Defending Champions Drumoghill FC kept their hopes of retaining the title alive for another week at least with this hard earned 2-0 victory over neighbours Kildrum Tigers in a game that was switched to The Moss at very late notice.
Drumoghill FC 2 Kildrum Tigers 0
By Charlie Collins at The Moss
However down at Flagpole Park in Rathmullan the league leaders Glenea United also won 2-0 against Kilmacrennan Celtic with second-half goals by Ciaran Mc Fadden and Lee O Brien. Victory at home over Rathmullan Celtic next week will give Glenea the Premier League title.
Drumoghill host Lagan Harps in a must win derby clash for both teams in the event that Glenea do slip-up.
The game at The Moss was keenly contested throughout and in the balance right to the end when Drumoghill scored their second goal in the 92nd minute.
Unfortunately the end of the game was somewhat spoiled by an incident that resulted in a red card for Kildrum’s Michael Lynch but involved a number of players from both sides which was out of character with another well contested match.
Tonly goal of an even first-half came in the 41th minute, Kildrum conceded a needless free-kick 30 yards out on the left side which was hammered goalwards by Terence Shields and deceived everyone as it crashed into the net.
The second-half continued in a similar fashion to the first, evenly contested but devoid of any clear-cut opportunities. However just after the red-card incident Drumoghill broke down the right side and Richie Moore’s perfect low cross was slotted home by Pajo Rafferty to secure the points.
So the title could be decided next week, but if both Rathmullan Celtic and Lagan Harps record away wins in Glenea and Drumoghill respectively then Lagan could clinch it away to St.Catherines the following week.
Kildrum Tigers: Aidan Simmons, Gary Crossan, Jamie McKinney ( Brian Coll 57 ), Johnny McGinty, Michael Lynch, Brett McGinty, Oran Higgins, Damian Crossan, William Lynch, Kevin McHugh, Ethan Coll ( Shane McIntyre 83 ).
Drumoghill: Michael Toner, Gerard McGranaghan, Terence Shields ( Chris O’Donnell 75 ), Ray Quinn, Tristan Ferris, Philip White, Jay Dee Alawiye ( Chris Toner 84 ), Chris Malseed, Pajo Rafferty, Richie Moore, Liam O’Donnell.