MCDONNELL HAT-TRICK SEES MALS THROUGH IN CUP

Three goals from striker Seamus McDonnell warmed the travelling supporters and put Malachians on their way into the next round of the Clarence Cup on a bitter cold day at Islandmagee.

Kilroot Rec provided the opposition but it was the premiership side that got off to a flying start going 1-0 in front after only 3 minutes. Right back Adams surged forward from the half-way line past 2 defenders and his pass to Gary Reilly on the 18-yard line was deftly flicked onto McDonnell who swivelled before striking low into the keeper’s left-hand corner from 14 yards. Kilroot refused to buckle to the early set-back and played some neat passes particularly in the midfield area without ever troubling the Mals’ goal. They found themselves level on 21 minutes when a long free-kick from deep in their own half saw the ball catch the wind and Sweeper Collins’ attempted headed clearance on the penalty spot succeeded only in looping the ball over his keeper Stitt and under the bar.

 Two minutes later however the Mals’ lead was restored when left-back Sharpe swung a great ball in from the touchline to Moore and his neat passing with McDonnell ended with the latter striking into the same corner from the same distance for 2-1. There was a good balance to the Mals’ team with Murray, in for the suspended McHugh, and McAtee driving forward in the middle aided by wide-men Lowe and Reilly, while Hackett looked comfortable alongside the experienced Collins at the heart of defence.

Half-time: Kilroot Rec 1 Malachians 2

McDonnell almost got his third within 5 minutes of the re-start but the home keeper made a good save pushing his strike round the post. He didn’t have to wait much longer however after Collins played a good ball to Moore out wide left. His pass found McDonnell lurking in the box and the diminutive striker was blatantly pushed in the back. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and although McDonnell’s first effort was parried by the keeper, he followed up to stroke home from 8 yards for 3-1.

Kilroot were shortly afterwards reduced to 10 men when their keeper saw red for abusive language towards the referee but surprisingly the home team had their best spell in the game over the next 10 mins and found themselves back in the match. Collins’ raised arm caught an in-swinging corner and the spot-kick was blasted past Stitt for 3-2.

Malachians continued to push forward and Adams and Murray both had efforts well-saved before manager Saunders sent in Dalton for the injured Murray. Reilly restored the Mals’ 2-goal advantage on 71 minutes running into the box and sliding the ball past the advancing stand-in keeper. McDonagh then replaced Reilly and Faulkner replaced Moore. Young Faulkner celebrated his return to Islandmagee, where he had scored twice weeks earlier, by heading home a free-kick in the dying minutes.

Full-time: Kilroot Rec 2 Malachians 5