Brilliant Brian bags a hat-trick to help put Slane's challengers on cloud nine

It was a stunning success over a mid-table Tullyvallen side and kept Slane just one point behind second placed Windmill Stars.

And it sets them up well for their trip to leaders Dungannon Tigers next weekend.

Gregg Harrison bagged a brace while Johnny Kernaghan, Neil Taylor, Adam Stewart and skipper Gareth Bingham all got in on the act.

“Despite so many good performances,” said Johnstone, “the MOTM award went to Brian Quilty who with a hattrick and an impressive creative display was in fantastic form.

“After missing chances in our recent games, we challenged the players to start well and for the front players to be clinical.

“To go 5-0 up after 20 minutes is some response. To be 7-0 up at half time and go on to win 9-0 against an in form Tullyvallen team who are a tough opponent, can only be described as emphatic. I thought Adam Stewart did very well in centre midfield, Ryan Shilliday solid at the back, Gregg Harrison was lively and the two wingers JK and Gareth Rees were unplayable at times.

“It was a significant result achieved with three influential players not starting which shows the strength in depth that we have and that we will need for the rest of the season.

“Darragh (Peden) and I are delighted with the result and the performance but the mantra is ‘one game at a time’ and next week we have a tough fixture in Dungannon.

“A special mention to Gregg Harrison who sponsored the match ball for today’s game. His generosity is appreciated.”

Slane went into the game without Michael Ferguson and Stevie Coulter while Mark Ervine was only available for the bench.

Quilty began with a quickfire double before Johnny Kernaghan ebenefitted from a clever Harrison stepover to slam home the third. He returned the favour soon after when he delivered a super cross for Harrison to head home.

Not content, the home team poured forward and when Quilty freed Kernaghan down the left, his cross was headed home by Taylor.

Gareth Rees then beat his man on the left and his low cross was dummied by Harrison for Stewart to side foot home from 10 yards out to make it 6-0. Just before half time the impressive first half display was capped with another good Harrison header for seven.

The home supporters had to wait until the final 15 minutes for the last two goals when Bingham headed home and Quilty completed his has-trick with a cool finish into the bottom corner.

SLANE: White, Quinn, Taylor, Shilliday, Peden, Stewart, Bingham, Harrison, Rees, Quilty, Kernaghan

Subs: Gibson, Hanna, Ervine, Coulter