Andy Capaldi Cup
June ‘11
In late season, Killylough secured the Andy Capaldi Cup by defeating FC Suvyturys on penalties following an exciting final at Belgium Park.
It was the men from Eastern Europe who took the lead in the final following some neat build up play.
As the game grew on, Killylough grew stronger and skipper Ronan Stirrat made the pressure tell with the equalizer late on.
It was Hoops who emerged from the shootout victorious and match their piers of 2005 by bringing the Andy Capaldi Cup back home to Tydavnet.
Monaghan Cup Semi-Final
Killylough FC 3-3 (AET) Clones Town (Killylough win 5-3 on pens)
26/7/10
A dull and damp Monday evening was brightened up in Tydavnet by an exciting battle between Killylough and Clones Town. With a place in the Monaghan Cup final at stake, neither side wanted to lose this one and a tense, hard fought six-goal thriller was to unfold.
The home side started well and played some neat football in the opening half but the lethal finishing of the Clones men would gain the upper hand early on. Gaining possession in midfield, Town broke through the middle and Gary McKenna made no mistake from about 10 yards out to put his side ahead. Clones again broke fiercely from midfield 15 mins later to double the lead when another loose ball was picked up and with striker and goalkeeper heading full tilt for each other, Sean Duffy produced a delicate little dink over the diving Mickey Rooney for Clones’ second in the first half hour of the match. Darragh Stirrat’s precise control and finish went in via the post to half the deficit going into the break but still left Killylough with much to do in the second 45.
The match resumed its fiery pace instantly with both sides creating chances but again it was the Meath league contenders who proved more ruthless. This time it was McKenna who, from the edge of the box, curled an arcing effort into the far top corner to restore his side’s 2 goal advantage. 3-1 down, the Hoops were rattled but unbowed and sought to turn the game around on the double. Substitute John Hammill led the charge with a neat finish when he was put through on 62 mins to reduce the arrears to the slenderest of margins. Then it was Ronan Stirrat’s turn to fill the captain’s role and level proceedings and he did so in spectacular fashion with an equalizing strike out of the top drawer and into the top corner of the net. 3 apiece and extra time beckoned for two sides already having given it all to this point.
The two sides continued to demonstrate their talents in the two 10 minute halves of extra time. John McCrohan could have had a penalty at one end but the final big chance came to a Clones shirt right at the death and as the ball ricocheted off a post and into Rooney’s arms, the match was destined for penalties to separate these teams once and for all. At 4-3 in the shootout, Rooney saved Town’s fourth spot kick leaving Hammill to step up and send Killylough to the final of the Monaghan Cup. Many thanks to all the supporters who turned out for both clubs to witness a thoroughly entertaining spectacle and we hope to see the Hoops’ support out in full voice again for the final on Saturday evening.
Monaghan Cup Match Report
Killylough 3-2 Inniskeen Spartans
20/7/10
Donagh was the venue for Killylough and Inniskeen Spartans’ keenly contested Monaghan Cup quarter final. The Hoops took the lead in the first ten minutes when Emmet McCrudden finished off some neat build up play by passing the ball into the bottom corner. Spartans didn’t lie down though and were back on level terms shortly after when John Smith found space outside the box and hit a curling dipping effort which flew into the far corner of the net. The South Monaghan men went on to take the lead when Smith lined up a free kick on the edge of the box and found the other top corner to complete the turnaround. 2-1 Spartans at the break.
A resurgent Killylough side returned after the break eager to turn the game around once more. Skipper Ronan Stirrat lead the charge, collecting the ball just inside his own half wide on the left and ended a fine run by curling the ball around an in-form Alan Steele to level matters. Having a fine game also were Inniskeen centre-halves Paul Dooley and Declan Ruddy but they were under more intense and constant pressure now as the Tydavnet side pushed hard for the winner. Indeed the moment was to come and it was set up by Darren Quigley whose well timed run saw him round the keeper and square the ball for Noel McCabe to pot the winner. Chances came and went at both ends but 3-2 was the finishing scoreline in favour of Killylough, who go on to meet Cones Town in the semi on Monday.