Kerri Grant
Featured in the Kilmore side against DC.

KILMORE gave Donegal Celtic a run for their money in an entertaining third round Irish Cup tie at Suffolk on Saturday.

However, two goals in the last 10 minutes from the former Irish League side finally broke Kilmore' stubborn resistance.

The home side started brightly and Kieran Gordon saved well when Paul McVeigh created an opening for himself after good work from Daniel Lyons.

Kilmore were far from being overawed by Celtic and with 10 minutes gone a Karl Lewis raid down the right flank ended with the home side scrambling the ball for a corner.

The action was fast and furious with play swinging from end to end with some neat football being played, but few chances were being created.

However, with 33 minutes gone Lyons carved out an opening for the dangerous McVeigh and the potent goalscorer made no mistake to give his side the lead.

The second half was just as eagerly contested, but play was a bit scrappy in the first 15 minutes before Kilmore made a few switches with Ryan Adler replacing Chris McVarnock and Niall Murray coming on for Karl Lewis.

This pair made an immediate impact and with 70 minutes gone Gary Kennedy, Stevie Rogan and Adler combined to create a chance for Murray, but he shot narrowly wide.

With 78 minutes gone Kennedy was fouled on the edge of the box, but the referee waved Kilmore's impassioned pleas for a foul.

Donegal Celtic went straight down the park and promptly made it 2-0 when Stephen Jones turned and fired home with a superb strike.

Two minutes later Ciaran Gargan rifled in a brilliant free kick to give Celtic a flattering 3-0 lead.

Kilmore almost netted a consolation goal in the dying minutes, but Kennedy was out of luck with an audacious overhead kick.

Kilmore Rec: K. Gordon, L. Sloan, P. Gill, P. Greener, M. Miskelly, K. Lewis, G. Kennedy, J. Young, K. Grant, C. McVarnock, S. Rogan. Subs: J. Cheevers, N. Murray, R. Adler