James Doherty earns champions Kilmacrennan a comeback draw at Bonagee

James Doherty has had a knack of popping up with big moments and the did it again on Sunday as defending champions Kilmacrennan Celtic came from 2-0 down to draw with Bonagee United.

Bonagee United 2
Kilmacrennan Celtic 2

Doherty’s strike secured a share of the spoils in an early season dust-up between last season’s top two.

A blistering Bonagee start yielded goals from Jordan Gallagher and Aidan McLaughlin inside the opening 14 minutes, but Matthew McLaughlin popped up to bring Kilmac’ back into it before Doherty stepped forth.

With 14 minutes remaining, Doherty was afforded a little too much of both time and space as he advanced with purpose. Doherty took aim and a brilliant strike with the right instep found the bottom corner.

John Carr, the Bonagee goalkeeper, denied Michael McLaughlin with a wonder save, somehow turning onto the bar with the tips of his fingers to ensure stalemate.

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Gallagher fired Bonagee in front when, with just 64 seconds on the stopwatch, the full-back bent a neat free-kick over the Kilmacrennan wall and beyond goalkeeper Shane Graham.

Greg Magee forced Graham into a good save soon after and there were still only four minutes elapsed when Bonagee went close again. However, Peter Carr fired wide from close-range from Aaron Wasson’s probing square ball.

They didn’t have long to wait, though. In the 14th minute, Evan McCroary’s ball over the top found Aidan McLaughlin. With Graham out of his penalty area and his artillery well advanced, the Bonagee attacker was clinical in his execution. The experienced striker’s shot from 25 yards rolled in to the despair of the recovering Graham.

Kilmac’ went close to pulling a goal back when, three minutes before half-time, substitute Kevin Kelly - on for Liam McBride, who had to depart on a stretcher - delicately lobbed over John Carr, but his effort went the wrong side of the far post.

These sides had plenty of history after a ding-dong end to the 2021/22 season when Kilmacrennan defeated Bonagee - who bagged the Brian McCormick Cup - 3-1 in a play-off to clinch the Premier Division crown

Kilmac’ have been regular challengers at the business end in recent seasons and they brought this one back to the melting pot just after the hour.

Matthew McLaughlin’s header back across goal kept a set piece alive and Dillon - who spent a portion of last season with Bonagee in the Ulster Senior League - headed home.

Bonagee United: John Carr, Jordan Gallagher, Coady Brogan, Evan McCroary, Taylor Russell, Dylan Sweeney (Glenn Rainey 79), Lee McMonagle, Greg Magee (Eamonn Cannon 66), Aaron Wasson, Aidan McLaughlin, Peter Carr (Calvin Aidoo 89).

Kilmacrennan Celtic: Shane Graham, Liam McBride (Kevin Kelly 39), John Sandilands (Cathal McDaid 85), Ryan Shields, Glenn McNulty, James Doherty, Shane McDevitt (Michael McLaughlin 62), Chris Flanagan, Chris Dillon, Matthew McLaughlin.

Referee: Mick Lagan.