Cal Weatherup produced a clinical hat-trick as Glentoran Seconds delivered a commanding 6–1 victory over Dungannon Swifts Seconds to strengthen their position at the top of the NIFL Premiership Development League.

The young Glens entered the fixture on 58 points following last week’s win over Bangor Reserves, sitting four points clear of Linfield Swifts with both sides having played 24 matches. By full-time, that gap had stretched as the league leaders moved onto 61 points with another authoritative display.

Ciaran Rogers-Duffy once again wore the captain’s armband, with Weatherup and leading scorer James McClure spearheading the attack. Jack Faloona anchored midfield, while Jack Watt retained his place between the posts.

Despite Dungannon enjoying a strong start in possession, it was the Glens who struck first. On nine minutes, Weatherup coolly converted from the penalty spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way after the visitors were penalised inside the area.

Glentoran doubled their advantage just before the interval. Weatherup’s dangerous cross caused confusion in the Dungannon box, and when the goalkeeper failed to gather, McClure reacted quickest to slot home on 43 minutes.

The hosts took full control after the restart. Reece Bell’s precise delivery from the right on 63 minutes was met by Jake Drennan, who powered a superb header into the top corner to make it 3–0.

Six minutes later, Weatherup added his second penalty of the evening after McClure was brought down following a surging run down the wing. The forward stepped up confidently to extend the lead.

Weatherup completed his hat-trick in style when Charlie Heron’s perfectly weighted ball over the top released him in behind. The forward skipped past challenges before hammering beyond the advancing goalkeeper.

Dungannon pulled one back from the penalty spot on 75 minutes after Cillian McCann was adjudged to have fouled an attacker, but the response was swift.

With ten minutes remaining, McClure turned provider, threading an incisive pass into the path of Daniel Beatty, who finished emphatically from the edge of the area to cap a dominant evening.

The result keeps Glentoran Seconds firmly top of the Development League table on 61 points ahead of next Monday’s trip to the Coleraine Showgrounds to face Coleraine Reserves.

Full-Time: Glentoran Seconds 6–1 Dungannon Swifts Seconds

Starting XI: Watt (GK); Campbell, Drennan, Rogers-Duffy (C), McCann; Heron, Faloona, Bell; McClure, Weatherup, Beatty.

Substitutes: Sawyer (GK), Dolan, Magee, Irvine, Fitzsimons.