Newry Olympic 4-5 Kilkeel

Newry 1’s final game before the Christmas break was against Kilkeel on Saturday and unfortunately resulted in a thrilling, but narrow 4-5 defeat.

Playing at Banbridge High School while the Newry home pitch refurbishment work continues, the Olympic firsts started well and took an early lead with just seven minutes gone, when Keith McWilliams was on hand to slot home after a mazy run from Peter McKnight.

They held onto this lead until the second quarter when Kilkeel caught the defence napping and reacted first to the rebound off McGivern in nets. Kilkeel then made it two-one with a short corner soon after, to take a slender lead at the break.

The visitors scored again very early in the second half from a dubious short corner to give themselves a two goal cushion. However Newry were still fighting to get back into the game and Corey Large popped up at the back post for his second goal of the season.

Kilkeel stepped up a gear in the final quarter forcing a number of short corners and they managed to convert two of them to have a commanding 5-2 lead with eight minutes remaining.

Newry still continued to battle and provider turned scorer, as Peter McKnight arrived just in front of the keeper to poke the ball home to make it 5-3. Newry forced a late short corner which Ivan Steen fired home from the top of the circle, but it was too little too late for the home side.

Newry Olympic

R. McGivern, C. Holmes, A. Baird, J. Gregg, J. Greer (Capt), C. Henning, C. McKnight, P. McKnight, I. Steen, K. McWilliams, K. Fletcher, C. Large, G. Moffett, N. Lutton