When the Irish Cup Sixth Round draw was revealed, I penned an article shortly after listing my clear preference for the coveted BBC Northern Ireland broadcast slot.
And with the last-eight draw having been made, I still say the national broadcaster’s decision to screen said suggested match to an international audience was spot on.
Yes, Glentoran’s victory away to Ballymacash Rangers was emphatic and a bit of a mismatch at face value – a fairly routine 6-1 success for Warren Feeney’s men in Lisburn – but the significance of the game, particularly for the hosts, is not one that can be told just by looking at the scoreline.
On the pitch on Friday night, the Glens swatted away notions of a seismic upset right from Shay McCartan’s 10th-minute opener, followed up in the first period by further strikes by former Northern Ireland hero Niall McGinn, captain Marcus Kane and a David Fisher penalty after midfielder Seanan Clucas was bundled over by ‘Cash shot-stopper Brian Neeson.
The Premier Intermediate League panel did make an inroad in the scoreline through one-time Glentoran Academy talent Carl McComb, splitting Daire O’Connor and Bobby Burns finishes in the second half to give the Bluebell faithful cause for cheer, but there was no haunting repeat of Newington at home 12 years prior for the slick east Belfast outfit as they professionally made sure of themselves as the first name in the quarter-final hat.
But despite the result, it was still a memorable night for third-tier Ballymacash, who had never competitively entertained Premiership opposition before.
There wasn’t a corner of the ground that wasn’t packed; an attendance surely well in excess of 1,000 was present under the Friday night lights, with spectators aiming to capture as best a view of the action as they could.
What’s more, the social club was suitably packed and amenities were availed of by both the home and away followers – many of the latter ticking a new venue off on the bucket list – and that an outfit from the lower ranks received extensive media coverage both in nationwide broadcast and print outlets is surely healthy for the Irish League ecosystem.
It is the second year in a row that BBC NI’s Sixth Round screening of choice has involved a PIL team hosting a Premiership big gun, following Bangor’s hosting of Crusaders at Clandeboye Park in 2023 that Stephen Baxter’s Hatchetmen nudged 2-1, and on both occasions, it brought a formidable crowd and saw the home club reap the rewards of the increased publicity.
The signs would point to this strategy working; people are interested and prepared to flock in their droves to see these David versus Goliath encounters, and there is a captivation that comes with the lower levels of the Irish League which rises to particular prominence in the cups.
Really, it suits all parties. No less than that many among the Ballymacash cohort, including manager Lee Forsythe, fulfilled a dream facing off against their boyhood club, while forward McComb will now forever be synonymous as the man who scored against the Glens on TV.
The ‘Cash, third-placed in the PIL and with promotion ambitions in the near future, will turn their focus back to the league front.
They are keen to rise into the senior ranks and will work hard to fulfil that ambition perhaps as soon as May.
This outing was more about enjoyment, a welcome distraction. But that it was made to truly feel like an occasion and a happy memory is all the stronger a case for third-flight clubs to be under the spotlight on these sorts of nights.
The magic of the cup. It’s still alive, you know.
Featured image from Paul Harvey Photography.
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