LATE GOALS by Gary Crossan and Kevin McHugh saw Kildrum Tigers edge away from Castlefin Celtic to reach the Lifford Area final in the Brian McCormick Cup.
Kildrum Tigers 3 Castlefin Celtic 1
By Charlie Collins at Station Road Park
Kildrum had the early chances, Gareth Colhoun shooting just wide in the fourth minute after Odhran McMacken and Kevin McHugh had combined well to create the opening for the winger.
Three minutes later Luke Toland burst through from midfield but his shot flew just wide. The visitors responded with long range shots from Shane Gallagher and Emmet White but both were just too high.
In the 20th minute McHugh’s pass sent McMacken through but Chris O’Donnell produced another excellent save to deny him. Six minutes later McMacken’s free-kick found McHugh but O Donnell was able to deny him off a shot that lacked power as the striker was off balance as he struck it.
The final chance of the half came in the 40th minute, again McHugh was involved as he set up William Lynch but again he was denied by O Donnell, this time making a fine double save to leave it scoreless at the break.
The home side should have been ahead in the first minute of the second-half. Matthew Crossan found Damian Crossan with an excellent pass but, after controlling the ball well, he dragged his shot wide. He should have done better. S
ix minutes later Castlefin had a great chance to take the lead. Chris Bryson made a strong run forward, he found Ronan Tourish who put Shane Gallagher through but Michael Lynch advanced to deny him and the rebound fell kindly for the keeper and the chance was gone.
Three minutes later Kildrum took the lead. Ryan Higgins found McHugh with a super long range pass and he pulled the ball for McMacken whose cross shot fell to Damian Crossan and scored at the second attempt.
However the lead was short-lived. Three minutes later, ‘keeper Lynch seemed to have Ronan Tourish’s shot covered and under control, but he fumbled it as he went to ground and Shane Gallagher pounced to slam it home, 1-1 after 58 minutes.
Two minutes later Kevin McHugh did well to set up Damian Crossan but once again the midfielder dragged his shot wide. Five minutes later Kildrum created another chance, William Lynch set up sub Gary Crossan but again the final shot flew wide from a great position.
In the 75th minute Rory Dalton made a super run down the right but his attempted pass across the box was brilliantly cleared by Ryan Higgins to deny two inrushing Castlefin players.
Four minutes from the end Kildrum regained the lead. Ryan Higgins again did well to win possession and his ball forward found Gary Crossan by way off a slight deflection. Castlefin appealed for offside, referee Dessie McLaughlin said play-on and Crossan hammered it past O’Donnell.
Early in injury-time O’Donnell denied McHugh with another super save but in the 96th minute McHugh wrapped it up when put through by Gary Crossan. Again, O’Donnell blocked his first effort but could do nothing as McHugh followed up to slot the rebound to the net to give Kildrum Tigers a deserved victory.
Kildrum Tigers: Michael Lynch, Ryan Higgins, Shaun Crossan, Jonny McGinty, Matthew Crossan, Luke Toland, Odhran McMacken , Damian Crossan, William Lynch, Kevin McHugh, Gareth Colhoun. Subs: Gary Crossan for Colhoun (55), Frank McBrearty for Shaun Crossan (78), Oran Higgins for McMacken (83),Conor Mathewson for William Lynch (90).
Castlefin Celtic: Chris O’Donnell, Chris Bryson, Marty Owens , Michael Dunnion, Peter Bryson, Brian Dooher, Rory Dalton, Emmet White, Ronan Tourish, Shane Gallagher, Corrie Lee Bogan. Sub: Lee McLaughlin for Tourish (85),
Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.
