Kilmore sing the blues in cup glee

6 November 2013

THIS Border Cup derby had it all — goals galore, two red cards, penalty decisions and full-blooded commitment from both sets of players.

Robert Adams was packed to the rafters for kick-off and a great cup atmosphere greeted the players. The game swung one way then the other before an own goal in the 80th minute gave Kilmore a 4-3 lead, a lead they didn’t relinquish over the last few minutes.

Kilmore started on the front foot and the first attack of note saw Niall McCarthy head the ball into the path of Owen Curran, but his shot flew wide.

Killyleagh then won a free kick down the right when Ryan Montgomery was fouled, but Stephen Kennedy’s effort sailed harmlessly over the top.

Intricate play between Aaron McGarry, Philip Traynor and McCarthy created an opening for Curran, but he shot wide from a great position. With 13 minutes gone a huge clearance from Alastair Coburn evaded everyone in the Kilmore defence and Montgomery, a former Kilmore player, took full advantage to power the ball past Mark Armstrong to give Killyleagh the lead.

Kilmore tried to respond and a McGarry shot hit the bar before being cleared by Johnny Murray. Killyleagh then took a 2-0 lead when Montgomery raced away on the counterattack before crossing for Adam McDowell to make it 2-0.

Curran went close again to scoring, but his shot went narrowly over, but Kilmore’s pressure was to pay dividends. Curran played the ball into the path of Traynor.

Kilmore’s top scorer still had a lot to do, but he ghosted past two defenders before drilling the ball past Coburn to make it 2-1.

With 40 minutes gone Killyleagh failed to deal with a Stephen Douglas corner and Coburn produced an outstanding save to deny Curran.

McKinney went close with a header after he was left unmarked at the back post and with the 45 minutes up, Johnny Cheevers hit the crossbar with a header as Killyleagh held firm to the break.

McCarthy picked up a yellow card at the start of the second half for a foul on Montgomery and minutes later Jordan Kennedy did exceptionally well to repel both Curran and Traynor in quick succession with some first class defending.

Adam McDowell then had a great chance to extend Killyleagh’s lead, but he shot straight at Armstrong. Adam Neale, Killyleagh’s top scorer, then had an easier chance to score, but he fired wide with only Neale to beat.

Kilmore, relieved not to be further behind, pushed forward with Traynor causing mayhem every time he went near the ball and he played the ball into Cheevers to make it 2-2 from 12 yards out.

Kilmore brought on the experienced Peter Casey for Joe Murphy at this stage and he set up Curran with his first touch. The flying winger was brought down by Johnny Murray and referee Trevor Moutray had no choice but to award a penalty and send the young Killyleagh defender off.

Traynor stepped up and beat Coburn with a well-struck penalty to make it nine goals in his last three games and give Kilmore a 3-2 lead.

Fair play to Killyleagh, they never gave up. Joe McKinney lost possession in the middle of the park and Jordan Kennedy crossed for Daryll Heaney to power a brilliant header past Armstrong for a dramatic equaliser.

It was all or nothing for Kilmore now and in the dying stages a Douglas cross into the box was put into his own net by a Killyleagh defender as Kilmore regained the lead. The drama was still unfolding and with the 90 minutes up, McCarthy received the red card.

Kilmore Rec: M. Armstrong, J. Murphy, M. Miskelly, J. Cheevers,

S. Douglas, A. McGarry, M. Hardy, J. McKinney, N. McCarthy, P. Traynor, O. Curran. Subs: P. Casey, M. McGreevy, J. Casement.

Killyleagh YC: A. Coburn, J. Kennedy, J. Murray, G. Murray, N. Walsh, H. Ross, R. Montgomery, D. McConnell, A. Neale, A. McDowell, S. Kennedy. Subs: D. Davidson, A. Carberry, D. Heaney.

Kilmore Rec 4

Killyleagh YC 3

BORDER CUP QUARTER-FINAL

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