Would The Real Ballymena United, Please Stand-up?

It was all too easy as Cliftonville players celebrate Joe Gormley’s (2nd from right) goal which effectively extinguished Ballymena’s hopes...Ballymena United - the enigma club of local football.

Only four days ago I watched them stage a thrilling comeback to topple fancied Larne at Warden Street. Tonight they simply didn’t turn up.

Cliftonville will have few easier semi-finals. Normally these are real pressure games, tight and often decided by a solitary error or piece of brilliance. Tonight’s occasion was far from typical.

The Reds barely had to break sweat. They weren’t at the top of their game themselves, it simply wasn’t necessary, and when Paul O’Neill’s air-shot sent the Ballymena…