Conn Rangers hold off Kiltimagh/Knock comeback
Conn Rangers captain Owen McNamara. Picture: SJ Photography
Conn Rangers held off a late rally by Kiltimagh/Knock United to keep up their hopes of potentially securing runners-up spot in the Super League at a wet and windy Mount Falcon yesterday (Sunday) morning.
The first chance of the game fell KK way’s on 15 minutes. A poor clearance from a Conn Rangers defender landed into the path of Robert Jordan, whose low drive across Brian McMahon hit the post. Several minutes later, a Ronan Holmes free kick was half cleared and Adam Gallagher’s shot went inches wide.
Conn went in front on 33 minutes when Owen Prendergast got in behind the KK backline. At full stretch, the forward cut the ball back out to the penalty spot, coming off a KK defender and across their own goal, with Ronan Holmes finishing it into the net.
The host doubled their advantage three minutes later. Adam Gallagher was fouled on the edge of the box. His resulting free kick was blocked and went over towards the corner flag. Eoin Prendergast got to the ball and crossed it into the back post where Darragh Holmes was waiting to tap home.
KK were struggling to hold off a rampant Conn, who were in complete control but they were not able to extend their lead any further before half-time to kill off the game.
The visitors began to enjoy more possession and had the wind behind them but chances were few and far between in the second half. But the game sprung back into life as it ticked towards injury time. Ronan Holmes crossed in a ball from the left and a burst by JP Collins to see the KK defenders to miss it and Darragh Holmes shot into an empty net to make it 3-0.
That goal sparked KK into life. A ball knocked forward was flicked on by Brian Gallagher into the path of Cormac Caulfield and hit it low past Brian McMahon and into the corner in a well-taken finish by the Mayo Oscar Traynor midfielder.
A minute later, KK were within one when Shane Byrne’s long throw was only half cleared and Adam Conlon shot from the edge of the area for his first Super League goal.
KK piled forward in search of the equaliser and won a pair of corners late on. The first was blocked away for another corner before the second was cleared away by Owen McNamara and Conn kept hold of the three points.
Should Ballina Town fail to beat Ballyheane on Thursday and KK on Saturday, as well as Ballinrobe Town beating Westport United this Saturday evening in the final round of fixtures, Conn Rangers could secure second place if they defeat Ballyheane in Pat Quigley Park this Sunday.
