The 2024/25 McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup got underway in earnest at the weekend with over 50 ties played up and down the country as clubs took their first steps on the long road to reaching the decider next spring.
Holders Immaculata hit the ground running in their defence of the trophy with a four-goal thumping of NIFL Premier Intermediate League leaders Dollingstown at the Grosvenor Recreation Centre.
Conor Hand opened the scoring for 'Mac ten minutes from the break, followed soon after by a Logan Brady strike. Brady found the net again around the hour mark, with Brian McCaul completing the scoring midway through the second half.
Crumlin Star, runners-up last season, also made an impressive start with a 7-0 defeat of Tullycarnet at Marrowbone Park.
Stephen Smyth broke the deadlock with a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock but the real damage was done after the break.
David Fearon doubled up on 46 minutes, followed swiftly by Aidan McNeill just ahead of Fearon's second of the afternoon - all before the hour!
Three further goals followed in the closing minutes. Joseph McNeill struck on 82, James Doyle added another five minutes from time before Fearon capped the afternoon with his hat-trick goal.
Indeed, the 28-year-old was one of a small number of players to go home with the match ball, alongside Matthew Tumilson (Comber Rec.), Ryan Matchett (Bourneview Mill) and Samuel Cochrane of Richhill AFC. Samuel Cochrane (Richhill AFC).
However, they were all trumped by 18-year-old Portadown Reserves striker Goncalo Batista Monteiro who hit four as the Ports second string swept to victory over Ambassadors!
There were two all-Premier Intermediate League ties, with Knockbreda defeating Dergview by the odd goal in five at Breda Park while goals from Adam Neale [2] and Jordan Morrison saw Ballymacash Rangers account for Tobermore United at the Bluebell Stadium.
And it wouldn't be knockout football if there wasn't some late drama on offer.
Barn United got past AFC Craigavon at Lakeview Park after coming from two goals down to hit injury time winners through Josh Holden and Joel Philips while, at Wilbourne Park, Islandmagee thought they had done enough to force extra-time at home to Rathfriland Rangers when Nathan McConville levelled in the first minute of added time only for Rangers to hit back through Jack Chambers in the 95th minute to run out 3-2 winners!
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