BetMcLean Cup

BETMCLEAN CUP PRELIMINARY ROUND RECAP

13 Aug 2024
football
© Paul Harvey

Ballymacash Rangers, Dergview, Moyola Park, Rathfriland Rangers, Queen's University and Warrenpoint Town all progressed in the BetMcLean Cup following a night of preliminary round action.

‘Cash were the clearest winners on the night, hitting three goals without reply past Banbridge Town at the Bluebell Stadium.

Anto Burns opened the scoring midway through the first half with a header from Dylan Sinnerton’s delivery, and doubled up on 67 minutes with a brilliant finish inside the box.

Sinnerton then got in on the act himself to wrap the scoring up moments later.

Two games went to extra-time with Queen’s University squandering a three-goal lead away to Tobermore United before eventually coming through by the odd goal in seven.

First half goals from Johnny Mairs, James O’Hara and Marc McKenna saw the Students hold a comfortable advantage after 42 minutes but Calvin McCallion’s spot-kick just before the break gave the home side some hope.

And so it proved with Rhys O’Mullan pulling another one back early in the second half, before Stuart Forrest struck late on to force the game into an extra half-an-hour … but it took a Lorcan McIlroy penalty ten minutes in to eventually settle it in favour of the visitors.

Warrenpoint Town and Lisburn Distillery were scoreless after normal time at Milltown but a Darren Doherty power drive into the top corner edged ‘Point in front on 94 minutes, with Michael Leddy doubling up not long after that.

Moyola Park defeated PIL newcomers Oxford Sunnyside 3-1 at Mill Meadow, with all the scoring coming either side of the break.

Oxford broke the deadlock through Callum Ferris on 39 minutes, but goals from Jake Francis and Caiolan Brennan saw Kenny Shiels’ side hit back to lead at the interval.

Luca Doherty then added a third on 49 minutes, a lead that Moyola successfully defended for the remainder of the game.

Rathfriland Rangers came from a goal down at home to get past Coagh United.

Alfie Dallas had fired the visitors in front as early as the tenth minute, but Matthew Holloway levelled for Rangers deep into first half stoppage time.

Eoin Rooney then bagged what proved to be the winner early in the second half.

Meanwhile, at Darragh Park, Dergview edged past Knockbreda in the battle of the sides relegated from the Championship last season.

Dale Maxwell’s strike early in the first half handed the home the lead at the break, with Ethan Nethery extending a few minutes after the interval.

‘Breda did pull one back through Adam Irwin with ten minutes remaining but it wasn’t enough to spark a late revival from the visitors.