And in a game delayed by ten minutes to allow the Glentoran travelling support to get to the venue it only took them sixty seconds to open the scoring when Gary Hamilton knocked home a close range effort after combining with Michael Halliday.

Hamilton did it again four minutes later after connecting with a Sean Ward throw-in from the right.

He completed his hat-trick on 12 mins after he pounced to turn home the loose ball after Newry keeper Andy Coleman could only parry his initial shot.

Newry, to their credit, didn't let their heads drop after this traumatic opening and, indeed, created the majority of chances in the remainder of the first half with Paddy Quinn, in particular, twice going close only to be denied by Elliott Morris while another effort was blocked by Paul Leeman.

However, just two minutes into the second half, Michael Halliday knocked the stuffing out of Newry when he finished off an excellent run and cross from the right by Peter McCann to further extend Glentoran's advantage.