poor compensation for efforts when they could have buried a couple of the opportunities they created especially in the first half.
Kilmore Rec looked the part of the Division 1A leaders – they were well drilled and played as a team proving a right handful for their neighbours Killyleagh in this local derby.
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Killyleagh YC: 1 Jack Coulter (GK) 2 Finlay Keenan 3 Paul Dickson 4 Ethan Davidson 5 Dylan Carberry 6 Keegan Rice (C) 7 Sam Carson 8 Jack Davis 9 Andrew Carberry 10 Tody Cairnduff 11 Kodi Carson. Subs: 12 Kristopher Russell 14 Mark Murray 15 David Johnston.
Kilmore Rec: 1 Laurence McGonigle (GK) 2 John Mahoney 3 Conor Curran 4 Jack Larkin (C) 5 Yaroslav Panfilov 6 Joseph Burns 7 Rhys Clarke 8 Sean Bell 9 Anton McGrattan 10 Michael Carvill 11 Philip Doran. Subs: 12 Christopher Magee 14 Caolan Conlin 15 Eoin McGrattan.