Premier Division leaders Kildrum Tigers maintained their unbeaten league record at Flagpole Park in Rathmullan, but only after Kilmacrennan Celtic had given a serious test in this keenly contested encounter.
Kilmacrennan Celtic 0 Kildrum Tigers 1
By Charlie Collins
The league leaders had recent signing Kevin McHugh on the bench but the Finn Harps legend had hardly had time to get seated when the tracksuit had to come off as full-back Brian Coll pulled a hamstring in the first minute.
McHugh was introduced with Johnny Carlin dropping to the full-back role, in which he excelled.
McHugh’s first touch almost produced an opening goal as his excellent corner to the far post found the unmarked William Lynch who’s header was saved by keeper Jason Hegarty.
The visitors took the lead in the 9th minute when Gareth Colhoun and Carlin exchanged passes on the left on the latter’s super touch found Damian Crossan who’s well struck shot took a deflection and went over the advancing Hegarty into the net.
Ten minutes later the keeper had a big let-off when he tried to pass the ball out of his box but was robbed by the alert Ethan Coll. Hegarty retrieved the situation at the expense of a corner.
It took Kilmac until the 26th minute to create a chance and Kevin O’Donnell should have done better when Caolan Mc Daid put him through but he shot over.
Kilmacrennan Celtic
In the last ten minutes Kildrum should have increased their lead as they created several good chances.
William Lynch set up Crossan but his shot was weak, Micheal Lynch headed wide from another McHugh corner and William Lynch delayed too long when a earlier shot could have delivered a goal.
Fifteen minutes into second-half it should have been 0-2 when McHugh’s super through ball put Ethan Coll into the clear but he shot wide with only the keeper to beat.
After that let-off the Kilmacrennan men finally came to life and indeed pretty much dominated the final half-hour of the game without however creating many clear-cut opening against a defence in which Micheal Lynch was outstanding and supported well by others.
The home side finally got the chance to get the goal their play and pressure deserved in the 80th minute when Caolan McDaid went down in the box and referee Joe Mc Hugh adjudged that Carlin’s tackle was illegal and pointed to the spot.
Michael Mc Laughlin struck the penalty well but keeper Andrew Wilson made a great save diving to his right and then did brilliantly to block Aidan Sweeney’s follow up effort.
To their credit the Kilmacrennan lads kept trying to the end but Kildrum held on to make the half-way stage of their League programme with seven wins, two draws and a five point lead at the top.
Kilmacrennan Celtic: Jason Hegarty, Daniel McLaughlin, John Sandilands, Ryan Shields, Mark Friel, Aidan Sweeney, Michael Mc Laughlin, Ciaran Maloney, Caolan McDaid, Kevin O’Donnell, Paddy Sheridan. Subs: Chris Dillon for Maloney (50), Timmy Burke for O’Donnell (60).
Kildrum Tigers:Â Andrew Wilson, Jamie Mc Kinney, Brian Coll, Johnny McGinty, Michael Lynch, Brett McGinty, Johnny Carlin, Damian Crossan, Damian Crossan, Gareth Colhoun, Ethan Coll. Subs: Kevin McHugh for Coll (2), Oran Higgins for Coll (53), Shane McIntrye for Colhoun (78).
Referee: Joe Mc Hugh.
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