Crusaders Triumph in Cooperative Antrim Shield Quarter-Finals

The Co Antrim Shield quarter-finals witnessed an intense battle at Seaview where Crusaders secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Linfield. The match, held in North Belfast, captivated fans with a flurry of goals and remarkable performances.

Opening the scoring for the hosts was Harry Franklin, who headed in Ross Clarke’s cross in the second minute, setting the stage for a thrilling contest. Jarlath O’Rourke further strengthened Crusaders’ position, netting twice to give the home side a commanding lead. “It was a hard-fought match, but the boys were fantastic,” stated a Crusaders spokesperson.

Linfield, however, fought back with Chris Shields converting a penalty in the 76th minute, followed shortly by a splendid free-kick from debutant Liam Burns, which rekindled hope for the visitors. Despite their efforts, Linfield could not close the gap before the final whistle.

In a separate encounter, Larne displayed sheer dominance at Inver Park, overcoming Newington 4-0. Larne’s Paul O'Neill was the standout player, scoring all four second-half goals, including one from the penalty spot. The reigning champions continue their pursuit of a fifth consecutive Shield triumph.

Meanwhile, Glentoran also advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-0 home win against Carrick Rangers. Goals from Jay Donnelly and Jordan Jenkins ensured their progression. Carrick Rangers were guided by interim leaders Mark Surgenor and Curtis Allen, as newly appointed manager Stephen Baxter looked on from the stands.

In another tightly contested match, Aaron Jarvis scored the decisive goal for Ballymena United, helping the Premiership leaders secure a narrow 1-0 victory over Cliftonville at Solitude.

Tuesday’s matches featured thrilling moments and significant outcomes as each team vied for a spot in the semi-finals. The fans will be eagerly anticipating the next rounds as the competition intensifies.