CHRIS SHERRARD MONAGHAN HITS DUNMURRY FOR 6

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DECCY MONAGHAN helped himself to all SIX goals to steer Donegal Celtic into the second round of the Intermediate Cup.

The Hoops were one of six PIL sides who flourished in the rain on Saturday.

But for three others it’s a case of ‘let’s try again this weekend’.

DC top scorer Monaghan was at his most clinical best to end the hopes of visitors Dunmurry YM.

Also rising to the occasion were in-form Annagh United who put five past Ballynure OB.

Queen’s also won with a bit to spare at home to Markethill Swifts, goals from Ryan Mccready (2), Ben Mulgrew and Jake Moore easing them to a 4-0 success. Armagh City were 3-1 winners over 1st Bangor while Portstewart beat Shorts 3-0.

But for Newington YC it was a much closer call.

They needed a penalty shoot-out to get the better of 18th Newtownabbey OB.

They couldn’t see off their determined neighbours over 120 minutes before getting the job done on spot-kicks. This weekend

DUNDELA are eager to shine when they step back into the full glare of the spotlight tonight.

And Duns boss Stephen Gourley has told his players to “relax and enjoy” their Co Antrim Shield quarterfinal at Carrick Rangers.

Despite their successful history, this is a competition the Wilgar outfit have never even reached the final of.

And they’re coming up against a side whose only victory in the Shield came in 1992-93.

But Carrick are going OK in the Premiership this season and are also in the last eight of the League Cup after dumping Glentoran out earlier this month.

Gourley knows his side will cede favouritism this evening.

But he believes he has enough biggame players in his dressing room to rise to the occasion in front of them.

“We’re looking forward to the game because it’s a quarter-final and a big competition,” he said.

“At the same time our focus is the league and we’ve a game on Saturday to think about.

“But we’re in a no-lose situation because all the pressure is on Carrick and I doubt they’ll be too keen to play us.

“It will make a change because most weeks we’re big favourites whereas tonight all the pressure is on them.

“We can go out there and play with freedom and try and enjoy being involved in a big, big game.

“My team talks have been getting easier and easier because of how well the boys have been training.

“It’s a case of just asking them to go out and play as they can and have been.

“Carrick can’t afford to park the bus because this is a great opportunity for them to get to the semi-final of the Co Antrim Shield.

“Hopefully we can perform to the level we have been and make a good game of it.

“We played Crusaders in the League Cup and took the lead that night before losing 2-1.

“I can’t see us freezing this evening because there’s no pressure whatsoever on us.

“We went out of the Steel and Sons which still hurts me but the very next match we thumped Ardstraw in the Irish Cup.

“I’ve said to them that we want to stay in as many cups as we can because the last thing you want is weeks without a game.

“We have some smashing lads coming through the club and boys who’ve played at a good level and this is a chance to be involved in a big game for them all.” The Duns have enjoyed the other PIL sides will try again to join that clutch of teams in round two.

Banbridge Town are away to Ballywalter Rec, Moyola Park travel to Bangor Amateurs and Tobermore United host Lower Maze.

ANNAGH UNITED have added another huge dollop of experience to the mix with the signing of former Portadown centre-half John Convery.The 37-year-old had been up until two weeks ago part of Niall Currie’s coaching set-up at Shamrock Park.But after the arrival of John Bailie, Convery departed – but he didn’t go far.The ex-celtic and Falkirk man signed on at the Annagh at the weekend and admitted even he was surprised by the move.“If you rewind two weeks it’s not something that would have been on my radar” he told the Portadown Times.“I’m excited. They’re a good side, a lot of youth and I’ll just add a bit of experience to that. I think that’s the aim.“Playing hasn’t been on the radar but I’ve had a couple of free Saturdays and I realised how much I missed football.“In terms of coaching I’ll go back and look at it again in the summer but in the meantime I’ll just focus on getting the boots on, get training and hopefully get a few games under the belt.”Convery adds to the collection of veterans at the club with the likes of Gavin Cusack, Shea Campbell and, of course, 45-year-old Alan Murphy all in situ.But you can dismiss any notion of the Annagh as a total Dad’s Army with 17-year-old Ben Eagle the captain and fellow teens Josh Woods, Ryan Smyth, Jamie and Daniel Rowland, Elliott Rea and Conor Larkin regular starters.Convery comes into contention for selection for the only Premier Intermediate League game on the cards this weekend.The Annagh will aim to make it three league wins on the trot when they go to Wilgar Park to face a Dundela side who can go third with a win.