Illistrin United qualified for the semi-finals of the U16 Champions League with a 3-2 victory over Drumkeen United at Ballyare. This was a game where Drumkeen had to win to advance at the expense of their hosts and they came out with all guns blazing in the first ten minutes. Illistrin weathered the storm and slowly got into the game with their midfield taking a hold on the match. After 18 minutes Illistrin opened the scoring when John McGranaghan clipped the ball over the Drumkeen defence and Daniel Faulkner ran on to the pass, rounded the keeper and rolled the ball into the net. Then 10 minutes later Daniel got his second of the night with a wonderful individual effort. Receiving the ball at the edge of the box, he held off the first tackle and then produced a wonderful bit of skill, turning between two defenders with a "drag back" before slotting the ball home. Drumkeen tried hard to get a goal back before half-time with Kevin Bonner in particular causing the home defence some anxious moments, but they trailed at the break 2-0.

Illistrin started the second half in control and five minutes in Daniel got a deserved hat trick, beating the keeper to a long ball and finishing cooly. At 3-0 down, Drumkeen could have been forgiven if they had thrown in the towel, but Hugo Bonner's men are made of stronger stuff! Darren Bonner was causing havoc in the home defence with his free kicks from all distances and on the 55th minute he scored a screamer from 30 yards out on the left. Drumkeen piled on the pressure looking for more and from another free kick, this time on the half way line, Darren's free kick came back off the crossbar and Kevin Bonner bravely dived in to head to the back of the net. Drumkeen pushed hard for an equaliser, but the home defence held on to secure the win and a place in the semi-finals. They will now meet Eany Celtic for a place in the final.

Con McLaughlin was in charge of the game and his handling of the game was excellent, with his experience in particular evident with two potentially serious incidents when first Niall Hannigan went down injured and then Kevin Bonner got hurt scoring for Drumkeen. Thankfully both lads recovered and Con's calmness at the time allowed both lads the time to recover.