Ballynure set to face Rathcoole in semi-final

Twice this season the Old Boys have fallen at the penultimate stage to Brantwood in cup competitions. Rathcoole, beaten 5-1 by Newtowne in the Mcreynolds Cup semi-final, will be aiming for another Cup final appearance following their recent Crawford Cup success.

Having already knocked Ballynure out of the Crawford Cup at the semi-final stage, Brantwood repeated the performance in midweek at the last-four stage in the McReynolds Cup.

Played on a round-robin basis this season, involving all nine Ballymena Premier League sides, Ballynure qualified for the McReynolds knockout stages with an undefeated record, but the Brants on their own patch at Skegoneill Avenue came out tops on a 1-0 scoreline.

The winning strike came on the hour when stand-in keeper, Ryan Stewart, was beaten from close range following a goalmouth scramble.

“Brantwood are worthy Ballymena champions with only one defeat, and we at Ballynure wish them well when they take on Dollingstown in an attempt to gain IFA Championship 2 status,” declared ‘Nure chairman, Michael Graham.

Ballynure completed their league programme with a 3-1 win against Magherafelt Sky Blues to ensure that they finished only a point away from a podium placing alongside Brantwood and Desertmartin.

Meanwhile, FC Ballynure defeated Carniny Amateurs 4-3 in the Premier Division. Ballynure fought back from 2-0 down with goals from Ryan Caskey (two), Lee Ferguson and Mark Steele.