Monday 26 Jan 2026

McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup | Third Round recap

The McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup is down to the last 16 following the Third Round played over the weekend.

Ballyclare Comrades kicked off the action on Friday night with a comprehensive victory over St. Mary’s (Newtownabbey) at Dixon Park.

Although technically the away side, it took the Comrades just seven minutes to break the deadlock when Michael Leetch drilled into the bottom corner. Deaglan Healy added a controlled finish midway through the first half before Leetch struck again just before the half-hour mark.

Leetch then turned provider to tee Brandon Doyle up moments later as Ballyclare went into the break firmly in control. Their dominance continued early in the second half when Healy set up Doyle to double his tally before Kyle Calderwood added another from the edge of the box on 55 minutes.

Doyle completed his hat-trick on the hour, with St. Mary’s grabbing a late consolation through Harry Griffin.

The designated “tie of the round” saw Lisburn Rangers welcome Dergview to Stanley Park, where the hosts ran out comfortable 5-0 winners.

William Faulkner fired Rangers in front inside two minutes, with Anthony Burns adding a first-half brace. Burns completed his hat-trick just before the hour, while Carter Savage wrapped up an impressive team performance with the goal of the game on 70 minutes.

Holders Crumlin Star continued their defence with a 3-0 win over Ballymoney United at the Riada Stadium.

After a scoreless opening period, Ballymoney were reduced to ten men on 39 minutes when Matthew Knight was sent off for a second booking. Crumlin capitalised almost immediately as Matthew Devine converted an Aidan Lillis delivery.

David Fearon teed up Domhnail Cosgrove to double the lead early in the second half, before Fearon completed the scoring from the penalty spot just after the hour.

Last season’s runners-up St. James’ Swifts also progressed, edging past Crewe United 2-1 at Crewe Park.

Conall Maguire gave Swifts an early lead with a low finish on six minutes, and that advantage held until William McCracken equalised for Crewe four minutes from time. However, Ciaran Hyland struck in the dying moments to seal a dramatic win.

One tie required extra-time as Newtowne overcame Seagoe, while Cliftonville Olympic and Kilmore Rec. both advanced on penalties against Sirocco Works and Crumlin United respectively.

Moyola Park were the weekend’s top scorers with an emphatic 11-goal haul against Dromore Amateurs at Mill Meadow.

Thomas McLaughlin led the way with four goals, with Lee McLaughlin and Joe McCready both scoring twice. Further goals came from Jake Wallace, Niall Fielding and Luca Doherty.

There were ten goals at the Bluebell Stadium in a keenly contested affair as Ballymacash Rangers defeated Dunmurry YM 6-4, while East Belfast also hit six, including a Kyle Woods hat-trick, in their home win over Dromara Village.