Gary Curran
Curran hits winning penalty in shoot-out

Premiership side Donegal Celtic were deservedly dumped out of the Co Antrim Shield by junior side Kilmore Rec in a thrilling game at Celtic Park.

The Amateur League side tormented the wee hoops and landed a place in the cash-windfall semi-final that includes Linfield, Crusaders and Glentoran. Donegal Celtic's late rally in this game looked like turning Kilmore's dream of a shock victory into a nightmare. After taking a two-goal lead in the opening seven minutes, they were pegged back by late goals from Ciaran Gargan and Aiden McVeigh that forced extra-time.

Substitute Ryan Henderson gave Celtic the lead for the first time in the game with a strike two minutes into extra-time. But Kilmore hit back, Peter Casey making the most of woeful defending to finish from close range.

The Co Down side had burst into a healthy lead with strikes from Phillip Traynor - a fine individual effort in the fifth minute and a penalty conversion from Niall Murray after ‘keeper Sean McGreevy had brought him down in the goalmouth.

It was a night McGreevy will want to forget in a hurry. The Antrim GAA veteran mis-judged a spinning Niall Murray shot in the 63rd minute that gave Kilmore a 3-1 lead. Paul McVeigh had pulled one back for Celtic before the break but it seemed McGreevy's mishap had buried any hope McVeigh's goal had given his side in the 38th minute.

But Celtic were given a late lifeline thanks to a deflection that took Ciaran Gargan's 89th minute free-kick beyond goalkeeper Nathan Curran. With pressure mounting and only seconds remaining, Celtic's Aiden McVeigh sent Conor Glenholmes' cross into the Kilmore net with a powerful header.

On the ascendancy, Henderson put Celtic in front but then the home side handed Kilmore a leveller. Failing to clear the ball, Casey was presented with an easy chance to score from close range - ultimately forcing penalties.

The drama continued before the shoot-out with referee Colin Burns forced to withdraw with an injury and his fourth official Graham McIlwrath was called in to oversee the exciting finale to this clash.

Casey dispatched Kilmore's first penalty with Aiden McVeigh responding for Celtic. Liam Sloan put Kilmore in front again before Conor Glenholmes levelled. Then Johnny Cheevers scored his penalty before Celtic skipper Stephen McAlorum saw his effort saved by ‘keeper Curran.

Liam Graham gave Kilmore a 4-2 lead; Barry Spence scored for Celtic and when it fell to Gary Curran to confirm a semi-final place, he made no mistake.

Donegal Celtic: McGreevy, Spence, Lambe, Hanna, O'Hara, McAlorum, Gargan, McNamee, Dickson, McAllister, P McVeigh
Subs: A McVeigh (Lambe 74mins), Cleary, Curran, Glenholmes (for Dickson 83), Henderson (for Henderson 74mins)

Kilmore Rec: N Curran, S Bell, P Gill, L Sloan, D McGreevy, G Kennedy, L Graham, S Rogan, N Murray, P Traynor, P Casey
Subs: G Curran (for Rogan 85), M Hardy (for Murray 79), J Cheevers (for Traynor 79mins), Lewis, Murray

Referee: Mr Colin Burns