​By Colm Shalvey

The very busy schedule in the GAA’s newest national hurling competition – The Celtic Challenge – continues this week. The competition for 16- and 17-year-old hurlers who are not sitting State Examinations this summer is currently featuring 14 matches across the country every Wednesday evening. There is plenty to play for as all six groups go into round five.

Following the completion of the Group Stages, teams will be graded on foot of their performance and will be assigned to 1 of 5 Divisions prior to participating in the Qualifiers and Play-Offs where they will play against opposition of a comparative developmental level - see the document at the bottom of the page for an outline on the following phases of the competition. 

GROUP A

South Kilkenny stayed top of Group A with a third straight win, this time at the expense of Carlow in Dunmore. John Nolan hit the only goal of the first half to help Carlow change ends on level terms at 1-5 to 0-8, but South Kilkenny dominated the second period to run out winners by 2-18 to 1-7, with the likes of Robert Dunne and Niall Hayden to the fore.

South Wexford recovered from a slow start to put South Tipperary to the sword in New Ross. A Niall Hoctor goal helped South Tipperary race into a five-point lead early on, but South Wexford had their deficit down to the minimum (1-6 to 0-8) by half-time. South Wexford made a flying opening to the second half with goals from Sam Wall and James Kelly and although Cathal Bourke and James Lyons kept the Tipp side in touch, another Wall major helped the hosts run out 3-15 to 1-14 winners. South Kilkenny travel to Cahir to face South Tipperary in the final round of group games this Wednesday, while South Wexford, who currently share second place with the Tipp side, are away to Waterford City.

GROUP B

Dublin Pearse continued their good form in Group B with a 3-14 to 0-11 win over Kildare at Craobh Chiaráin. A Jason Byrne goal helped Dublin Pearse lead by 1-9 to 0-5 at half-time and the star man went on to finish with 2-6, while a superb solo goal from Luke Hughes helped the Dublin side power to another victory.

**North Wexford **got back to winning ways with a 2-17 to 0-11 victory over Laois in Rathdowney.
Dublin Pearse will attempt to end the group with a 100% record when they go to Arklow to play Wicklow on Wednesday, while Kildare can finish second if they win at home to Laois.

GROUP C

Dublin Clarke had another good win in Group C against Westmeath at O’Toole Park. A series of well taken scores from Kevin Desmond, Luke McDwyer and Billy Ryan had Dublin Clarke in command at 0-11 to 0-4 by half-time. Westmeath got the only goal of the game, but that proved to be their sole second-half score, as Alex Hatt, Mark Grogan and Ryan helped the Dublin team win by 0-19 to 1-4.

Offaly produced a strong second-half performance to see off Meath in Trim. A Nicky Potterton goal had Meath level at 1-7 apiece at half-time, but Offaly stepped it up from there on to win by 1-21 to 1-13.
Group C’s top two clash when Offaly host leaders Dublin Clarke in round five, while O’Toole Park is the venue for **Dublin Plunkett **v Meath.

GROUP D

**Limerick City **stayed out in front in Group D when they saw off their county colleagues, West Limerick, by 1-18 to 1-7 at Rathkeale. Kerry did the hard work in the first half of their 1-20 to 1-12 win against North Cork in Milford. Gearóid Fennessy and Michael Slattery were again among the main men as Kerry claimed a 0-11 to 0-4 interval advantage on their way to a fine win.

Cork City and Kerry are still within touching distance of Limerick City at the top of Group D ahead of home games this week. Kerry face West Limerick at Austin Stack Park, with Cork City set to meet fellow county men North Cork at The Mon Field.

GROUP E

North Galway maintained their unblemished record in Group E with a 5-22 to 2-5 defeat of Mayo in Bekan. Ger Flahive top-scored with 2-8 for the dominant Galway side, while Seán Keating also bagged a brace of goals. Conor Newell got the fifth North Galway goal, while Mayo’s three-pointers came from Cormac Phillips and Michael Freyne.

South/East Clare ran out impressive 5-21 to 1-16 winners against Galway City/West in Tubber. The influential Paul Corry hit an early goal for South/East Clare and although Oisín Connolly responded, further goals by Corry and Rian Considine kept the Banner side in control. Corry completed his hat-trick in the closing minutes of the first half to help South/East Clare lead by 4-11 to 1-8 and with Eoin O’Hara (0-8) and Colin Brigdale (1-4) also contributing handsomely on the scoreboard, they stayed well clear.

North Clare were also on form, as they had too much for Roscommon on a 3-18 to 2-11 scoreline in Woodmount. 

North Galway bid to finish Group E with a fifth consecutive win when they welcome North Clare to Ballinderreen on Wednesday. Either Clare team could still top the standings, with the other Banner side, South/East Clare, away to Roscommon at Woodmount. Galway City/West will have a third win their sights in Sylane against Mayo.

GROUP F

Sligo put a fourth Group F win on the board when they saw off** Louth **at Cullion Hurling Club, Mullingar. Stephen Mulligan bagged a brace of early goals on his way to winning a second consecutive ‘Best and Fairest’ award and although Pádraic Cunningham hit 1-4 from frees in the first half for Louth, Mulligan completed his hat-trick to leave Louth seven clear at 3-5 to 1-4. Mulligan went on to finish with 4-4 as Sligo won by 4-11 to 2-10.

Monaghan got a second consecutive win thanks to a strong second-half effort against Leitrim in Cootehill. Leitrim led by 1-9 to 3-2 at half-time, but Monaghan found the net another three times in the second period to win by 6-7 to 2-12.

Cavan returned to winning ways by getting the better of Longford in Edgeworthstown. Longford were 1-5 to 0-5 up on 20 minutes, but a brace of goals in quick succession swung it in favour of Cavan, who conceded just a further two points to win by 3-10 to 1-7.

Sligo aim to stretch their perfect record in Group F to five games when they host Monaghan at Markievicz Park. Monaghan are currently tied for second place with Cavan and Louth, who also have away games against Leitrim and Longford in Ballinamore and Joristown Park respectively.

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