Killough beat leaders ‘Gross

Killough beat leaders ‘Gross

19 January 2022

IT was a game full of chances and one that could decide who is top of the league at the end of the season. 

Ballynagross were missing Luke Shields up front, but new signing Jack Fitzsimons was on the sidelines. Killough fielded a strong squad and the game was scheduled to be a tight affair, and it did not disappoint.

Killough got out of the gate very quickly. In the sixth minute a long pass from goalkeeper James Crangle met the head of Connor Kelly, who found team-mate Jack McLaughlin.

The Killough midfielder made the run for goal and after a slight error by the Ballynagross defence, McLaughlin saw the ball into the back of the net to put his side 1-0 up. 

The next 15 minutes  invlovedplenty of close action. Corey Davis had a chance to level from a corner kick but the ball went just wide of the post. 

Killough were on full attack for their second goal of the game. A beautifully weighted ball in from Gareth George up the left wing found the reliable Declan Looney, who slotted home in the 21st minute. Connor Marron had another chance before the half-time whistle for Ballynagross from a corner kick, but the ball just went over the bar.

In the 50th minute, Ballynagross had their chance to get back into the game. 

A pass from John Shields through to Philip Doran allowed the striker to test ‘keeper Crangle, who made a smart save. 

However, Shea McComiskey was there to follow up the rebound and bring his side to within one.

Killough made all three changes within ten minutes of the goal, with Daniel Taggart, Ruairi Sharvin and Declan Burns entering the fray. 

Ballynagross could not find a way through, so decided to make changes of their own in the form of Jack Fitzsimons, John Mahoney and Ryan Tumelty. 

Killough kept their high intensity style of play through Kevin Groves and Gareth George, who were solid in the middle of the park. 

It was all action in the last ten minutes of the game which featured an unbelievable save by Crangle.

Ballynagross’ Jo-Jo Burns struck a free kick from the edge of the box which looked certain to ripple the net before Crangle somehow got his fingers to the ball and pushed it over the bar. 

Ballynagross lifted the tempo again, but Killough were holding on. Burns lined up another free-kick as the clock ticked down and his looping effort was once again saved by Crangle., 

Despite the ball still remaining in play and a questionable clearance, the referee blew his whistle to signal full time. The Ballynagross players showed their frustration in protest for a penalty call, but the referee had already made up his mind. 

The man of the match was the Killough number one, who made a number of amazing saves throughout the game and truly made the difference. 

Ballynagross will go away from the game unhappy not to be leaving with at least a point, while Killough’s chances of winning the league still very much depends on their five games in hand.