THIS one had it all: Two straight red cards, eight yellow cards, a missed penalty and four goals.
Rathmullan Celtic 3-1 Kildrum Tigers
Rathmullan (pictured above) look comfortable winners on the scoreline, but it was far from one-way traffic and it was a day when Kildrum left the seaside wondering just how they ended up empty handed.
The first goal came after four minutes. Full-back James Gallagher put over an excellent cross and Kevin Doran slotted home at the far post.
That was the cue for a period of Kildrum dominance.
Reece Laird teed up Frank McBrearty, but he lifted the ball over the bar in the 14th minute.
Six minutes later, Laird was put through by Conor Crossan, but blazed over from 16 yards.
William Lynch connected to a Gareth Colhoun free, but he shot wide before Rathmullan doubled their lead against the run of play in the 32nd minute, on what was only their second purposeful foray into Kildrum territory.
Full-back David Miller did well down the right, beat the tackle of Colhoun and his low cross found Eoin Sheridan on the six-yard line.
Although his first effort was well saved by Stephen Conroy, Sheridan followed up to bundle home the rebound.
Soon after, Doran’s through ball found Aaron McClafferty, but he was unable to control his shot.
Two minytes later, a mistake by Miller allowed Colhoun to cross and Oran Higgins somehow headed wide from six yards.
Higgins went close again when set up by McBrearty, but he shot wide when well place.
The second half followed a similar pattern with early chances for Kildrum, Colhoun being denied by Gallagher and the left winger then firing wide from the edge of the box.
On the hour, Rathmullan had a great opening when sub Ryan Connolly’s pass found Paddy Sheridan and his shot-cum-cross was just missed by Eamon Sheridan at the far post.
The home side were reduced to the men when Gallagher fouled Conor Crossan in the box and was given his marching orders.
From the resulting penalty, Mark Gallagher dived to his right to turn Jonny McGinty’s effort around the post.
Kildrum finally scored when McBrearty’s corner found the head of William Lynjch and he made no mistake.
The St Johnston men were reduced to ten players when goalkeeper Stephen Conroy foolishly kicked out at Eamon Sheridan.
The Tigers continued to press and the Crossan brothers, Damian and Conor, went close, but they were made pay in the final minute when Doran intercepted stand-in goalkeeper Glenn Bovaird’s pass to Brian Coll and he floated an excellent shot to the far corner from 25 yards.
Rathmullan Celtic: Mark Gallagher, David Miller, James Gallagher, Alan Boal, Shae Coyle, Aaron McClafferty, Kevin Doran (Niall Doherty), Eoin Sheridan, Eamon Sheridan (Shane Barclay), Ryan McCullagh (Ryan Connolly), Paddy Sheridan.
Kildrum Tigers: Stephen Conroy, Gary Crossan, Brian Coll, William Lynch, Jonny McGinty, Frank McBrearty, Conor Crossan, Damian Crossan, Reece Laird, Gareth Colhoun (Glenn Bovaird), Oran Higgins (Shane McIntyre).
Referee: Mick Lagan.
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