KILMACRENNAN Celtic leapfrogged Premier Division leaders Cappry Rovers as the Lurgy men produced an excellent performance to win at Cappry Park.
Cappry Rovers 0 Kilmacrennan Celtic 2
By Charlie Collins at Cappry Park
Two second-half goals by Chris Dillon and Seamus Friel did the trick for the Kilmac men who always looked the more likely side right from the start of this game.
Following their defeat by Castlefin Celtic last time out this was another blow to Cappry’s title hopes but they remain very much in the mix – provided of course they can return to winning ways. The visitors faced the elements in the opening half but had the early chances, both falling to Friel. Dillon did brilliantly on the left side in the second minute before slipping Friel through but he shot wide from the edge of the box and it was a similar story six minutes later when Kevin ODonnell’s neat pass put him through.
Even with the strong breeze at their backs Cappry were having little joy going forward against a solid Kilmacrennan defence.
In the 35th minute the visitors had another chance, James Doherty’s cross eluded the home defence to find Michael McLaughlin but after some nice footwork the winger couldn’t get enough power in his shot.
Cappry’s Jimmy Murray did well on the right wing a minute later but his dangerous cross was well cut out by Ryan Shields and a minute later Paddy O’Conner headed over from another Murray cross.
Kilmacrennan finished the half on the front foot with another Michael McLaughlin shot well saved by keeper Joe Boyle and they were the happier team as the game remained scoreless at the break.
The visitors had the best chance of the game to that point three minutes into the second-half when Christopher Dillon won possession, slid a pass through for Mark Friel but the midfielder dragged his shot across the goals ramen with only keeper Boyle to beat, a great chance not taken.
They had another two minutes later. Friel raced into the box and pulled an excellent low cross the six yard line but just eluding both Christopher Dillon and Michael McLaughlin.
However, finally in the the 59th minute Kilmac’ got the goal they deserved. The usually dependent Aaron Kelly didn’t deal with a through ball and Dillon raced past him into the box. His shot beat the advancing Joe Boyle and despite the best efforts of both Darren McGowan and Benny McLaughlin the ball rolled slowly over the goal-line – 0-1 to the visitors.
Cappry responded with a couple of changes and were also level in the 69th minute when Frank McGlynn laid off a pass to Darren McGowan and the full-back’s cracker from 25 yards beat keeper Graham but struck the post half way up, a let-off for Kilmac.
Cappry went close again in the 75th minute. Alan Gethins corner found Aaron Kelly but he headed just over from six yards.
In the final twenty minutes it was the home side finally began to push forward in numbers but Kilmacrennan Celtic, minus the McDaid brothers Daire and Caolan and Christy Conaghan, defended well in numbers while remaining dangerous on the break.
In the 86th minute they sowed up the points , Kevin O’Donnell and Chris Dillon combined on the right and the latter’s super low cross left Friel with a simple tap-in from four yards out, 0-2 and game over .
A second defeat in a row for Cappry Rovers and top spot on the Premier League table for an impressive Kilmacrennan Celtic.
Cappry Rovers: Joe Boyle, Darren McGowan, Benny McLaughlin, Darren O’Leary, Aaron Kelly , Frank McGlynn, Jamie Murray (Dean O’Donnell 55), Paddy O’Conner, Alan Gethins (Ronan Coyle 78), Calvin Bradley, Sean McBride (Ronan McHugh 65).
Kilmacrennan Celtic: Shane Graham, James Doherty, John Sandilands, Ryan Shields, Kieran Gorman, Enda McCormick, Kevin O’Donnell ( Gary Gorman 85), Mark Friel, Seamus Friel , Christopher Dillon, Micheal McLaughlin (Chris Flanagan 82).
Referee: Dessie McLaughlin.
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