The champions Dungannon were sent crashing out of the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup 12-10, thanks to two second-half tries from a lively and spirited Instonians side in the quarterfinal at Shaw's Bridge.
True, Dungannon were severely weakened with the absence of all their representative players, but they were still fancied to defend their title with the typical abrasiveness that landed them the Division Two All-Ireland League title and promotion. Ashley Blair had given Dungannon a narrow half-time advantage with a 30th minute penalty. Instonians should really have been well in front at this stage with Gareth McCullough missing four very kickable penalty attempts.
However, Instonians charged into the lead with a try by hooker Paul Shields seven minutes after the restart with McCullough converting, and then with 15 minutes remaining left-winger Paul Chambers sprinted over. Dungannon tried to fight back, but their only reward was a late push-over try by replacement Richie Weir converted by Blair as Instonians chalked up their first victory at their new venue since agreeing to move from Shane Park to link up with junior club Cooke at the picturesque Shaw's Bridge ground in Belfast.
It took a bizarre incident to let last season's beaten finalists, Malone, edge through 14-7 against City of Derry at Judges Road. The game looked to be meandering into injury time at seven points each when full back Gareth Fry tried a drop goal. The kick looped wide, but the ball bounced back into play and Malone second row Darren Barbour was up to crash over at the posts. Fry converted as he did with Malone's opening score by out-half Robert Scott. Derry's scores came from a Stephen Lindsy try and Barry Galbraith conversion. There were no shocks at Ballynahinch where the fancied Ballymena side cruised through to the semi-final with a 39-19 win. Despite being without their top players, they ran in six tries through Chris McCarey, Clarke Millar, Johnny Wells, Andy Graham, Nicky Fullerton and John Andrews who also kicked four conversions.
Ballynahinch, who had John Wilson sent off in the second half replied through John Manning, Brian Wilson and Glen Kyle grabbing tries and two conversions from Daryl Callaghan. North hadn't beaten Portadown this season, and the trend continued at Chambers Park when the home side won 39-17. Portadown scored five tries through Adrian Reavey, Graeme McCluskey, Alan Eagleson, Jeff Park and Ronnie McDowell to book a place in the last four for the first time. North replied through tries from Derek Wilson, Rickie Friedricks and Johnny McGarry.
