Brantwood’s loss is Ballynure Old Boys’ gain

“We were scheduled to play Castle Star at Taylor’s Avenue, but that ground was required for Carrick Rangers’ Irish Cup tie, so we were left without a match,” said manager, Gary Burns.

“However, our grip on the title strengthened when one of our main rivals, Brantwood, were surprisingly beaten by Killymoon Rangers. Although we are 12 points clear at the top, five teams could overtake us, so I’ll be making sure that there will be no complacency in the run-in,” he warned.

“Newtowne, from Limavady, with several matches in hand maintained their challenge with a comprehensive win against Chimney Corner, so when we meet them on a date to be arranged it should be a cracker.”

On Saturday Ballynure expect to be off to Desertmartin to replay their McReynolds Cup tie that was abandoned a few weeks ago when the referee developed a calf problem.

Burns’ lads are also still involved in the Crawford and O’Gorman Cups, and with seven league fixtures to fulfil it will be a busy end-of-season programme.

Elsewhere, in the Intermediate Division, Rathcoole claimed 2-0 away win at Ballysillan Swifts.

Rathcoole went in front when Matt Doyle scored in the fifth minute and although both teams had chances the second goal wasn’t scored until Stephen Coppen found the net in the 45th minute.

Other Intermediate Division results: Brantwood 1 Killymoon Rangers 2; Chimney Corner 0 Newtowne 3.