Belfast & District League Division 3

Shamrock II             3

St Luke’s III             6

Shamrock will have come away from this defeat at the Grove with plenty of positives despite conceding six goals.

The Ardoyne men got off to the perfect start when Liam O’Neill found the back of the net but Shamrock’s joy was shortlived as St Luke’s fired home four goals to leave it 4-1 at the interval.

Shamrock reshuffled at the break and in the second half Barry Mooney was a constant threat up front while goalkeeper Terence McManus produced a succession of telling saves.

It was Mooney who gave the North Belfast side some hope with a neat finish after good work from Stephen Murphy.

However, St Luke’s took advantage of a defensive mix up to restore their three-goal cushion. The Shamrock management then introduced Christopher Maguire for Tony Maguire and the sub made an immediate impact with a well-taken goal, converting Thomas McKinney’s pass. St Luke’s scored in the last minute to put a gloss on the result but Shamrock will be hoping improved concentration can help them to three points against Clonard Hibs at Mallusk on Saturday.

SHAMROCK: T McManus, M Marky, S Murphy, T McKinney, D Murphy, T Reilly, B Mooney, P Smyth, C Maguire, L O’Neill, J Maguire, B Mooney, T Maguire.