Jack destroys feisty Shankill

Jack destroys feisty Shankill

12 February 2020

KILLYLEAGH won through to the last 16 of the Clarence Cup on Saturday for the third successive season under manager Paul Sharvin.

And once again it was the Jack Sharvin show, as he hit all four goals for the second week in a row to sink fancied Shankill on their own ground.

There was an explosive opening to this second meeting between the sides in five weeks, with Shankill reduced to 10 men after just eight minutes following a foul on Jack Sharvin.

However, within a minute the home side had claimed the lead through Luke Briers.

Killyleagh got back on level terms in the 17th minute. Michael McGarrity picked out BJ McMenamin and he left Jack Sharvin with a tap in to make it 1-1.

The wind was a big factor in the first half, notably just short of the half hour mark when Charlie Holland and Lee Morrison exchanged passes with McMenamin and Jack Sharvin involved before the wind took Morrison’s effort just over.

Shankill were always in it and despite playing with 10 men, they took the lead three minutes before the half-time whistle. A goal kick fell short to Jonny Murray and his attempted clearance to Morrison was intercepted by Shankill’s Kyle Dillon who hit a wonder goal from outside the box.

YC manager Sharvin made a tactical change early in the second half, playing with just three at the back and introducing an extra striker, Adam Neale, who has returned to the YC colours.

Killyleagh started to get on top and Barry Treacy did well on the right to pick out McMenamin who was unlucky to see his shot rocket over after 59 minutes.

The YC deservedly levelled after 68 minutes. If Shankill’s second goal was good then Jack Sharvin’s second was just as good, chipping the keeper from 40 yards out.

Within a minute Shankill were down to nine men after they had a second player sent off for a second yellow.

Jack Sharvin completed the turnaround in the 77th minute when he headed home brother Jon Joe’s cross after good work from Treacy.

To their credit, Shankill kept battling and it took an outstanding fingertip save from Aaron Carberry to preserve Killyleagh’s lead. 

Darren McConnell had to be at his best in central midfield with Jon Joe Sharvin, and Niall Walsh a towering figure in defence, to stem the Shankill fightback at times.

In the third minute of added time, however, Sharvin grabbed his fourth goal of the game — and his tenth in the last three weeks. He linked with Jon Joe on the right, before skinning the last defender and slotting into the bottom corner.

Killyleagh’s reward is a home tie later this month against Queen’s Grads, but before that they return to league action at The Showgrounds this weekend with a chance to avenge a recent defeat at the hands of unbeaten East Belfast who are trying to hang on to the coat-tails of Ballynahinch Olympic at the top of the table.