Young Ports march into final

The Ports will face Cookstown or Lurgan Celtic in the showpiece tie, on a date to be arranged.

Peter Campbell kicked off the scoring at Rathfriland to cap positive approach play.

Zach Crooks, Nedas Maciulaitis and Scott Megaw were also on the scoresheet - with goalkeeper Conor Larkin converting a penalty kick.

“Conor produced two good first-half saves as we held a 1-0 lead despite not playing that well but still creating chances,” said Chris Wright, manager of Portadown thirds. “We were very good in the second half, with Zach Crooks excellent and Jackson Holmes outstanding off the bench as one of the impressive players promoted from the under 17s.”

PORTADOWN THIRDS: Conor Larkin, Scott Megaw, Joel Copes, Tiernan Judge, Mark Johnstone, Zach Crooks, Joel Adams, Peter McPartland, Peter Campbell, Thomas Aston, Adam Brown. Subs: Jackson Holmes, Eoin McCluskey, Nedas Maciulaitis.

Adam Brown finished with a midweek double and Pauddy Judge was also on target in the NIFL Reserve League defeat for Portadown by 4-3 to Glenavon.