Castlewellan secure fourth title in a row

Castlewellan secure fourth title in a row

14 May 2014

CASTLEWELLAN duly completed their catch-up schedule to lift the Newcastle League’s Premier Division title for the fourth year in a row at the Mill Field on Thursday night.

You just couldn’t beat Castlewellan with a big stick. Ten days ago they were nine points behind leaders Ballyvea — who had finished their programme weeks ago — with three games to play and to make matters that little bit harder the Carginagh Road side had a plus-14 better goal difference.

However, Castlewellan don’t know the meaning of the word quit and they hammered Maghera 15-0 last Tuesday night.

A 7-0 win over Strangford on Saturday left them going into last Thursday’s showdown knowing that a win of any sort would secure the Rathmourne Cup. And they knew that Killough would most definitely not roll over and hand them the crown.

It is no secret that quite an intense rivalry exists between these two sides and not always a friendly one, so a 

battle royal was in store and that’s exactly what we got for the first 45 minutes.

Killough went at the champions-elect hammer and tong, but it was the Town’s Donagh Steele who had the first real shot of the contest when he had a strike well saved by Chris Mallon.

Four minutes later, Donal McKibben had a shot saved by Mallon before John Clarke blasted over following a long throw from Barry Travers.

With 17 minutes gone Killough mounted counterattack, but Freddie O’Connor fired over after good work from the threatening Conor Kelly.

Ten minutes later, Conor Doyle threaded a through ball into Kelly who set-up Philip Gelston, but Aidy Burns saved well.

With 30 minutes gone Kelly fired over a great cross from the left, but Ross Armstrong headed over.

Back came Castlewellan and with 40 minutes gone Armstrong bundled Trainor over as he raced through unmarked, but the free kick came to nothing when Mallon saved McKibben’s effort.

Three minutes later Castlewellan made the breakthrough when McKibben made the most of a three-pronged challenge from Nicky O’Connor, Armstrong and Leo Noble. Danny Morgan dispatched the ensuing penalty to the back of the net to put his side in pole position.

Killough tried to get back on level terms before the break and right on the stroke of half-time Doyle’s measured pass picked out Kelly, but 

he was denied by a super save by Burns.

The second half wasn’t played at such a ferocious pace and it took 11 minutes before the first opening was created by Castlewellan, but Mallon saved smartly at the base of the post to deny McKibben.

Two minutes later the impressive John Clarke combined with Morgan to release the overlapping Travers, but he shot wide. With 59 minutes gone Noble sliced a Morgan cross over his own bar when the ball could have gone anywhere.

Castlewellan were now enjoying the freedom of the park, all the fight seemed to have left Killough and it got worse for the home side in the 67th minute when Morgan drilled in an absolute beauty from 25 yards out, 2-0 and coasting.

Killough were now playing for their pride, but they received a body blow when Mallon had to go off with a shoulder injury and was replaced in nets by Doyle.

Castlewellan had the bit between their teeth and Morgan completed his hat-trick in the 77th minute when he converted from close in after good work from skipper Dean Anderson.

It was fitting that the last goal of the game came from the talismanic Town leader, who headed in a Conall Burns cross in the 90th minute.

Killough: C. Mallon, N. O’Connor, M. Burns, J. Clarke, C. Stranney, L. Noble, F. O’Connor, C. Doyle, R. Armstrong, P. Gelston, C. Kelly. Subs: M. McKiernan, C. Tully, M. Armstrong.

Castlewellan: A. Burns, B. Travers, R. McArdle, C. Stratton, J. Clarke, D. Steele, D. Anderson, N. Toner, D. McKibben, D. Morgan, S. Trainor. Subs: C. Burns, A. Dornan, T. Beckett.

Killough 0

Castlewellan 4

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