Killyleagh suffer late heartbreak in defeat to Shamrock

Killyleagh suffer late heartbreak in defeat to Shamrock

13 August 2025

KILLYLEAGH YC were unable to continue their strong start to the season when they exited the Irish Cup at the hands of Shamrock in the opening round.

Having registered two wins from their first two league matches, the Whites were out to keep the momentum rolling with a cup victory against their Division 1B colleagues.

Chances were at a premium in the first half, as the two sides entered the break in a goalless deadlock.

Shamrock found an additional gear when the second period got underway, and they made their pressure count when captain Sean Begley fired home. 

Killyleagh quickly responded through Stephen Kennedy, and their case was helped when their opponents found themselves in receipt of two red cards, prior to the game entering extra-time.

However, the YC failed to make use of their numerical advantage and were dully punished, with the depleted visitors snatching a place in the second round courtesy of a Conor Lavery goal at the death.

Killyleagh started the game on top, stringing a series of passes together before Kodi Carson registered the first shot on target after just two minutes.

They came closest when Sam Kirk played a scintillating, defence-splitting pass through to Nathan Leckey, who forced a heroic save from Tiernan Hughes inside the box.

Shamrock, on the other hand, were slow to get going, attempting a few dinked passes and balls down the wing, all of which were comfortably dealt with by the hosts’ new signing, Ross Murray.

The two sides defended with aplomb as the first half wore on, resulting in a distinct lack of chances. 

Murray and David Johnston were particularly effective for the home side, dealing with the opposition winger and overlapping left-back with a minimum of fuss.

The visitors took until the 32nd minute to record a shot on target and even then, Eogan Corrigan’s half-volley was never going to trouble Killyleagh shot-stopper Paddy Douglas.

The hosts found joy on the counter-attack in the closing stages of the first half, but they were left frustrated when Hughes denied Cameron Howard at point-blank range and Kirk’s header was deflected wide.

They picked up where they had left off when play resumed, with a corner causing havoc in the box and ricocheting off the bar, falling at the feet of Carson, who had no time to set himself and scooped over.

The Whites, dumfounded as to how they were not in front, began to suffer lapses in concentration at the back — something Shamrock were keen to exploit.

Jordan Patterson’s failed clearance fell kindly for winger Keelan Hagans, but after he turned his man and cut inside, he dragged his shot wide.

Still, it would not take long for the away side to steal a march on the YC, as after 60 minutes, skipper Begley dribbled past several men and sent a rocket into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Killyleagh, determined to right their wrongs and make their earlier dominance count, took little time in dusting themselves down and restoring parity.

Just three minutes after conceding, they were awarded a promising free-kick on the edge of the box, and Kennedy gave ‘keeper Hughes no chance with a powerful strike.

Shamrock lost their way after the leveller, aggrieved by what they believed was a soft free-kick, and took their frustrations out on the referee.

In the space of just six minutes, both Pearse O’Prey and Garry Breen received their marching orders for dissent.

It was hard to see how Killyleagh would not win from there, but with Shamrock requiring a hero, Hughes stepped up to the mark with a pair of fantastic saves.

He started by denying substitute Caolan Lennon at his near post, after which Stephen Trainor cleared Conor Hamilton’s strike off the line, and forced extra-time when he tipped Howard’s 89th minute effort away from goal.

The majority of the additional 30 minutes provided very little to write home about, with the nine men of the visitors smothering any prospective Killyleagh attack.

It appeared that the match would go the distance and a penalty shoot-out would be needed to decide the outcome, but that would not be necessary.

With 120 minutes on the clock, sub Lavery stunned the home supporters, intercepting Patterson’s back-pass and slotting past Douglas, producing the ultimate smash and grab for Shamrock.

On a positive note, Killyleagh will not be too concerned about exiting the Irish Cup, placing their focus on their Amateur League campaign, as they aim to springboard back to Division 1A.

Killyleagh: P Douglas, D Johnston, E Davidson, R Murray, J Patterson, S Kirk, N Leckey, C Hamilton, C Howard, S Kennedy, K Carson (captain). Subs: C Lennon, A Ross, S Donnan, R Lennon.

Shamrock: T Hughes, G Patterson, C McErlean, G Breen, S Trainor, S Begley (captain), P O’Prey, C Allen, E Corrigan, K Harkabuz, K Hagans. Subs: K Donnelly, B Murphy, C Lavery.