Matt puts glossy finish on Killough supershow

Matt puts glossy finish on Killough supershow

4 May 2016

THERE is a distinct possibility that the Rathmourne Cup will be spending the summer holidays in Killough this year following this commanding victory.

The title-chasing Mill Field outfit are sitting pretty at the top of the table with four games to play.

They are a point clear of Newcastle Swifts, who have played three games more, and two clear of Ballyvea, who have played the same number of games.

The way things are shaping up, it looks as the race for the title will go down to the wire with the crunch game coming next Tuesday night at Carginagh Road when Killough travel to face Ballyvea. 

Before then, Killough have to better Newcastle Swifts, Ballynahinch Olympic and Mourne Rovers, all of them potential banana skins.

Annalong were expected to provide Killough with a stern challenge on Saturday, but they were short a few regulars — as were the home side — and had to start without a regular goalkeeper. Centre half Andy McKibben was in goal.

Things started badly for McKibben and got even worse as the day went on. 

With only two minutes gone, he spilled an innocuous shot from Tony McIlhone and Philip Gelston pounced to drill the ball home. 

Seven minutes later, man of the match Matt McKiernan was sent clear by Gelston and he beat the helpless McKibben with a powerful finish.

It was 3-0 a few minutes later when Gelston raced away from Peter Heelham to send Killough into dreamland.

With 20 minutes gone Conor Kelly, who has adapted well to playing on the flank, dovetailed perfectly to combine with Gelston, but he was denied by a brave stop from McKibben.

McKiernan could and should have made it 4-0 just before the break when Kelly carved out another opening, but McKibben saved well before he was helped off the pitch with what looked like a ligament tear.

Killough took their eye off the ball at the start of the second half and allowed Annalong to come storming back.

Steven Burden made it 2-1 from the penalty spot after Jason Clarke and Colm Stranney were adjudged to have fouled Richard Gordon. Burden then volleyed in a Jonathan Gilchrist cross from the right, giving Chris Mallon no chance.

It was now Annalong who were in the ascendancy, but Gordon missed an absolute sitter before McKiernan capitalised on another goalkeeping error to give Killough a 4-2 lead.

Annalong had now run out of steam and Killough picked them off at will in the closing stages. McIlhone expertly headed in a McKiernan cross to make it 5-2 before Kelly put the ball on a plate for Jason Dagens to make it six of the best.

Killough continued to pile on the agony and Conor Doyle sent a left-footed screamer into the bottom corner after a patient build-up in the middle of the park involving Leo Noble, McIlhone and Kelly.

Killough: C Mallon, S Tumelty, S Laverty, J Clarke, C Stranney, L Noble, J Dagens, M McKiernan, P Gelston, T McIlhone, C Kelly. Subs: M Burns, D Sharvin, C Doyle.

Annalong: A McKibben, G Graham, A Hennning, A Nugent, P Heelham, M McConnell, J Gilchrist, G Forsythe, S Burden, W Forsythe, R Gordon. Subs: M Nicholson, M Burden.