Plaudits to Kilmore in one-sided ‘Kilclassico’

Plaudits to Kilmore in one-sided ‘Kilclassico’

29 January 2025

A FIVE-STAR performance saw Kilmore Rec put old foes Killyleagh YC to the sword as they claimed the first ‘Kilclassico’ of the season.

Sean Bell fired the Blues in front with an expert finish in the early stages of the derby, while Philip Doran and Rhys Clarke were on target to give them a commanding lead in the first half. 

The YC were left chasing the game throughout and the hill they had to climb evolved into a mountain when Yaroslav Panfilov found the net and Doran made it a double.

Sam Carson’s goal took the bad look off the score line for Killyleagh, but their solitary goal could not deflect from what was a day to forget.

Kilmore took control of the game straight from kick-off and immediately began to go for the jugular, sensing some weaknesses in the new-look Killyleagh defence.

The Whites held firm in the opening exchanges and threatened on the counter-attack, earning a series of corners, but failing to make them count. 

The home defenders were playing with their hearts on their sleeves, but just could not deal with the sheer fire-power of the Kilmore attack and before long, found themselves behind. 

Doran burst down the left wing, beating a sliding Ethan Davidson and taking the ball to the byline before cutting it back to Bell, who rifled into the bottom corner.

The visitors’ goal did not seem to disrupt the hosts’ game plan and while they continued to defend well and attack on the counter, they could not find an opening and the game became stagnant. 

That was until Kilmore employed a counter of their own, doubling their lead from out of nowhere when Doran latched on to an exquisite long ball from John Mahoney, displayed a deft touch and lifted the ball over goalkeeper Jack Coulter. 

Killyleagh were rocked by their rivals’ second goal and as their heads began to , their afternoon went from bad to worse. 

Kilmore captain Jack Larkin headed Michael Carvill’s free kick down to the feet of Bell, who cushioned his pass across goal to set up Clarke for an easy finish and a 3-0 lead within 30 minutes.

The first half seemed to lose its spark after the third goal and with the sides playing out a combatant final 15 minutes, they both would have been happy to hear the half-time whistle.

After a slow start to the second half from both teams, any hopes Killyleagh would have had about staging an unlikely comeback dissipated when Kodi Carson was sent for an early bath for a high tackle on Carvill.

The Blues utilised their numerical advantage and were awarded a penalty after YC debutant Paul Dickson tripped Doran. 

Centre-back Panfilov is normally accurate from the spot and although he was unsuccessful this time, he made no mistake with the rebound. 

However, Rec were not satisfied with just four goals and continued to press on, hoping to cast further salt into their rivals’ wounds.

They came marginally close twice in the space of two minutes, with Coulter producing a superb diving save to deny Anton McGrattan in a one-on-one situation and Conor Curran striking the post from miles out.

Goal number five eventually fell for Kilmore in the 78th minute when Doran crept into the box, found space and whipped a curling strike into the bottom right from a tight angle.

Despite trailing 5-0, Robert Todd’s side refused to lie down and let Kilmore have it all their own way.

They were denied a clear penalty with 10 minutes to go, with substitute Mark Murray being sandwiched between two defenders, before Finlay Keenan grazed the top of the crossbar with an audacious, yet unlucky, attempt from distance. 

Killyleagh were eventually rewarded with a consolation goal in the 90th minute, as Sam Carson leapt highest to head Murray’s long throw past ‘keeper Laurence McGonagle and round off the scoring.

Killyleagh YC will now go back to the drawing board as they continue in their hunt for survival, while Kilmore will hope for more of the same as they push on towards the title.

Killyleagh: J Coulter, F Keenan, P Dickson, E Davidson, D Carberry, K Rice (captain), S Carson, J Davis, A Carberry, T Carinduff, K Carson. Subs: K Russell, M Murray, D Johnston.

Kilmore: L McGonagle, J Mahoney, C Curran, J Larkin (captain), Y Panfilov, J Burns, R Clarke, S Bell, A McGrattan, M Carvill, P Doran. Subs: C Magee, C Conlon, E McGrattan.