Fri. Nov 21st, 2025
Irish Cup: Moyola Park & Newry City Cause Shocks, Glentoran Advance

“`html

Moyola Park and Newry City, both from the Premier Intermediate League, orchestrated significant upsets in the BetMcLean Cup second round on Tuesday night, ousting Irish Premiership contenders Dungannon Swifts and Glenavon, respectively.

Moyola Park, currently leading the third tier of the Northern Ireland Football League, secured a narrow 1-0 victory against the Irish Cup holders at Stangmore Park, thanks to an early goal from Lee McLaughlin in the first minute, propelling them into the quarter-finals.

Similarly, Newry City claimed a 1-0 triumph over Glenavon, the bottom-ranked team in the top flight, at Newry Showgrounds, with Keith Dalton’s remarkable strike just 42 seconds into the match proving decisive.

In other action, Glentoran, the previous year’s runners-up, overcame Crusaders 2-1 in an all-Premiership encounter at the Oval, with goals from Jonathan Russell and David Fisher sealing their progression.

Kurtis Forsythe managed a late consolation goal for the visitors.

Coleraine advanced emphatically to the last eight with a commanding 7-1 victory over Armagh City at home, with Rowan McDonald initiating the scoring spree, followed by Oliver Devlin, Lewis McGregor, and Declan McManus, who each scored twice.

Ben Mullen scored a late goal for the Championship side.

Tiarnan O’Connor also scored twice, his second-half goals guiding Larne to a 2-1 win against Bangor at Inver Park.

O’Connor headed in Conor McKendry’s cross from close range seven minutes after entering the game, and then extended Larne’s lead with a curling shot in the 84th minute. Ben Arthurs scored a consolation goal for Bangor with three minutes remaining.

Meanwhile, Ballymena United secured their spot in the quarter-finals with three second-half goals against Championship side Newington at the Showgrounds.

Danny Lafferty, Success Edogun, and Calvin McCurry scored for Ballymena in their 3-0 victory.

The remaining second-round matches will be played on Wednesday night, with Cliftonville hosting Strabane Athletic and Linfield traveling to face H&W Welders.

In the Belfast derby at the Oval, Glentoran took an early lead as Russell headed home after Crusaders goalkeeper Musa Dibaga mishandled Fisher’s cross.

Crusaders had their first chance shortly after, but Glentoran goalkeeper Billy Crellin saved Adam Brooks’ shot.

Glentoran dominated the rest of the half, with Liam Burt’s shot cleared off the line and Ryan Cooney’s free-kick going just wide.

Jordan Jenkins nearly extended Glentoran’s lead in the 25th minute, but his shot hit the post.

Fisher scored from Jenkins’ cross to extend Glentoran’s lead before halftime.

In the second half, James Singleton’s shot hit the woodwork in the 71st minute.

Forsythe scored a late goal for Crusaders in the 90th minute, but they couldn’t find an equaliser.

Ballymena Utd 3-0 Newington

Coleraine 7-1 Armagh City

Dungannon Swifts 0-1 Moyola Park

Glentoran 2-1 Crusaders

Larne 2-1 Bangor

Newry City 1-0 Glenavon

Cliftonville v Strabane Athletic (Wed, 19:45 GMT)

H&W Welders v Linfield (Wed, 19:45 GMT)

“`