SUPERCUPNI: County teams keep Premier hopes alive with vital victories

By The Newsroom
Published 26th Jul 2016, 23:06 BST
Updated 25th Aug 2016, 19:08 BST
County Armaghs Lorcan Forde celebrates after scoring the opening goal against County DownCounty Armaghs Lorcan Forde celebrates after scoring the opening goal against County Down
County Armaghs Lorcan Forde celebrates after scoring the opening goal against County Down
County teams Down, Antrim and Tyrone were celebrating intercounty victories at the SuperCupNI on Tuesday night.

Both Down and Antrim have a real chance of qualifying for Thursday’s night’s Premier Section semi-finals.

John Bailie’s County Down team are emerging as potential contenders after they got they better of Armagh at the Coleraine Showgrounds. Down won 2-1. Adam Garland and Niall Cassidy got the goals for Bailie’s boys.

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Holders Antrim are also in the mix four qualifications. Andy Hunter’s boys beat Londonderry 2-1 in Ballymena with Padraig Hughes and Francis Nolan finding the net.

In Limavady, Tyrone claimed a 3-1 win over Fermanagh. Dylan O’Hagan, Armas Irzikevicus and Rhyss Campbell were the goalscorers.

Newcastle United and Right to Dream played-out a six-goal thriller in Portstewart, drawing 3-3 at Seahaven.

Hibernians claimed their second win of the tournament, beating New Zealanders Otago 4-0 in Ballymoney’s Riada Stadium.

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Last year’s beaten finalists Club America got the better of Real Sociedad in Ballymoney. The Mexicans won 1-0 at the Riada.

Zambian side Lusaka were celebrating in the Lodge hotel yesterday evening after they recorded an impressive 3-1 win over New Zealanders MS Select in Clough.

Japanese club Ichifuna are considered to be dark horses for the Premier title. They beat Columbian side Alset in Portstewart to move onto six points.

Brazilan side Osasco bounced back from Monday’s defeat to Hibs by beating The Strikers 2-0 in Broughshane.

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Belgium side Mechelen moved onto four points with a 2-1 win over Brazilians Ponte Preta at Rugby Avenue.

Chilean side O’Higgins are another team who could challenge for the Premier trophy. They followed up Monday’s win over Right To Dream with a 4-0 win over 2014 finalists Vendee in Portrush.

The top four teams after today’s matches will qualify for tomorrow’s semi-finals. After yesterday’s results County Down, County Antrim, Hibernian, Chilean side O’Higgins and Japanese club Ichifuna.

County Tyrone, Newcastle United and KV Mechelen are all in the mix for the semi-finals with four points.

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Today, County Down will take on New Zealanders MS Select at the Riada Stadium, with kick-off set for 7pm.

Elsewhere, Ichifuna play Armagh in Limavady while Antrim face Real Sociedad at the same venue later in the day. O’Higgins will play Tyrone in Ballymena, while Hibs play Strikers at Rugby Avenue.