Strangford dethrone Killough

Strangford dethrone Killough

12 April 2023

STRANGFORD were crowned Harry Clarke Cup champions after an action-packed Easter showdown with Killough at Drumaness’ Meadowvale ground on Monday.

The final had just about everything a neutral would have wanted, including a blistering start to the contest that saw three goals inside the opening nine minutes.

That 2-1 scoreline favoured the Strangford outfit, whose two goals came from striker Conal Fitzsimmons and defender Conall Magee, before Connor Kelly rapidly replied for Killough.

However, Strangford came out strongest in the second half and were rewarded with a goal from the dangerous James Mahoney which ultimately proved to be the winner.

Killough battled hard until the very end, with a late strike from Declan Looney setting up a grandstand finish.

But, Strangford refused to give up their advantage and held on for a memorable cup scalp which will go down in the club’s history as an important day to remember.

Both teams were hampered with unexpected injuries before kick-off, with Strangford’s Thomas Fitzsimons ping out of the starting 11 and Killough midfielder Tony McIlhone absent through illness.

With the line-ups reassessed, the teams took to the pitch and it was Strangford who began quickest.

After just two minutes, a mismanaged back pass in the Killough defence allowed Strangford marksman Conal Fitzsimmons the opportunity to quickly get his shot off which he dispatched into the bottom corner to open the scoring.

With Killough heads still spinning, Strangford doubled down on their attack and found themselves two goals in front after five minutes.

Strangford attacker James Mahoney was seemingly fouled during his build-up, but referee Anthony Russell allowed play to continue as the advancing Conall Magee opted to strike first time.

His effort flew into the net to leave Strangford in dreamland after just five minutes.

Killough needed to settle as they were in danger of collapsing and they responded in the most positive way possible as Connor Kelly showed his marker a clean pair of heels before cleverly finishing past onrushing ‘keeper Cathal Kinsella.

This gave Killough impetus who piled on the pressure and looked on more than a few occasions that they were going to draw level.

Firstly, striker Jay Gibney lobbed ‘keeper Kinsella, but his effort just looped wide of the target in what was a real let off for Strangford.

Then, Killough had the chance to go level again as Gibney bravely engaged in an aerial battle with the Strangford number one, with the ball landing to the feet of team-mate Kelly, whose shot went agonisingly wayward.

Strangford did come under the cosh, but to their credit they were helped largely by the standout performances of man of the match Jordan Doran, defenders Fionn McFall and Conall Magee as well as Shane Teggart and Callum Shields.

These efforts helped Strangford go into the break a goal ahead but after the interval Killough would not offer as much in the way of attacking.

It seemed Strangford continued to press and were beginning to pin back Killough, who were struggling to get going after the break.

Killough midfielders Dylan Duffy and Ruairí Sharvin were certainly putting in a shift for their side, but the team would lose further momentum after the latter sustained an injury after crashing into the surrounding wall during an attack.

With Sharvin struggling from this, Strangford punted the ball forward to attacker Mahoney, who beat the offside trap before cutting inside to evade a last ditch Killough tackle before smashing home his effort into the top corner.

With a little over 20 minutes to go Strangford boasted a two-goal advantage, although Killough did manage to eventually pull one back as Declan Looney converted a cross into the net from close range.

With Killough throwing everything at Strangford, the eventual winners held strong and managed to clear every attack that came their way until the final whistle was blown.

Following the victory, Strangford manager Russell Swail reflected on his team’s crowning moment.

“It feels terrific,” he said.

“It’s going to take a while to sink in as this result is a compilation of about four years worth of work.

“To get a Harry Clarke medal and trophy is incredible, they are a great group of lads.”

Killough: C Doyle, C Black, G George, K Groves, E Gargan, R Sharvin, D Looney, D Duffy, J Gibney, C Kelly, D Taggart.

Subs: M McKiernan, M Burns, R McIlhone, J Hanna, T Quinn.

Yellow cards: E Gargan, D Taggart, C Black.

Red card: M McKiernan.

Strangford: C Kinsella, S McGrattan, C Magee, S Teggart, F McFall, M Lawson, O Curran, C Shields, C Fitzsimmons, J Mahoney, J Doran.

Subs: E Watterson, S Savage, S Scranage, S Cultra, R Reilly.

Yellow cards: C Kinsella, S Teggart, M Lawson.