Relegation worry no longer threat as Kilmore shine

Relegation worry no longer threat as Kilmore shine

25 April 2012

KILMORE’S merchants of menace finally turned up to the party when they produced the goods to secure the club’s tenure in the top flight.

Downpatrick, relegated less than 48 hours earlier when beaten 2-1 at home by Newington YC, were in no mood to roll over for their visitors, and put up stoic resistance before fading.

Kilmore, who went into the game second from bottom, but who knew that three points would practically guarantee safety, started in a hurry and Peter Casey and Blaine Connolly (inset) both wasted glorious chances in the opening four minutes.

Casey was again out of luck in the fifth minute when he shot wide from a good position and then missed an absolute sitter less than 60 seconds later.

The visitors should have been 4-0 up at this stage of the game before Mark Feenan created Downpatrick’s first chance in the eighth minute when he carved his way through the Kilmore defence, but then shot straight at Nathan Curran.

Downpatrick, who have gone through the biggest decline in fortunes since the Fall of the Roman Empire, slowly started to work their way into the game and with 20 minutes gone Barry Fitzsimons created an opening for Eoin Boyle, but the young striker inexplicably missed from a few yards out.

Two minutes later a long throw from Fitzsimons was only half cleared out as far as Conor Curran, but he was only able to make contact with his knee and the ball flew over the bar.

The home side were to pay for these misses as Kilmore launched a long free into the Downpatrick box. Mark Holland nudged the all into the path of Connolly and he did the rest with a clinical finish to put Kilmore in front.

With 28 minutes gone Michael McGeown got on the end of a free from Feenan, but headed wide from an excellent position.

Downpatrick finally got back on level terms in the 40th minute when Boyle scored from the spot after Johnny Cheevers had fouled Feenan in the box.

Kilmore responded immediately and three minutes later Holland, who was a constant threat to Downpatrick, headed home a cross from Stevie Rogan.

The visitors went for the jugular as half-time approached and with the 45 minutes up, Chris McDowell produced a magnificent clearance to deny Casey as Kilmore tried to walk the ball into the net.

Kilmore made it 3-1 in the 58th minute when Holland did the spadework and Rogan finished the job, but Downpatrick refused to throw in the towel.

They continued to give Kilmore plenty to think about, but were dealt a cruel blow in the 75th minute when Peter Telford expertly curled in a stunning free kick to make it 4-1.

Andrew Telford, Peter’s younger brother, gave Downpatrick some respite when he linked up well with Boyle before beating Nathan Curran.

Downpatrick: J. J. McAuley, B. Fitzsimons, C. McDowell, M. Curran, M, McGeown, C. Curran, N. Young, K. Gracey, E. Boyle, M. Feenan, P. Kelly. Subs: A. Telford, C. McGaritty, G. Collins.

Kilmore Rec: N. Curran, P. Gill, M. Miskelly, J. Larkin, J. Cheevers, P. Telford, K. Lewis, S. Rogan, M. Holland, P. Casey, B. Connolly. Subs: D. Noonan, I. Smyth, M. McGaritty.

Downpatrick FC 2

Kilmore Rec 4

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