Conor’s strike is decider in Kil-Clasico

7 December 2016

SECOND half goals from Jack Larkin and Conor Brennan helped Kilmore plunder the ‘Kil-Clasico’ spoils at a grey Robert Adams Park on Saturday.

However, this was from being a classic encounter with little to enthuse the footballing purist other than honest endeavour and commitment from both sets of players.

Killyleagh put Kilmore under immediate pressure following the kick off and with three minutes gone Callum Dougan, who was as bright as a button early doors, left his maker for dead before firing wide with an explosive effort.

A minute later Peter Strain bombed forward into an attacking position down the right flank, but there was no one at home when his low cross was delivered into the box.

Killyleagh continued to have the better of the chances and with 16 minutes gone Larkin cleared the ball off the line after Dougan had again carved his way through the Kilmore rearguard.

Kilmore slowly started getting a foothold in the game with Sean Bell and Chris Magee to the fore and Paddy Grant was the first to benefit from their diligence, but he was unable to get any power into his shot.

Larkin, who was a menace every time he came forward for a set piece, then got on the end of an Anton McGrattan corner, but Aaron Carberry saved well at the base of the post as the first half ended scoreless.

The second half started with a flourish and with 50 minutes gone Larkin broke the deadlock with a stunning goal.

Grant floated in a free kick and the enterprising centre rose head and shoulders above everyone in the box to head past a stranded Carberry. Killyleagh retaliated immediately and a minute later Rory McDonnell nipped in to clear the ball off the line yet again.

The game had now opened up with both sides going for broke and with 52 minutes gone Chris Turley produced a brilliant save to deny Dougan a certain equaliser.

Lee Morrison was also out of luck when he chanced his arm with Turley, but the commanding ‘keeper was not to be beaten, saving twice in quick succession as Killyleagh upped the ante.

With 60 minutes gone Adrian McCoubrey shot wide after a piercing pass from Strain, but Brennan almost made it 2-0 with his first touch five minutes later at the otter end when his shot was deflected for a corner.

Magee created an opening for mcDonnell, but his effort went over the top before Kilmore seized the insurance goal they had been seeking.

Magee, who revelled in the physicality of the midfield battle, ran at the Killyleagh defence and as they backed off he let fly from just outside the box.

His daisy cutter was definitely on target, but before it could reach Carberry, Brennan did a piece of footwork that Michael Flately would have been proud of and redirected the ball to the bottom corner of the net with a feather-like flick.

Killyleagh were far from finished and Dougan was denied again by Turley before the game was blown up early after an off the ball injury to a Killyleagh player.

Kilmore Rec: C Turley, L McGreevy, M Murphy, J Larkin, M MIskelly, C Magee, R McDonnell, S Bell, R Slavin, A McGrattan, P Grant. Subs: L McGonagle, E McGrattan, C Brennan.

Killyleagh YC: A Carberry, P Strain, J Murray, G Murray, G Carberry, N Walsh, L Morrison, J Sharvin, C Dougan, D McConnell, A McCoubrey. Subs: J Heaney, B Strain, J Hamilton.

Kilmore Rec 2

Killyleagh YC 0

AMATEUR LEAGUE DIVISION 1A

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