Monday 16 Feb 2015

Shocks In Inspiresport Senior Cup

The biggest upset came in the third round when defending champions and the most successful school in the competition's history, St Columb's College, went down 1-0 to Grosvenor.  The east Belfast school followed this success with another 1-0 victory away to Craigavon.

Now Grosvenor face another stern challenge in the quarter-final.  Opponents Model have three international players in their squad and will fancy their chances of lifting the Malcolm Brodie Trophy.  Model advanced to the quarter-final with resounding victories over St Mary's of Limavady (4-1) and St Mary's Glen Road (3-1) and will start as firm favourites in their tie with Grosvenor at Mallusk on Wednesday week.

St Joseph's College Belfast has created quite a stir with their performances.  After trouncing St Patrick's Lisburn 9-1 and Priory College 4-1 they overcame renowned campaigners Ashfield 4-2.  A 2-1 success against Lisneal took St Joseph's into the last eight for the first time.  They will face Portadown College at Solitude on Thursday (26 February).  Portadown recorded impressive wins away to St Pius X (4-2) in Magherafelt and De La Salle (3-1).

Last season's runners-up St Louis of Ballymena will meet Our Lady and St Patrick's College at Moyola Park on Monday 9 March.  St Louis accounted for Colaiste Feirste 2-1 and Bangor Academy 4-2 but will have their work cut out against the Knock team which disposed of St Colman's of Ballynahinch 5-0 and Holy Cross Strabane 2-0.

Already through to the semi-final stage is St Joseph’s Derry but they had to do it the hard way, coming from two down against Downpatrick's St Patrick's Grammar in the quarter-final last week.  It took a brilliant strike in the last minute of extra time by Schools International David Parkhouse to secure a 3-2 win.