Points are shared in eventful local derby

4 September 2024

THERE was nothing to split Downpatrick and Killough in their fiery league contest at Dunleath playing fields on Saturday.

Both teams had their chances to win this game, with Killough seeing their best opportunities come in the opening 45 minutes, however, Downpatrick held firm and made it to the interval with the scoreline intact.

This was largely thanks to goalkeeper Taylor Beattie, who produced a magnificent save to thwart Killough attacker Tony McIlhone’s effort which was destined for the top corner.

Killough did take the lead through Declan Burns, although this was cancelled out by an Adrian McCoubrey free-kick which went all the way into the net from just inside the halfway mark of the pitch.

Sandwiched in-between the goals was a dismissal, following a second yellow card for Killough midfielder Ben McLaughlin, which set-up a back and forth final 20 minutes of action.

The game kicked off in glorious sunshine and immediately Killough gained a foothold on the encounter and began pressing forward.

Daire McLaughlin was looking particularly tricky down the right flank for Killough, with his evasive movement causing the Downpatrick defence a host of problems.

With the feisty history shared between the two teams, it came as no surprise that referee Joe McAuley was kept continually busy, brandishing a total of seven yellow cards.

Downpatrick’s Barry Treacy was doing a solid job of ruffling Killough feathers in an attempt to get under the visiting team’s skin while team-mate Nathan McAlister made efforts to make inroads down the wing.

But, the first half of possession went to Killough, although the away side just couldn’t finish their chances.

Plenty were made, thanks to Daire McLaughlin and Jamie McIlhone, however, often chances flashed across the box and the crucial touch was missing.

Killough number nine Declan Burns was released and toe poked his effort beneath ‘keeper Beattie, although this was chalked off for offside, which was a regular first half occurrence thanks to Downpatrick’s timely defensive high line.

Downpatrick custodian Beattie then pulled off that fantastic save to deny McIlhone and afterwards the hosts settled to make it to the break.

Upon the restart, Downpatrick clearly had reshuffled and were finding their groove.

The intensity picked up for the home side with the introduction of Adrian McCoubrey, and this allowed players such as Tony Carson and Josh Montgomery to begin stringing passes together.

Killough midfielder Ruairi Sharvin was clattered by a rather heavy tackle and with Ryan McIlhone summoned from the bench, this proved to be an inspiring substitution.

Just a few seconds later, McIlhone received the ball before threading a pass through to team-mate Declan Burns, whose first time effort found the bottom corner.

This came after 68 minutes but it wouldn’t take long for the momentum to swing the other way.

In the few minutes which followed, Killough midfielder Ben McLaughlin – who had played an instrumental role in the centre of the pitch beforehand – picked up a second yellow card and suddenly the away side were down to ten men.

And then, in the 73rd minute, Downpatrick were awarded a free-kick just over the halfway line and substitute McCoubrey opted to thump his effort in a direct fashion.

Bouncing over the last line of defence, the ball had enough power behind it to beat Killough ‘keeper Martin Murphy to level the contest.

Both teams went for broke in the final 15 minutes and despite some late drama, which included another offside ruling against a Killough goal, that was put in the net by Gareth George, there was nothing to separate the sides.

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