O’Connor’s treble stirs revival by Bellurgan

Harps snatch a share of the spoils

BELLURGAN UNITED 3

KINGSCOURT HARPS 3

TADHG O’Connor’s hat-trick inspired a stirring Bellurgan United comeback at Flynn Park on Friday night, only for the hosts to have victory snatched from their grasp at the death.

The Peninsula outfit fell two goals in arrears in the opening 20 minutes They went behind after 11 minutes and then Kingscourt scored again to leave Bellurgan rocking somewhat.

The scoreline was a contradiction of the play and the lopsided goal opportunity count. Bellurgan started well, but were unable to convert any a handful of chances that they should have taken.

A great cross by Cormac Renaghan found Shane Finnegan, making a return to the home colours, at the back post but from a good position, he couldn’t find the net.

Then, another cross by the latter was headed narrowly wide and it continued in that vein for Bellurgan. Daniel Kerr was denied by a finger-tip save by the Kingscourt goalkeeper as he tried to lob the latter. Subsequently, he shot over from two yards with the goalkeeper on the ground.

Kingscourt punished the hosts for these misses when, in a repeat of what happened in the defeat of the champions the previous week, the visitors scored with their first attack.

In nearly a carbon copy move, the visitors struck again to make it 2-0. But O’Connor fairly quickly steadied the ship, reducing the deficit after 25 minutes with a brilliant solo effort. He collected the ball in midfield and waltzed through a cluster of players to curl a shot low into the corner of the net.

Kingscourt had a couple of chances to increase their lead but home manager Richie Watters decided changes were necessary at the break and introduced Daniel Finnegan and Owen Traynor at the start of the second period.

The switches had the desired effect, leading to O’Connor working his magic again when in similar fashion to his first goal, he sliced through the Kingscourt defence and again supplied a fine finish low again into the opposite corner of the net.

Bellurgan had control of the game and the turnabout was completed when O’Connor prodded home, as he reacted quickest when the ball fell close to the Kingscourt goal to round off his hat-trick.

With just under 20 minutes left, the home side seemed set to collect all three points. But Kingscourt struck with literally the last kick of the game to leave with a point, much to the disappointment of the hosts. BELLURGAN UNITED: Callum Mulholland, Aaron Farnon, Cormac Renaghan, Ray Finnegan, Gavin Gregory, John Smith, Shane Finnegan, Tadhg O’Connor, Owen Armstrong, Daniel Kerr, Caolan Sharkey-O’Neill. Subs: Owen Traynor, Ross Hynes, Daniel Finnegan, Kevin White.