'Burkey Cup' semi-finals taking shape

The two latest quarter-final ties in the Burkey Cup produced plenty of quality football and lots of goals with Phoenix Athletic and Foyle Harps each progressing to the semi-finals of the competition.

Phoenix Athletic 4, Northcoast United 4 (Phoenix won 4 - 3 on penalties)

Phoenix broke the deadlock after ten minutes through the lively Lee Harkin. However, Northcoast weren't behind for long as Bobby Deane found space inside the box and beat the Phoenix keeper with a crisp drive.

Phoenix restored their lead when Lee Harkin took a pass from Oran Carlin in his stride and lashed the ball into the bottom corner of the net.

Northcoast responded well and equalised through Jack McMichael. His superb volley gave the Phoenix keeper no chance as it found the top corner.

The second half saw the young Phoenix team step up a gear, and they regained the lead when Lee Harkin slotted home from the edge of the area to complete his hat-trick.

The game looked to be over when Phoenix scored a fourth. Oran Carlin picked up a poor defensive clearance to lob the keeper from thirty yards.

To their credit, Northcoast continued press, and they pulled one back when Andy Whiteside headed home at the back post. They now had their tails up and deservedly equalised for the third time when Bobby Jack latched on to a loose ball and fired home.

This took the game to the dreaded penalties, and Phoenix held their nerve to advance to the semi-final.

Foyle Harps 6, Lisahally 3

Competition favourites Harps were made to work hard to book their place in the semi-final.

It was nip and tuck for the first twenty minutes before Harps opened the scoring when Ryan Doherty created an opening for himself to shoot low past Sean O'Donnell in the Lisahally goal.

On the stroke of half-time, Harps doubled their advantage through Mikhail Kennedy, who capitalised on a defensive error to score. However, before the referee could blow for half-time, Lisahally pulled a goal back when Joe McCready popped up at the back post to stab home a low cross.

Harps restored their two goal advantage when Kennedy outpaced the defence to slot home. However, Lisahally refused to go away and pulled one back through Mehawl Brown. Harps then appeared to step up a gear and struck twice within five minutes. Ryan Doherty was first to score following good work by Kennedy, who then returned the compliment by setting up Doherty for his hat-trick goal and Harps fifth.

Mikhail Kennedy then completed his hat-trick when he layched onto a loose ball and beat O'Donnell with a fine drive. Again, Lisahally refused to lie down and scored a third from a rather controversial penalty decision. Joe McCready converted to end the scoring.

The draw for the semi-finals of the Impact-NI, Complete Accident Management sponsored Burkey Cup, took place following the Foyle Harps v Lisahally game and resulted as follows: Saturday 17th May - Phoenix Athletic v Ballymac Celtic (Ko 2.00pm); Monday 19th May - Foyle Harps v Creggan Swifts or Rosemount (Ko 6.45pm).

The final will take place on Saturday, May 24 at 2.00pm.