A STELLAR performance from Sheperd's was how this preliminary round match in the B McAdam Knockout Cup, sponsored by the Coach Inn, was described.

McGrath's will look upon it differently as they plummeted to a 7-2 defeat.

Tom Bell, followed by Ivan Topping, had the home side leading but even at this early stage McGrath's still fancied themselves to see off the First Division side.

The alarm bells began to sound when Francis Donnelly also fell by the wayside, being defeated by Mark Doolan.

At 3-0 Mark Kinneen managed to play something resembling Premier standard as he pulled one back for McGrath's.

David Craig's tactics matched if not even surpassed those of Luigi as he put Shepherd's four up, requiring one to go through.

It got a bit nervy for the home side when Aidan Barry retrieved a second win for McGrath's.

Ronnie Weir was the man of the match as he held his nerve to win the all important seventh game which would see Shepherd's through to the first round proper.

Steven Shepherd took a break from posing behind the bar to impress with some exhibition style potting.

Stephen Rudd completed McGrath's night of misery to end the match 7-2 in the best display of pool Shepherd's have ever played, period.

Donacloney Legion 5

Bridge Bar 4

Legion opened up a 2-0 lead with a win each for Neil Morton followed by Richard Draffin.

The next four matches were shared in one of those a brilliant six red clearance plus the black by Albert Clarke was the stand out game. Donacloney now led the match 4-2.

It was close to panic stations when Bridge Bar staged a comeback to level the match. The ninth and final game was an intense affair as both players were guilty of squandering chances.

Robert McCandless held his nerve the better of the two to pot the black, his win ensuring a place in the first round draw for Donacloney.

Halfway House A 4

Mulholland's 5

What was headlined as the tie of the round almost lived up to expectation between these two great rivals.

At half time the match looked a mere formality as Mulholland's led 4-0.

A remarkable come back was the only option for the home team. They almost achieved this as they won the next four games to square the match.

Unfortunately for them the ninth Halfway player failed to make the starting line. An anti-climax to draw to a close what could have been a classic encounter.

The 'Daddy's' can now look forward to the next round.

Bus Bar 4

First and Last 5

The home team began well in this all Premier clash with wins for K Hunt followed by P Beattie.

First and Last replied through J Skipper to reduce the lead the deficit to one. Bus Bar led again when Johnny Ward defeated K McCourt.

The visitors fought back to square the match at 3-3.

When Bus Bar led again by one through B McAleenan a win from one of the two players would see them cross the finishing line.