County Antrim and Mid Ulster cup results: 8 thrilling ties
County Antrim and Mid Ulster cup results brought eight quarter-final ties, three penalty shoot-outs and a series of close contests on Tuesday, 13 October. Dundela, Loughgall and Annagh United needed penalties to progress, while Cliftonville, Ballymena United, Bangor, Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon went through with wins in normal time.
The County Antrim Senior Shield and Mid Ulster Senior Cup offered a mix of local derbies, late goals and narrow scorelines. Here is the full round-up, with the scorers and shoot-out outcomes from each match.
County Antrim Senior Shield results
Cliftonville reached the semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Glentoran at Solitude. Ben Quinn scored the only goal in the 54th minute, giving the Reds the advantage in a tight quarter-final. Glentoran were unable to find an equaliser, and Quinn’s second-half strike proved decisive.
Dundela and Larne were level at 1-1 after 90 minutes at Wilgar Park, before Dundela won the shoot-out 5-3. Larne’s Mark Randall opened the scoring in the 63rd minute. Dundela pushed the tie into added time, where Kyle Owens struck in the 90+2nd minute to take the match to penalties. The Championship side held their nerve from the spot to knock out Larne.
Ballymena United also booked a semi-final place with a 1-0 victory over Crusaders. Conor Burns scored in the 40th minute, and his first-half goal was enough to decide the tie. It sets up a meeting with Dundela in the last four.
Bangor defeated Ards 3-1 in the local derby. Jay Boyd scored twice, finding the net in the 27th and 54th minutes, before Reece Neale added Bangor’s third in the 56th minute. Connor Maxwell pulled one back for Ards in the 63rd minute, but Bangor maintained their two-goal lead to advance. The Seasiders will face Cliftonville in the semi-finals.
Mid Ulster Senior Cup results
Dungannon Swifts progressed with a 3-0 away win against Armagh City. Shea Gordon gave Dungannon an early lead in the fifth minute. Andrew Mitchell extended the advantage in the 58th minute, and Corey Smith completed the scoring in the 70th. The result sends the Swifts into the next round without the need for extra time or penalties.
Loughgall advanced after a dramatic finish against Warrenpoint Town. Jon Graham put Loughgall ahead in the 51st minute, but Adetobi Jinadu equalised in the 90+5th minute to make it 1-1. With neither side able to find a winner in normal time, the tie went to a shoot-out. Loughgall eventually prevailed 9-8.
Annagh United also needed penalties after drawing 1-1 with Rathfriland Rangers. Matthew Holloway scored for Rathfriland in the 24th minute, and Ryan McNichle levelled for Annagh in the 55th. Annagh won the shoot-out 4-2 to secure their place in the next round.
Glenavon completed the Mid Ulster Senior Cup quarter-final results with a 2-1 victory over Valley Rangers. Brandon Doyle opened the scoring in the 16th minute, and Deaglan Healy doubled Glenavon’s lead in the 32nd. Valley Rangers responded through Christopher Cope in the 42nd minute, leaving the hosts with a one-goal advantage to protect. Glenavon held on to progress.
The County Antrim and Mid Ulster cup results saw three ties decided by penalties, with Dundela, Loughgall and Annagh United all emerging from shoot-outs as winners. The other five quarter-final winners—Cliftonville, Ballymena United, Bangor, Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon—secured their progress in regulation time.
County Antrim Senior Shield competition information County Antrim Football Association
Mid Ulster Senior Cup competition information midulsterfa.co.uk