The Halloween Round of 16 delivered everything a cup competition should: goals, drama, upsets and some outstanding individual performances as teams booked their places in the quarter-finals.

Shock of the round undoubtedly came as five-time consecutive Shield winners Cleary Celtic saw their remarkable reign come to an end. A thrilling encounter saw Dunnaman FC emerge 5-3 winners, despite a hat-trick from Cleary’s Caolan Gray. Credit to Dunnaman on a superb result, earning praise from Cleary manager John Hogg, who sportingly wished them well in the next round.

Mayobridge produced one of the performances of the round, sweeping aside Newmills Reserves with an emphatic 8-0 victory. Leading 5-0 at the break, doubles from Cory Quinn, Shea Byrne and Liam Mathers helped seal an outstanding win.

Last season’s finalists Hillsborough Boys also bowed out, suffering a 4-1 defeat to fellow Mid Ulster side Westend Hibs. Sean and Oisin Cowan were both on target before Westend powered their way into the last eight.

In the Lurgan derby, Lurgan Town U23s claimed local bragging rights with a deserved 3-0 victory over Hill Street. Bobby Harvey broke the deadlock before a late double from Niall McBride secured progression.

Riverdale were in ruthless form, dismantling Cookstown RBL Swifts 7-1. Fionntan Cullen grabbed two goals while Connor Agnew completed a second-half hat-trick in a dominant display.

Rathfriland Rangers Reserves matched that scoring power, hitting Scarva Rangers for eight in an 8-1 victory. Jamie Fitzpatrick, Adam Loughlin and Harry Johnston all helped themselves to braces as Rathfriland cruised through.

The closest contest of the day came in Cookstown, where Cookstown Olympic produced a stunning comeback to defeat Division One side Keady Celtic 4-3. Trailing 2-0 at half-time, Olympic turned the tie on its head with four goals in a blistering second-half spell, with Craig O’Kane netting twice in a memorable cup upset.

With holders eliminated and several fancied sides crashing out, the race for the €URO-€LECTRIX Ivan Marshall MU Shield is now wide open. If the last round is anything to go by, the quarter-finals promise even more excitement.

Results
West End Hibs 4-1 Hillsborough Boys
Rathfriland Rangers Reserves 8-1 Scarva Rangers
Lurgan Town U23 3-0 Hill Street
Dunnaman 5-3 Cleary Celtic
Cookstown Olympic 4-3 Keady Celtic
Goodyear P-P Moneyslane Reserves / Coagh United Reserved
Riverdale 7-1 Cookstown RBL Swifts
Mayobridge 8-0 Newmills Reserves