IRISH CUP: Donegal Celtic 2 Ballyclare Comrades 3

Ballyclare’s player-manager Eddie Hill came off the bench to score the winner as his side knocked Donegal Celtic out of the Irish Cup.

The Comrades fought back from two goals down to claim a 3-2 victory, with Hill netting the decisive goal in extra-time.

Nicky Maye’s side broke the deadlock at Suffolk Road thanks to a 10th-minute header from Patrick Kelly.

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Five minutes into the second session they doubled their advantage through Joe Todd.

Battling Ballyclare then pulled one back when Samuel McIlveen’s free-kick looped over ‘keeper Gerard McErlean.

DC’s Niall Hawkins then had the ball in the net but it was ruled out by the officials.

Gary Brown’s acrobatic scissor-kick brought the match to extra-time during which Kelly saw a penalty saved by Paddy Flood, and DC’s Emmett Templeton was sent off.

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McIlveen almost made it 4-2 to the visitors, but his effort rattled the bar.

Ballyclare Comrades: Flood, Doherty, Getty, Doyle, Buckley - Cooper, McIlveen, McGowan, Gray, Brown, Reid. Subs not used: McClurg, Simpson, McCart, E Hill.

Next match: Ballyclare Comrades v Bryansburn Rangers (Intermediate Cup round three, December 13 (3 pm).

More Comrades news in this week’s Times. Available in shops on Wednesday.

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