Killybegs edge out Ardara in thrilling decider

Killybegs 1-15
Ardara 3-08

By Frank Craig
PRO

Killybegs are the new U16 regional league champions after an injury time winner from Karl Gallagher finally settled matters.

In a pulsating and spectacular hour of football in Mountcharles, it was Ardara that appeared to be on the verge of victory when 59 minutes in, Dylan Connolly fired home a third Ardara goal to open up a two-point lead.

A worrying injury to Ardara No. 6 Charlie Kennedy meant that the tough defender departed the venue in an ambulance. Thankfully, a later scan revealed no break was sustained – just a very bad sprain.

That holdup resulted in six minutes of added time being played at the end of this one. There, Gallagher was able to reel Killybegs back to within one before substitute Finn McCabe squared matters.

No one would have begrudged this one going to extra time. Another half hour of this fare in sunny St. Naul’s would have been grand. But play was allowed to continue. And seven and a half minutes into the red, Killybegs were presented with a 14m free. Gallagher duly converted and with that time was finally signaled.

It was a cruel capitulation for Ardara to digest. Credit to Killybegs though, they refused to accept defeat. Hopefully, both sides can have a big say in the county quarter-finals to which they now advance. Back at the very beginning, a wasteful Ardara found themselves 0-5 to 0-1 adrift by the 25-minute mark.

Gallagher (0-2,1f), Seamus Byrne, Ross Conneely and Dillon Doogan did the damage for the young Fishermen while Ardara’s single reply was posted via Daryl Maguire. Maguire, after a brilliant turnover in defence by Shane Whyte, then teed up Peter Bennett to goal and suddenly the contest ignited.

Maguire was now wreaking havoc and a quickfire brace left Killybegs rattled and Ardara in the ascendancy on a score of 1-3 to 0-5. However, Killybegs showed their steal and class to claim1-1 during the half’s remainder to snatch back the lead.

Caolan Gamble pinged the point while Conor Cunningham banged in the goal. That green flag sent Antoine O’Hara and Manus Boyle’s cubs in at the break three to the good.

Half-time: Killybegs 1-6:1-3 Ardara.

Ardara bounced out of the blocks following the restart with Paul Walsh landing a free from distance and Maguire chipping in with another fine individual effort. A big moment arrived on 40 minutes when Kennedy’s effort to pull on one close to goal was upended by the retreating Conneely.

Walsh converted the resulting spot kick but Ardara had lost their defensive lynchpin. With 2-5 up against 1-6, Killybegs nailed the next six points to move three ahead, 10 minutes out from time. Cunningham (3), Conneely and a peach of a free from ‘keeper Corey Byrne propelled Killybegs out to 1-11.

Johnny McHugh and a pair of Bennett points were sandwiched either side of another Gallagher effort at the Ardara end and the Pearse Park lads chased a one-point deficit. Connolly looked like he’d snatched the spoils for his side with that goal. Killybegs though, had other ideas.

Their late rally proved the difference and it was the Fintra outfit that took the spoils and the silverware.

Killybegs: Corey Byrne (0-1,1f); Patrick Dowds, Timmy Gorrell; Dylan Murphy, Charlie Breslin, Eoin McGing, Kevin Boyle; Cillian Gildea, Seamus Byrne (0-1); Dillon Doogan (0-1), Ross Conneely (0-2), Conor Cunningham (1-3,1f); Caolan Gamble (0-1), Karl Gallagher (0-5,3f), Christopher Mulligan.

Subs: Finn McCabe (0-1) for D Doogan (52, black card).

Ardara: Matthew McGlynn; Shane Whyte, Iarla O Murchu, Conor Madden; CJ Laverty, Charlie Kennedy, Fionn Gallagher; Liam McShane, Matthew Sweeney; Daryl Maguire, Paul Walsh, Lavente Takacz; Johnny McHugh, Dillon Connolly, Peter Bennett.

Subs: Kyle McCole for C Kennedy (40, inj).

Referee: Owen Doherty (Naomh Columba).