Dungannon Impress In Win Over Killyclogher

Thursday 22.08.2024

Club

Dungannon and Killyclogher met at Ballinamullen on Wednesday evening with both sides looking to consolidate their places in the top four of the league. After an entertaining hour of football it was the men from the east who emerged victorious following a stylish performance and a statement win.

The home side enjoyed the perfect start to the game with a goal in their first attack when Mark Flanagan burst through straight from the throw in to finish to the net and put Killyclogher three in front. The Clarkes were level however within five minutes when Paddy Quinn got on the end of a fine team move for a well taken goal. A brace of Mark Bradley points had the home side two in front before Paidi Mc Nulty halved the deficit with a point from distance.

Dungannon suffered a blow when they lost big full forward Patrick Quinn to injury just before Killyclogher hit the net for the second time courtesy of the elusive Gavin Potter.

Playing wind assisted in the first half the home side enjoyed considerable success as the tactic of playing the ball long and early afforded them considerable possession and numerous scoring opportunities. With a bit more composure they could have been further ahead but added points from Conal Mc Cann and Mark Bradley to lead 2-4 to 1-1 after twenty minutes.

Dungannin continued to look threatening and a point from Paul Donaghy and 1-1 from Oisin Cowan had the Clarkes back in the contest as the first half entered the closing minutes.

Killyclogher added points through goalkeeper Simon O’Neill, Jordan Barton and Mark Bradley but ominously for the home side it was Dungannon, in the shape of Paul Donaghy, who finished the first half scoring when he fired over an excellent effort to leave the half time score 2-7 to 2-4 in favour of Killyclogher.

Dungannon began the second half with points from an Oisin Cowan mark and two fine strikes from Paul Donaghy to level the scores after six minutes. Killyclogher found themselves on the back foot as the visitors took control of the game but the home side managed to get their noses in front once more when Mark Bradley curled over his fifth point of the game.

Unfortunately for the home side that was as good as it got. Kevin Barker burst through to score an excellent point and put Dungannon in front before the large crowd in attendance was treated to an exhibition of ball winning and point scoring by the mercurial Paul Donaghy. The big Clarkes man hit eight second half points, each one better than the one before as Dungannon produced some superb football.

With twelve minutes to go they led 2-12 to 2-8 and looked set for victory. Bradley and Donaghy swapped scores and with time running out Killyclogher gave themselves hope when Darragh Hayes plundered a goal for the home side to leave a single point between the teams. However it was Dungannon who finished the game stronger as man of the match Donaghy landed two outrageous efforts to leave the final score Killyclogher 3-9, Dungannon Clarkes 2-15.