Sunday 15 Feb 2026

McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup | Fourth Round recap

There was drama, excitement, late winners and plenty of talking points as six clubs booked their places in the quarter-finals of the McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup.

In the designated 'tie of the round', Rathfriland Rangers produced a ruthless second-half display to defeat Desertmartin 4-1 away from home.

Stephen McCavitt opened the scoring after half an hour with a back-post header from a left-wing corner, before Adam Neale doubled the lead just before the hour, lifting the ball over a defender and finishing from close range.

Desertmartin briefly rallied when Pearce McLarnon volleyed home from Kaelum Irvine’s long throw, but Neale restored the two-goal cushion with a header from Ruari Fitzpatrick’s delivery.

Fitzpatrick then capped an impressive performance by cutting through the home defence to score a superb solo goal just a minute later and seal an emphatic win.

Comber Rec. left it late to edge out Ballymacash Rangers at Park Way, with Simon Hanna blasting home the only goal of the game from close range on 82 minutes after Elliot Wilson had cut the ball back across the area.

St. James’ Swifts claimed a dramatic 3-2 victory over Ballyclare Comrades in a fiery encounter at Donegal Celtic Park.

Conall Maguire gave the Swifts an early lead a few minutes before Noel Healy was sent off for the Comrades. Despite that setback, Ballyclare turned the game around through Karter Bond and Elliot McKim, while Daniel McHugh also saw red for the Swifts.

John Savage levelled for the Swifts in the second half, Brandon Doyle missed a stoppage-time penalty for Ballyclare, and Jude Winchester struck in the 93rd minute to snatch a remarkable win.

Moyola Park marked 146 years to the day since their first ever match – also against a Cliftonville side – with an impressive 4-1 win over Cliftonville Olympic at Mill Meadow.

Goals from Bobby Deane and David Parkhouse had them in control before Eamonn Tohill reduced the deficit. Joe McCready restored the two-goal advantage and Parkhouse added his second to complete a memorable afternoon for the hosts.

Crumlin Star saw off Lisburn Rangers 4-2 in an eventful contest at Marrowbone Park. Rangers' Karl Rossborough was sent off early for handball on the line, with David Fearon converting the resulting spot-kick.

Rangers responded almost immediately with a Carter Savage equaliser, but Joseph McNeill and James Doyle put Crumlin firmly in command.

Eamon McAllister’s stunning free-kick gave the visitors hope early in the second half, only for Fearon to wrap up the victory late on after good work from Donal McAlea.

Islandmagee secured a 2-0 win over Kilmore Rec., breaking the deadlock on 59 minutes through Nicholas Baird before Jordan Hassan sealed the result deep into stoppage time.

Elsewhere, two ties fell victim to the weather after failing pitch inspections, with Strabane Athletic v Holywood and Newtowne v East Belfast both postponed.