Monday 03 Feb 2025

fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup | Fifth Round recap

The fonaCAB Craig Stanfield Junior Cup is down to the last eight following Saturday's fifth round ties.

The 'tie of the round' saw Fermanagh & Western side Strathroy Parks travel to Fulton Park in Ballymoney to take on Balnamore from the Coleraine & District League.

The visitors held a strong advantage at the break after Matthew Ballard found the net twice either side of a Brendan Boyle finish, with Balnamore being dealt a further blow late in the first half following Tiarnan Butler's dismissal for picking up two yellow cards.

Harps made their extra man count in the second half with Aaron Behan and Simon O'Neill adding to their lead while Gareth Clyde knocked home a late consolation for the home side.

Magherafelt Sky Blues also hit five as they swept past Dunbreen Rovers after extra-time at Spires Park.

Matthew Bradley fired the Sky Blues in front after just six minutes with a far post finish after the ball had come over from the right side of the area but Connor Kerrigan levelled for the visitors just over ten minutes after that.

That was how it stayed until Mark Mehaffey edged Rovers in front just before the hour, a lead they held until nine minutes from the end of normal time when Bradley bagged his second of the afternoon to force the game into extra-time.

Padraig McAlynn restored home advantage on 93 minutes, followed swiftly by an Odhran Madden strike with Craig O'Kane adding a fifth for the Sky Blues with around ten minutes remaining.

Alongside Strathroy Harps the only other side to win on the road were Tummery Athletic, albeit it was a relatively short journey to take on fellow Fermanagh & Western side NFC Kesh.

Barry Goodwin edged Tummery in front midway through the first half, but Lee Walker levelled for Kesh just five minutes later.

But with no further scoring and extra-time looming large on the horizon up popped the experienced and long serving Declan Molloy to bag Tummery's winner deep into stoppage time.

There was another all F&W clash at St. Michael's College as league leaders Enniskillen Town United locked horns with second placed Killen Rangers, with Town United coming through courtesy of James Harrigan's 63rd minute strike from the edge of the six yard box.

Matthew Boyd hit a late winner for Raceview as they squeezed past Lisbellaw United in Broughshane.

A Scott Munnis strike had handed the Ballymena Saturday Morning League side the lead at the break but a couple of second half own goals and a Scott Montgomery finish meant the game was evenly poised until Boyd bagged the winner in the closing moments.

Raceview are the only remaining BMSL side still in the competition following defeats for All Saints OB and Connor. Saints went down 3-1 away to Ardmore while Connor lost by the odd goal in three at Bessbrook United.

St. Oliver Plunkett II complete the quarter-final line-up after their 3-0 defeat of Dervock thanks to goals from Meacheal Hamilton, Conall Burke and Caolan Guin.