ACTION-PACKED PAGES OF UNRIVALLED WEEKLY COVERAGE MAGNIFICENT 7

Amazing week of football sees Queen’s lift first senior trophy, while Newry boss claims their rise back to the big time was pure Roy of the Rovers

IF a week is a long time in politics, in football it can change so much.

This time last week, Queen’s University had gone 108 years without winning the Intermediate Cup.

But all that changed on Tuesday evening when they rolled Dundela aside to kick-start the celebrations at the National Stadium.

The students immediately turned their attentions to the promotion play-off against Dergview and while they trail 1-0 from the first leg, this evening’s second encounter is tough to call. Newry City were also popping the champagne corks, of course, having returned to the Premiership with their fourth promotion in five seasons since reforming.

Manager Darren Mullen described it as “Roy of the Rovers stuff ” as he now prepares to take on Crusaders, Linfield and Cliftonville three seasons after they were going to Lower Maze, Seapatrick and Broomhill in Mid-ulster Intermediate A.

It’s that division which Dollingstown bagged for themselves for the second successive season on Saturday.

But Dollybirds boss Stephen Uprichard is hoping that’s not where the celebrations end as he looks forward to the Marshall Cup Final on Friday night and then a two-legged play-off against either Bangor or Glebe Rangers.

And the Amateur League secured the Rose Bowl with a 1-0 win over their Scottish counterparts in Rathfriland on Saturday.

Paul Trainor’s side reclaimed the trophy that they lost in last year’s game at Lesser Hampden with a goal from Aidan

Mcneill.

One week, so much decided – and still so much up for grabs.

TEAMS ENJOY SILVER LINING Dollingstown captain Aaron Moffett holds aloft the Intermediate A trophy after their 7-0 thrashing of Fivemiletown, while Queen’s players celebrate their 4-1 win over Dundela in last week’s final of the Match Intermediate Cup...