The McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup kicked off at the weekend with a multitude of games at grounds up and down the country.
Holders Crumlin Star kicked off their defence of the trophy with a comprehensive three-goal defeat of Banbridge Town at Marrowbone Park.
Darren Murray opened the scoring on 12 minutes, Niall Hawkins doubled up just before the break with Christopher Campbell wrapping things up just over ten minutes from the end.
Last season's runners-up St. James' Swifts also got off to a winning start with a crushing 6-0 win away to Killyleagh YC.
The tie was as good as settled after barely three minutes when John Savage and then Christopher Heaney found the net. Savage added a third before the break, with Heaney then bagging his brace on the hour. Not to be outdone Ciaran Hyland then popped up with a couple of his own in the latter stages of the game.
Immaculata missed out on a place in the decider at the final hurdle last time out but they seem determined to make amends for that after seeing off Rathcoole 4-2 at The Diamond.
James Haughey edged 'Mac in front on 13 minutes but Adam Doyle levelled for the home side just a few minutes after that.
Stephen Beatty restored the visitors advantage after half-an-hour with Haughey bagging his second of the afternoon moments later. Mark Sloan added a fourth on the stroke of half-time and although Doyle pulled another one back for Rathcoole with around a quarter-of-an-hour to go it proved to be little more than a consolation.
As well as Banbridge Town making their exit a number of other Premier Intermediate League sides bowed out of the competition at this early stage with Knockbreda losing to Colin Valley, Dollingstown exiting at the hands of St. Mary's YC and Linfield Swifts getting the better of Newry City after extra-time.
Lisburn Distillery were the biggest casualties, however, after they went down 7-1 away to Islandmagee.
The home side led at the break with efforts from James Holland, from the spot, and Sam Morrow cancelling out Benny Igiehon's goal for the Whites.
But the real damage was inflicted in the second half with another from Holland and then Andrew Paisley early on putting the Eagles almost out of sight.
Then, just to make sure, Ryan Nimick came off the bench on 71 minutes and duly helped himself to a hat-trick within a quarter-of-an-hour!
Nimick was one of eight players to bag a hat-trick, but they were surpassed by another five players who hit a remarkable four goals each, namely Jude Carlisle (Portavogie Rangers), Rory Cubbon (Bryansburn Rangers), Daniel Gordon (Larne Olympic), John Paul Lagan (Rosario YC) and Joshua Patterson (Bryansburn Rangers).
With two players listed it's perhaps no surprise that Bryansburn Rangers were the top scorers on the day with a thumping defeat of Inspired Talents, just pipping Strabane Athletic who also hit double figures on their way past Suffolk!
At the other end of the scale a number of games went all the way to a penalty shoot-out with Tandragee Rovers, Killymoon Rangers, AFC Craigavon, Ards Rangers, Crusaders Reserves and Seagoe all via that most nerve-wracking of methods.
Full fixtures and results
