Sunday 11 Aug 2024

Irish Cup | First Round recap

With 39 First Round ties taking place up and down the country there was no shortage of the thrills, spills, drama and excitement associated with cup football as the Clearer Water Irish Cup got underway once again.

It was certainly a day to remember for Coleraine-based Heights, making their debut in the competition following a step up into the intermediate ranks this season, as they hit seven goals without reply past Rectory Rangers at Anderson Park.

Mark Edgar, who can count Coleraine amongst his former clubs, opened the scoring for Heights as early as the third minute with a well taken close range finish with Kori Doherty following up later in the first half in off the right post ahead of a Scott McDonald finish to put Adrian Whiteside's charges into a strong position at the break.

An own goal on the hour further extended Heights' lead, with Caleb Wan adding to their tally soon after before substitute Eoin Crawford hit another couple in the final ten minutes.

But Heights weren't top scorers on the day. That honour fell to Northern Amateur 1A side Willowbank and their ten goal haul at the expense of Ballynahinch United in Larne.

Christopher Heaney kicked it all off after six minutes, followed just four minutes later by a Thomas McCrory strike - one of five the 31-year-old was to ultimately knock home. Heaney himself went on to bag a hat-trick, with further goals coming through Declan Gill and Ryan McAreavey.

Ballymacash Rangers and Moyola Park also dusted down their shooting boots for the day, hitting nine each past St. Mary's YC and Lower Maze respectively.

Benny Igiehon and Michael Moore both scored a couple each for 'Cash with Scott Adams, Stuart Clarke, Liam Toman, Anthony Burns and Owen McKeown also all registering.

And Moyola marked their return to Mill Meadow after 18-months away with the goals again spread throughout the side. Kenneth Kane, Lee McLaughlin and Joshua Busteed all bagged a brace for Kenny Shiels' side - and were joined on the scoresheet by Luca Doherty, Ciaran McKeever and Patrick McLaughlin.

However, there were plenty of keenly fought contests scattered amongst the rest of the ties.

Portaferry Rovers and St. Luke's both held the lead for a short time on the Cloughey Road until Morgan Smyth struck the winner for the Rovers in extra-time while it went all the way between Portavogie Rangers and Newmills before the latter edged through following a penalty shoot-out.

Lurgan Town left it late to edge past Killymoon Rangers in Cookstown. Scoreless after 90 minutes, and with an extra half-an-hour looking inevitable, the visitors eventually found a way through courtesy of Ethan Gorman's slotted finish in added time before Karl Henderson made sure on the rebound after his initial effort had come back off the post.

Knockbreda also had a stoppage time winner to thank as they edged past Craigavon City at Breda Park. Ethan Irwin had handed them the early advantage, but Kyle Rock levelled for the visitors just past the half-hour mark.

City then moved in front courtesy of Diarmuid Lavery early in the second half before Louis Blackstock hit back for 'Breda which was how it stayed until the 95th minute when Elliot McKim popped up with the winner.

The NIFL Premier Intermediate League sides didn't have it all their own way, however, with two of them making their exit at the first hurdle.

Lisburn Distillery went down to a Ciaran Hyland goal away to St. James' Swifts while, at Milltown, Warrenpoint Town went out by the odd goal in three to Newry-based Windmill Stars.