Late Kelly brace earns Dunfanaghy a share of the spoils

Dunfanaghy Youths 2

Curragh Athletic 2 

DUNFANAGHY Youths produced a dramatic late comeback to earn a share of the spoils against Curragh Athletic at Callum Friel Park on Sunday afternoon. 

The visitors held a two goal advantage as the game entered the closing stages courtesy of strikes from Robert McShane and Shay McMenamin. 

However, a brace from Andrew Kelly in the last five minutes secured a hard-fought point for his side.  

The opening quarter of this Division 2 encounter was finely poised, with a large part of it being played in the middle third. 

The first meaningful opportunity fell to the hosts after 24 minutes. 

Lorcan McFadden stepped over a free-kick from range but saw his effort go just over the Curragh Athletic crossbar. 

Five minutes later, the visitors had their first shot of the game as Conor Galvin let fly from range although his attempt went wide off the mark. 

On the half hour mark, Galvin was involved again as he stood over a free-kick but his effort went just wide of the mark. 

On 35 minutes, the visitors took the lead. A lofted ball fell to Robert McShane in the box and the Curragh forward took it down and tucked it beyond Oisin Cannon. 

The home side responded well, with Lorcan McFadden delivering an inviting set-piece which found Shane Doherty but he was unable to make good contact with the ball. 

Eight minutes after the restart, the Dunfanaghy men came close to leveling proceedings. 

Andrew Kelly spotted the run of Lorcan McFadden but his first time effort went to the wrong side of the post. 

The Callum Friel Park residents continued to press in search of an equaliser. 

With 20 minutes to go, substitute Keelan McGee spotted Jason Woods off his line and tried his luck from range; however, his attempt failed to hit the target. 

On 74 minutes, the Curragh outfit were awarded a penalty, with referee Sean O’Donnell deeming that Gavin Browne was fouled by Hugh McFadden in the box. 

Shay McMenamin stepped up to the spot and fired the ball past Oisin Cannon to double his side’s advantage. 

With five minutes remaining, the home side were handed a lifeline as they halved the deficit. 

A delivery from the right wing found Brendan Devine in the box. The Dunfanaghy Youths defender knocked the ball down for Andrew Kelly to fire beyond Jason Woods. 

Four minutes later, the sides were level courtesy of a penalty. 

 Darren Murray arrived at a loose ball before Jason Woods and the Curragh ‘keeper took him down. 

Andrew Kelly stepped up to take the spot-kick and he made no mistake in finding the back of the net. 

Dunfanaghy Youths: Oisin Cannon; Brendan Devine, Kyle McMullan, Shane Doherty, Hugh McFadden; Niall Moore, Seamus McGinty, Brandon Prasti, Lorcan McFadden; Andrew Kelly, Anderson Rodrigues Da Silva. Subs: Adam Moore and Conor Walsh for Rodrigues Da Silva and McGinty (half-time), Darren Murray for McMullan (51 mins), Keelan McGee for Prasti (60 mins), Christopher Stewart for Lorvan McFadden (83 mins). 

Curragh Athletic: Jason Woods; Dillon Murphy, Dean Hannigan, Josh Bradley, Caolan Burns; Gavin Browne, Conor Galvin, Shay McMenamin, John Chambers; Aaron Toner, Robert McShane. Subs: Ben King for McShane (60 mins), Jefferson Maques de Moraes for Toner (69 mins). 

Referee: Sean O’Donnell. 

Game at a Glance

Man of the Match: Andrew Kelly (Dunfanaghy Youths). The Dunfanghy Youths striker linked play well throughout the match while also coming up with two big goals for his side in the closing stages. Josh Bradley and Conor Galvin impressed for the Curragh outfit.

The Whistler: Referee Sean O’Donnell handled proceedings well on Sunday and few could argue with his decisions to award either side a penalty in Act Two.

Turning Point: The visitors held a favourable two goal cushion as the contest entered its closing stages. However, a brace from striker Andrew Kelly in the final five minutes earned the Dunfanaghy outfit a share of the spoils. 

Talking Point: The Callum Friel Park residents will be delighted with the character that they displayed to keep battling and earn themselves a point late on. Curragh Athletic will be disappointed, having been in a favourable position in the tie. However, they may look at the positives in the form of their first league point. 

What’s Next: Curragh Athletic travel to Letterbarrow Celtic. Meanwhile, Dunfanaghy Youths are next in action in a fortnight against Drumoghill.