Goal king Clarke helps net Cup glory for Kilcoo

Monday 27th November 2017

Goal king Clarke helps net Cup glory for Kilcoo

Kilcoo not only won the Spirit of Paul McGirr U16 Cup decider by beating Crossmaglen Rangers by 3-8 to 0-9 at Gardrum Park, Dromore yesterday but they proved beyond all doubt that they are true goal specialists.

The Down side racked up an impressive goals-for tally in reaching the decider including hitting the Castleblayney Faughs net on eight occasions in an earlier game and yesterday they showed just how devastating goals can prove when the pressure is on.

Crossmaglen had entered the contest bolstered by some fine recent performances yet by half-time Kilcoo's name had been all but inscribed on the trophy.

And once again it was ace marksman Justin Clarke who played a major role in piloting the team to glory.

His two superb goals before the break were complemented by a particularly stunning effort from Sealan Johnston and at 3-3 to 0-5 at the end of the opening moiety, Kilcoo were on their way into the record books.

The fact that they restricted Crossmaglen to four points after the break also bore testimony to the team's defensive efficiency. Meanwhile, one high-profile Ulster club manager has stood down while a former boss may be making a return in another club change at the top.

Martin Greene, who has steered Derrygonnelly Harps to the last three Fermanagh senior football titles, has called time on his role while ex-Crossmaglen Rangers All-Ireland winning manager Donal Murtagh, a former full-back with the club, could be in line for a return to his managerial post which he filled with distinction.

Belfast Telegraph

PHOTO BY Rory Cox Photography