Condolences.

 All at Crumlin Star FC would like to express their sympathy to the Tolan Family and relatives of the late Gerry Tolan. Gerry, who was Chairman of the Crumlin Star Social Club, sadly passed away on Monday. Thoughts and prayers are with his Family.

Heres Gerry presenting Minto with Clubman of the Year back in June

                                              Rathfriland Rangers 1-5 Crumlin Star

Both of these side were tipped to challenge for the title this season so the Ardoyne side were eager to put in a good performance and that they did with a show of devastating finishing and quality football throughout.

A scintillating first half display from Barry McKervey seen him bag himself a hat trick and an assist as the Star bulldozed themselves into a half time 4-0 lead.

McKervey put the Star in front as early as the sixth minute when he found a bit of space at the edge of the box and curled a delightful effort into the top corner.

Paul Berne had a glorious chance to double the Stars lead minutes later but could only hit a defender on the line from five yards out. From the resulting corner McKerveys first attempt was initially cleared but when the ball came back out to him he once again found the far top corner with another sweet left foot shot.

McKervey then turned provider for the Stars third goal when his pin point cross found the unmarked PJ O'Neill for the big striker to send a bullet of a header into the back of the net.

Just before the interval McKervey grabbed his hat trick when he cut in from the left flank but this time with his right foot curled yet another screamer into the top corner from the edge of the box.

HT 0-4

With the damage already done the home side were sent out to play for some pride and they gave a better account of themselves in the second period. Rathfriland where awarded a soft penalty on the hour after Savage was accused of upending the home sides striker, the same player took the resulting penalty and sent Thompson in goal the wrong way to make it 4-1.

Soon after it was the Stars turn to get a soft penalty when Ciaran Burns went on a lung busting run from his own half and after beating two players he was then sandwiched by another two inside the box for the referee to point to the spot once again. Up stepped McKervey to fire the spot kick home for his fourth of the day.

Murphy, McNeill & Whelan all came on with twenty minutes to go and went straight into the thick of the action as Murphy squandered two clear chances after being one on one with the keeper.

Team: Thompson (8) McDowell (8) Berne (7) Burns (8) Savage (9) Mooney (7) McLarnon (8) Hawkins (8) McKervey (10) F.Murphy (8) O'Neill (8)

Subs: C.Murphy (7) McNeill (7) Whelan (7)

Next week the Star are at home to Lisburn Rangers in the Irish Cup at Solitude, Kick off 1:30pm

Barry McKervey is back in the green of the Star and scoring more spectacular goals