Kilmacrennan Celtic pip Keadue Rovers in Area Shield final

Kilmacrennan Celtic retained the Gweedore Area Shield of the Brian McCormick Sports Cup via a hard-earned win over Keadue Rovers on Sunday afternoon.

Kilmacrennan Celtic 2

Keadue Rovers 1

First-half goals by Gary Whoriskey and James Doherty set the Lurgy men on their way.

Keadue pulled one back through Aidan McHugh 15 minutes from the end, but the Gulls couldn’t muster an equaliser.

The game was just six minutes old when Kilmac’ carved out the opener. Doherty provided the ball in from the right-hand side. Whoriskey stole in ahead of Keadue goalkeeper, Caolan Bonner, to finish.

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Keadue cried foul in the move that led to the goal, but Kilmac’ were allowed advance and Whoriskey’s finish, although not perhaps the tidiest, gave them something to hold.

Kevin Kelly might have added a second after picking the Keadue pockets, but his shot was saved by Bonner.

Kilmacrennan Celtic

Kilmac’ doubled the lead in the 26th minute. Roles reversed this time with Whoriskey’s farrowed delivery from the left finding Doherty. The full-back had work to do, but a fine first touch teed him up for an excellent second - the shot to put his team 2-0 in front.

In between times, McHugh was a lick of paint from levelling in the eighth minute. McHugh, fouled himself, stepped up with a free-kick 20 yards from goal, but a fine attempt cannoned off the post.

David Ward tried his luck with a free late in the half, but was narrowly wide and the same player riffled over the top early in the second half.

McHugh had a big chance to get Keadue on the board ten minutes into part two but an attempted lob over Shane Graham was wide of its intended target.

Keadue Rovers

Sub Michael Michael McLaughlin headed over from a Kelly cross 20 minutes from time. McLaughlin saw a free kick flicked over by Bonner’s fingertips - and Keadue were soon back in the hunt.

Oran Fallon’s spadework on the left, working a short corner, created the opening. He slid an inviting pass in for McHugh who managed to pick a spot in a claustrophobic penalty box to turn home.

John Francis Doogan’s side might have levelled, but McHugh, after doing well to creating an opening to shoot, was wide in the 83rd minute.

Kilmacrennan Celtic: Shane Graham, James Doherty, John Sandilands, Glenn McNulty, Caolan Kelly, Gary Whoriskey (Ridha Abdullan 66), Shane McDevitt (Michael McLaughlin h-t), Paul Bradley (Enda McCormack h-t), Liam McBride, Matthew McLaughlin, Kevin Kelly.

Keadue Rovers: Caolan Bonner, Daniel McHugh (Jordan Saville 83), Calum Boyle, Danny McGlynn, Hugh Moy, Christy Connaghan (PJ Doogan 90+2), David Ward, Mark Forker, Chris Greene (Oran Fallon 64), Barry Curran, Aidan McHugh.

Referee: Paddy Martin.