Arnold’s acrobatics save day for ‘Gross in thriller

23 January 2019

CATHAIL Arnold saved the day for Ballynagross when they booked their place in the quarter-finals of the Harry Clarke Cup at Mountain Quarter on Saturday.

The cup holders seemed well on their way to an ignominious exit when they trailed 2-1 and were down to nine men as the game entered added time.

However, Kieran Taggart, not for the first time in an illustrious career, was perfectly placed to stab in a dramatic equaliser and send the game to extra time.

Both sides seemed to have settled for penalties and little of note was recorded in both periods of extra time, but the shoot-out was a different matter.

Darryl McGrady’s first spot kick for Ballynagross would have hit Paddy’s Barn had it not been for the crossbar and ball net behind the goal.

It was advantage Carryduff when the prolific Jonny Wilkinson netted Carryduff’s first penalty, but it then became the Arnold show with Cathail producing three spell-binding saves to save Ballynagross’ bacon.

Carryduff took the game to the hosts, but were unable to create anything as Ballynagross held firm.

Ballynagross then started using the wide open spaces to great effect and Declan Dowie and Daniel Taggart both had shots well saved by Chris Gibson.

With 14 minutes gone Daniel Taggart was again off target following a corner and a minute at the other end, a Conor Kerr begged to be put away, but there was nobody at home.

Ballynagross duly broke the deadlock in the 18th minute. Carryduff failed to deal with a free kick from Connor Marron and when a sliced shot from Paul O’Reilly fell at the feet of Donal McCavera, the ‘ice man’ made no mistake with an unerring finish.

With 24 minutes gone Dowie seemed to have been fouled as he surged into the box, but the referee signalled that the player had lost control of the ball and didn’t award a penalty.

Fair play to Carryduff as they continually looked to find a way in behind a Ballynagross back four, who like to sit deep, but anything that Wilkinson could muster was easily dealt with by Cathail Arnold.

Ballynagross started to see a bit more of the ball as the half drew to a close and the exciting Niall Laverty had two shots in quick succession saved by Gibson.

The second half took a while to get going, but it literally exploded into life after only a few minutes. Ballynagross were awarded a free kick just outside the Carryduff box for a foul on Declan Dowie, but out of nowhere a fracas developed with practically every player on the pitch involved.

When the dust settled, Ballynagross’ Dowie and Carryduff’s Karl Flynn were sent for early showers.

This incident seemed to unsettle Ballynagross and they just weren’t as fluent. Mind you, they continued to create chances with Gibson keeping out efforts from McCavera and Deaglan Arnold.

Carryduff then threw the cat among the pigeons when Wilkinson brought the sides level from the penalty spot after Laverty was adjudged to have brought down Callum Mahoney — a GAA team-mate from Saul GAC — it was game on.

Eoin Conway blasted an effort over the top before Wilkinson headed in a cross from Aodhan McManus to give his side a 2-1 lead with only 17 minutes remaining.

Ballynagross huffed and puffed in a bid to bet back in contention, bit things went from bad to worse when they lost Matt Rooney to a second yellow card.

Now down to nine men, Ballynagross looked dead and buried, especially when McGrady headed over from close in.

But ‘KT’ was ready to answer the call.

Cormac Byrne chanced his arm with a shot from outside the box. His effort hit the base of the post and seemed to be rolling over the line until Gibson dragged the ball away in desperation.

Taggart was waiting to pounce and Gibson had no sooner saved the day when he was picking the ball out of the net to send the game to extra time.

Compared to what had gone on before, the 20 minutes of extra time were a bit tedious as the combatants settled for penalties. Cathail Arnold then came into a class of his own, saving from Davy Quigley, Ryan Bradley and Conor Kerr to send his side into the last eight.

Deaglan Arnold, Cathail Arnold and Connor Marron were on target from the spot for Ballynagross.

Ballynagross: Cathail Arnold, Connor Marron, Paul O’Reilly, Darryl McGrady, Aaron Beattie, Niall Laverty, Deaglan Arnold, Matt Rooney, Daniel Taggart, Declan Dowie, Donal McCavera. Subs: Cormac Byrne, Mark Magill, Kieran Taggart, John Shields, Ciaran Evans.

Carryduff Athletic: Chris Gibson, Tony Smith, Colin Shankleton, Carl Flynn, Davy Quigley, Conor Kerr, Niall Basketfield, Eon Conway, Jonny Wilkinson, Callum Mahoney, Aodhan McManus. Subs: Michael Woods, Ryan Bradley, Davy Boal, Davy Patterson.

Ballynagross 5

Carryduff Athletic 4

(2-2 after extra time)

HARRY CLARKE CUP 2ND ROUND

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