BALLYNURE OB: Burns's men reach O'Gorman Cup semi-final

“It was one-way traffic all the way,” said manager Gary Burns. “We were in complete control and should have been more than two up at the interval. I can’t be too critical having scored four and recorded a clean sheet.”

Daniel Ellis got the ball rolling with nine minutes on the clock when he got on the end of an Anthony Hill cross before nipping in between two defenders to round the keeper and stroke the ball in to the net.

The Higgins brothers, Ricky and David, both tested the keeper before skipper Michael Duff doubled the lead in the 35th minute when his header from a McIntyre corner flashed past the keeper.

Midway through the second session Ballynure were awarded a penalty when Ellis was sent sprawling in the box. The keeper saved Mark Leckey’s spot-kick, but the big defender reacted quickly to fire in the rebound.

The final goal was scored by Man of the Match David Higgins, who overlapped to run on to a Forsythe pass and secure the emphatic 4-0 win.

The semi-final is against Killymoon Rangers on Saturday. Before that ‘Nure have a vital midweek league clash with Brantwood.

“It’s a must-win game with no room for error,” Burns said.