Dougan hat-trick is spot on for Kilmore in final showdown

Dougan hat-trick is spot on for Kilmore in final showdown

15 January 2014

IT was a case of trebles all round for goal machine Callum Dougan when his hat-trick of penalties helped Marty McDonnell’s Kilmore side lift the DYFL U-17 League Cup at Cedar Playing Fields in Crossgar on Saturday morning.

Callum, a son of former Killyleagh YC and Ballynahinch Olympic striker Davy Dougan, made it 24 hours to remember after he also bagged a hat-trick for St. Colman’s High School, Ballynahinch, in a Schools’ Cup game against Bangor Academy on Friday.

A previously unbeaten Portaferry side started in a hurry, but Kilmore refused to budge at the back and they slowly settled down to produce some intense periods of attacking play. The breakthrough came in the seventh minute when Kilmore were awarded a penalty.

A Barry Ward free kick into the danger zone ball struck Ruari Watson on the hand and the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Dougan stepped up and buried the ball in the back of the net with aplomb, game on.

Portaferry tried to retaliate and they were causing Kilmore problems with some well worked set-pieces, especially corners, but the impressive Jack Montgomery, Aaron Swail, Conor Wynn, Oisin McConvey and ‘keeper Donal Carney stayed strong.

With 15 minutes gone Dougan was inches sway from making it 2-0 when he almost curled in a clinking free kick. He did double his side’s lead three minutes later when he bagged his second penalty of the day after the unlucky Adam Doran brought down the speedy Andy McCartan. 

Portaferry were now up against it, but they refused to give in and with 22 minutes gone Owen Savage sliced his way through the Kilmore defence, but a heavy first touch as he entered the box allowed Carney to make a brave save at his feet.

The Ports did reduce the leeway just before the break when Daithi Sands ghosted past two defenders out on the left flank, stormed into the box and beat Carney with an angled finish to make it 2-1.

Portaferry started the second half bidding to get back on level terms, but found Chris Magee, Conor Dagen, Barry Ward and Aiden Gibney doing an effective job protecting their back four.

Magee, who turned out later in the day for Kilmore Rec seconds alongside his dad Paul McCargo, was a colossus for the Robert Adams Park outfit. He was the team enforcer and nothing, but nothing got past him without the proper authorisation.

Magee was also at the heart of everything positive for Kilmore and 19 minutes into the second half he halted a Portaferry attack in the middle of the park. Rory Dagen picked the ball up and played a delightful pass into the path of McCartan.

The flying winger rounded Finbar Cooper and calmly planted Kilmore into a 3-1 lead. Portaferry came back again and Carney saved well from Oisin Dorrian before Cal Smyth ensured a nervy finish when he made it 3-2 after a accepting a super pass from Caolain Arthurs.

Kilmore need not have worried as Dougan completed a good day at the office when he made it 4-2 with his third faultless penalty after McCartan was fouled by Doran in the box.

Kilmore Rec: Donal Carney, Aaron Swail, Conor Wynn, Oisin McConvey, Jack Montgomery, Chris Magee, Barry Ward, Conor Dagen, Callum Dougan, Andy McCartan, Aiden Gibney. Subs: Ryan Linden, Chris Martin, John Neill, James McGivern, Ciaran Murdock.

Portaferry: Finbar Cooper, Oisin Dorrian, Brendan Mullan, Ruari Watson, Adam Doran, Owen Savage, Caolin Arthurs, Brendan Hughes, Jordan Doran, Daithi Sands, Cal Smyth. Subs: Jarlath Trainor, Donal Fay. 

• Man of the match: Callum Dougan (Kilmore Rec).