Holders cruise into last four

Damien McGee’s side in truth were lack lustre for the majority of the first half at McCourt’s, but a half-time dressing down ensured a better second half and they ran out comfortable victors, particularly after netting three times in the space of eight minutes.

In what was a disappointing first half the visitors took the lead on 36 minutes when some sloppy defending allowed Adam Ritchie pick up a loose ball before calmly drilling the ball home in off the post.

Moments later a flick on by Daniel McIntyre found Peter McLaughlin inside the box, but after getting the ball under control the midfielder’s shot from 16 yards was easily saved by Burnfoot keeper George Somers.

The home side had a glorious chance to level things on 42 minutes when Eddie McIntyre’s drive was handled inside the box by Vinny McDaid, referee Paul Quigley pointed to the spot, but McIntyre’s resulting penalty was superbly kept out by Somers.

Early on after the break Daniel McIntyre’s flick on released Carl O’Kane, but the striker’s tame shot from inside the box was easily gathered by Somers.

Ardmore did level things on 54 minutes when Eddie McIntyre’s right wing corner found Danny Doherty at the back post and the big centre-back made no mistake heading home.

The cup holders took the lead two minutes later when a tremendous right wing centre by Anthony Hargan found Barry Gormley and his diving header flew past Somers and sparked some funny celebrations from the midfielder.

Soon after Gormley missed a glorious chance to increase Ardmore’s lead when Mark McLaughlin’s left wing centre found the midfielder unmarked at the back post, but this time he headed wide.

Just after the hour mark the tie was ended as a contest when Philip Deehan’s clever through ball found Daniel McIntyre and his right wing cross found Peter McLaughlin, who gleefully headed home from close range.

On 75 minutes another counter-attack by the home side ended when Daniel McIntyre broke the offside trap before rounding Somers and unselfishly squaring the ball to an unmarked Carl O’Kane and he side footed home into the empty net.

Four minutes later Ardmore completed their rout when another Hargan centre from the right this time found substitute Raymond Rogan at the back post, he showed super composure to side step his marker, before firing home from 12 yards.

Ardmore: James Boyle, Anthony Hargan, Philip Deehan, Danny Doherty, Mark McLaughlin; James Melly, Peter McLaughlin, Emmett McIntyre; Barry Gormley, Daniel McIntyre, Carl O’Kane. Subs: Caelon Duddy, Raymond Rogan, Richard Stewart, Gerard McDaid.

Burnfoot: George Somers, David Hutchinson, Matthew McMullan, Craig McAleese, Stephen Faulkner, Vincent McDaid, Ross Elder, Ian Rankin, Aaron Wilson, Ryan Muirhead, Adam Ritchie. Subs: Wilson Tosh, Adam Averill, David Magee, Corey McAleese, Jason Scott.

Referee: Mr Paul Quigley.