Taggart duo get in among the goals

Taggart duo get in among the goals

31 January 2024

KILLOUGH comfortably advanced to the next round of this year’s Harry Clarke competition following a one-sided victory over Ballynahinch Olympic Town at Kilmore playing fields on Saturday.

The away outfit were touted as pre-match favourites before kick-off and it proved to be for good reason as they held a two-goal advantage by half-time and never looked in danger of loosening their grip on the tie.

The hosts initially proved a stubborn nut to crack but they were finding difficulty in advancing past Killough’s defensive line and their attack often fell short in the final third.

Contrastingly, the visiting Union team were edging closer with each passage of play and made the breakthrough in the 17th minute when Seán Óg Burns’ delicate through ball found team-mate Daniel Taggart, who opened up his body and shot past Town goalkeeper Gerard Marks.

Killough kept their foot on the accelerator and an eye-catching move almost resulted in their second goal, although striker Declan Looney blazed over the bar from close range.

The visitors controlled the midfield area thanks to the efforts of Cillian Burns, Tony McIlhone, Caolan Taggart and Ben McLaughlin, who all proved too hot to handle for the hosts.

This midfield advantage meant Killough could continue to press further afield and they were rewarded after one such attack with a corner kick that led to their second goal of the afternoon.

This time it was Caolan Taggart – who earlier that day had been training for the Down senior hurling panel – who jumped higher than the rest and directed his header into the back of the net.

This proved to be a crushing second goal to concede as just minutes later the half-time whistle sounded.

To their credit, Ballynahinch never hindered in their efforts and continued to make a go of it, refusing to lie down despite the odds not being in their favour.

But, courage wasn’t enough on the day as Killough begun the second half with the same intent as the first and Looney nearly added a third when his glancing shot kissed the inside of the post before being cleared off the line by Ballynahinch defender Karl Noade.

The Town then escaped once more when Taggart’s snapshot went the wrong side of the post, although Killough finally got their third just minutes later when Lee Murphy’s delivery was confidently controlled and then dispatched by danger man Looney.

Killough continued to push in search of a fourth, but the closest they came was from Cillian Burns, whose effort from range cannoned off the crossbar.

Following the full-time whistle, Killough’s Seán Óg Burns reflected on his team’s performance and plans for the rest of the season.

“We controlled the game for 90 minutes, we struggled to get goals initially but then we got through,” he said.

“It was routine, we played our football, didn’t worry about them and just focused on our own game.

“Losing the final last year was hard to take, so this and the league are the main targets for us,” he continued.

“We now know what went wrong last year and we feel we should have played better and won. But, this year now, especially, we will be giving it everything we have.”

Ballynahinch: G Marks, K Noade, C Barlow, N McGlew (capt), P Gladysz, C McMullan, R Morrison, G Wilson, D Lyons, J Madine, B Lowery.

Subs: O Sharvin, E Sloan, A Morrison, C Anderson.

Killough: K Groves, D Burns, L Murphy, S Óg Burns, E Gargan (capt), C Burns, T McIlhone, C Taggart, D Looney, B McLaughlin, D Taggart.

Subs: J McIlhone, A McGarrity.

Referee: M Hannity.

Ballynahinch Olympic Town 0

Killough 3

HARRY CLARKE CUP 2ND ROUND