HARRYVILLE HOMING IN ON A TROPHY

HARRYVILLE HOMERS swaggered effortlessly one step closer to a fourth Irish Junior Cup in five years at the weekend. The North Antrim men were never in any danger of not booking their place in the last eight of this season’s competition when they hosted United LT. The Mid-ulster men came with a game plan but the Homers proved just too strong with a double for Darren Campbell and goals for Colin Craig, Paul Mcneill and David Nicholl. Their Ballymena SML stablemates Ahoghill Thistle joined them in the hat with a 3-0 home win over All Saints OB. Mathew Boyd led the way with a brace while Ryan Sands added to that to see off the Saints. The Under-20s from the Welders won 2-0 at Ballysillan Swifts while Newry Celtic turned in a fine display to win away at fancied Dervock. Penalty shootouts were needed in three other ties – Newington Reserves coming through against St Matthew’s and Portavogie Rangers holding their nerve against Beann Mhadaghain. Greenisland also picked up a shootout victory against Ford. Holders Enniskillen Rangers look to continue their defence of the trophy this weekend when they visit Willowbank. Lower Shankill progressed to round six of the Co Antrim Junior Shield thanks to a comprehensive 5-2 win over Clough Rangers. That’s set them up for a quarter-final against Ballysillan Swifts while the other quarters see Harryville host H&W Welders U20s, Willowbank at home to Dervock and Plunketts at Ballybogey. Meanwhile, a hat-trick from Steven Arrell and a brace by Ryan O’neill helped Cookstown Youth batter Chimney Corner in the Ballymena PIL. Kiefer Scott added to that to make it a 6-0 home win. Desertmartin won 3-0 at Cookstown RBL to continue Gareth Pitt’s strong return to the helm – Robin Patton with two and Mark Shiels the other. In the O’gorman Cup, late drama couldn’t prevent Bangor beating Ballynure OB. In other ties Glebe knocked out Coagh United and St James Swifts progressed in extra-time at home to Dunloy. A late Brian Rainey goal also saw Brantwood dump Newtowne out of the same competition.