Dillon heads Kilmacrennan Celtic to Area Shield victory in extra-time over Keadue

Kilmacrennan Celtic took the Gweedore Area Shield of the Brian McCormick Cup in dramatic circumstances with a last minute extra-time winner over Keadue Rovers in Joseph McGettigan Park.

Keadue took the lead inside 20 minutes as Chris Greene headed in from a corner and the hosts could have levelled before half-time but Paul Bradley’s penalty was saved by Shane Graham in what was the last action of the half. 

Two near identical goals from the hosts coming from Declan McGarvey and Bradley put them ahead, but a penalty from Chris Greene levelled the game and it stayed that way until the second half of extra-time.

And James Doherty put Kilmacrennan ahead with a great goal, only for Oran Fallon to equalise with two minutes to go.

But Christopher Dillon’s header in the final minute sealed the victory as Keadue ended with ten as Greene got a second yellow.

Kilmac threatened first but Bradley fired wide after a Caolan Curran corner, while Conor Temple did well on the counter but his shot was tame and Graham saved. 

Keadue’s first chance came from an Aidan Brennan free kick that went just over the top corner, but Kilmac went even closer as Dillon’s shot was going towards the corner but Graham’s fingertip save put it out for a corner. 

Keadue did take the lead on 18 minutes as Calum Boyle’s inswinging corner was met by the head of Greene in the middle of the six yard box and he aimed back across goal and in. 

That gave Patrick Bonner’s side momentum and they almost doubled their lead as Adam McCaffrey’s cross found Greene who beat Bryan Da Costa to the ball but it was just too high for him to direct it on target

Peter McGee then had a shot at the edge of the box but Da Costa held again, while Boyle’s cross found Greene again and his looping header went just over, although offside was called. 

Brennan and McCaffrey were causing problems and as the former found the latter, his effort from 20 yards was held by Da Costa.

Brennan was next to threaten when played in behind by Boyle on the right, but he dragged his shot wide of the far post when 1-on-1 with Da Costa. 

Michael Greene had a go after on the skidding surface from 30 yards and the bounce almost deceived Da Costa who gathered at the second attempt, although it almost trickled in. 

But Kilmacrennan had the chance to level on the stroke of half time, first as James Doherty’s corner was headed goalwards by Conor Black but it was blocked and cleared, only to Doherty who was taken down by Pauric Neely.

Bradley stepped up for Kilmac and his left footed effort low to the bottom right was well saved by Graham as the half-time whistle went.  

It didn’t take long for this game to turn after the restart, a first chance of the half on 53 minutes from a Declan McGarvey inswinging cross on the right looked to find Black and while he didn’t touch it, it was enough to deceive Graham and find the net. 

A near identical scenario three minutes later put Kilmacrennan ahead, an inswinging free from Bradley on the right looked to find Ryan Shields, who might have got the slightest of touches but the celebrations went to Bradley. 

But just two minutes later, Keadue had a penalty as McGee latched on to a short McGarvey back pass ahead of Da Costa, with the goalkeeper having to come off as a result. 

Chris O’Donnell came on but he dived the wrong way as Greene hit his penalty into the bottom left. 

The sub keeper was called into action soon after and made a good diving save from Boyle, while Boyle then fired over from distance. 

Chances became scarce as the pitch began to feel the effects of the weather, but Black headed over, while a diving header from Boyle at the other end went just wide.

Kilmac could have won it in the last minute of normal time as Bradley’s low cross was only parried by Graham and it fell to Caolan Curran six yards out but Brian Proctor made a goal-saving block to send it to extra-time.

And a tame first half, Boyle had a huge chance when in the box but he fired well wide with his effort as it went to the final ten minute period.

And Kilmacrennan wasted no time, James Doherty playing a neat 1-2 with Dillon before taking the ball back in the box and his left footed strike found the far corner.

It looked better for them when Chris Greene received a second yellow for sliding in on goalkeeper O’Donnell, but they levelled when substitute Oran Fallon fired one low from outside the box into the bottom corner on 108 minutes.

They should have won it then as Fallon played in Brennan, but Graham made a great save to parry it, only to Fallon who somehow fired wide.

And after that, Kilmac’ went on the attack with Bradley’s cross from the left, finding Dillon unmarked and his header found the roof of the net on 110.

Three minutes were added but Keadue couldn’t find an equaliser as Kilmacrennan took the Gweedore Shield.

Kilmacrennan Celtic: Bryan Da Costa (Chris O’Donnell 62); Declan McGarvey, Kieran Gorman, Ryan Shields, James Doherty, Paul Bradley; Conor Temple, John Sandilands, Caolan Curran; Conor Black (Owen Browne, 90 et), Christopher Dillon.

Keadue Rovers: Shane Graham; Pauric Neely, Brian Proctor, Martin Ferry, Brendan McCafferty; Michael Greene, Peter McGee, Calum Boyle, Adam McCaffrey (Oran Fallon 96), Aidan Brennan; Chris Greene.

Referee: Michael Connolly.