Round-up: Weekend's senior club championship action

Antrim

Cargin and Dunloy will contest the Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC Final. Defending champions, Cargin, needed extra-time and penalties before finally getting the better of Creggan in their semi-final. Cargin’s ability to score goals at crucial times was vital as Paul McCann, Conhuir Johnston and Tom Shivers all hit the back of the net while Creggan didn’t raise a single green flag. A game that see-sawed this way and that was brought to penalties when Cargin’s Tomás McCann hit a late extra-time point to leave the score reading 3-14 to 0-23, and his team held their nerve in the shoot-out to win 4-3.

Dunloy reached their second Antrim SFC final in three years thanks to a 0-18 to 1-10 win over Portglenone. Dual stars Keelan Molloy and Seaan Eliott were very much to the fore, kicking 0-15 between one another.

Armagh

Middletown Na Fianna and Keady Lamh Dhearg will contest the Armagh SHC Final for the fifth successive time as both recorded semi-final victories on Saturday. A Middletown team gunning for a seventh county title in a row enjoyed a comfortable 5-25 to 1-17 win over Craobh Rua. Keady also impressed when defeating Derrynoose by 3-26 to 0-10.

Carlow

Old Leighlin and Bagenalstown Gaels are through to the semi-finals of the Michael Lyng Motors Hyundai Carlow SFC after comfortable victories over Fenagh and Mount Leinster Rangers. Old Leighlin blitzed last year’s Intermediate champions, Fenagh, as goals from James Dowling and Cathal Coughlan helped them into a 2-15 to 0-1 half-time lead with the game already done and dusted. Cian Doyle scored nine points for Bagenalstown Gaels as they defeated MLR by 2-18 to 2-9. They too did much of the damage in the first half as Oisin Dillon scored two early goals to set them on their way. Bagenalstown will now face Rathvilly in the semi-finals while Old Leighlin will play Palatine.

Cavan

Gowna and Kingscourt will contest the Kyte Powertech Cavan SFC Final after semi-final victories over Crosserlough and Ramor United respectively. Gowna limited defending champions Crosserlough to just three scores in the second-half of their match which they won on a scoreline of 2-16 to 2-11. Crosserlough got a fast start, racing into a 2-2 to 0-1 lead after just 11 minutes, but Gowna struck back quickly with first-half goals from Conor Casey and Daire Madden. Trailing by a point at half-time, the Longford border club dominated the second-half.

Kingscourt Stars finished strongly to edge out last year’s beaten finalists, Ramor United, on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-17. A converted 45 by goalkeeper Liam Brady looked to have won it for Ramor United, but then Joe Dillon and Padraig Faulkner kicked injury-time points to seal a deserved win for the Stars.

Clare

St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Éire Óg Ennis will contest the TUS Clare SFC Final after semi-final victories over Cratloe and Lissycasey respectively. Reigning champions Éire Óg are going for a fourth title in five years and were comfortable 2-10 to 0-9 victors over Lissycasey with goals by Colm Walsh O’Loghlen and Manus Doherty proving decisive. They’ll go into the final as warm favourites but St. Joseph’s Doora/Barefield proved they’ll be no pushovers by beating 2023 champions Cratloe on a scoreline of 3-11 to 1-14. The lead changed hands four times in the second half before a scoring purple-patch of 1-3 swung the advantage the way of the underdogs with the goal coming from Tom Curran.

Cork

Nemo Rangers will play Newcestown and St. Finbarr’s will play Ballincollig in the Cork Premier SFC semi-finals. St. Finbarr’s produced the performance of the quarter-finals as they demolished reigning champions Castlehaven by 6-11 to 0-19. Steven Sherlock scored three of those six goals, with Ian Maguire, William Buckley, and Conor Dennehy bagging the others. Newcestown required penalties to eventually get the better of Carragaline after the teams were deadlocked on 18 points apiece after extra-time. They brought on substitute goalkeeper, Chris White, for the shoot-out and it paid off as he saved two penalties. Three late points from their subs bench helped Ballincollig to a 1-15 to 2-11 victory over Duhallow. Nemo Rangers had already qualified directly for the semi-finals.

Derry

Glen will play Magherafelt and Newbridge will play Slaughtneil in the O’Neill’s Derry SFC semi-finals. Reigning champions Newbridge were pushed all the way in their quarter-final by Steelstown before coming out on top by 0-18 to 1-12. The sides were level four times in the final quarter before points from Eamon Young pushed the holders clear. Magherafelt produced the performance of the round when beating Bellaghy by 2-21 to 1-12 with their goals scored by Conall Higgins and Shane Heavron (penalty). Goals by Shea Cassidy, Shane Mcguigan and Cathal Ó Mianáin helped Slaughtneil to an entertaining 3-13 to 1-15 win over Lavey. Glen enjoyed a comfortable 2-19 to 1-10 win over Banagher with their goals scored by Eunan Mulholland and Ethan Doherty.

Donegal

Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair will contest the Michael Murphy Sports & Leisure Donegal SFC Final after semi-final victories over the weekend. On Saturday, Gaoth Dobhair played a very clinical brand of football as they defeated St. Michael’s by 1-16 to 0-13. A goal by Domhnall Mac Giolla Bríde in first-half injury time mean Gaoth Dobhair went in at the break level despite playing against the wind. They took control of the game in the second half with players like Eoin De Burca, Ethan Karkin, Odhran Mac Niallais and Niall Friel all notching points.

On Sunday, Naomh Conaill dug deep to eventually get the better of Four Masters after extra-time on a scoreline of 1-19 to 0-18. Kevin McGettigan scored their all-important goal in extra-time. It gave them a winning momentum as they then reeled off the next four points to see off a young Four Masters side.

Down

Victories for Bredagh over Carryduff (1-24 to 0-17) and Ballycran over Liatroim (2-15 to 1-17) secured their place in the Morgan Fuels Down SFC semi-finals. The semi-final line-up will see defending champions Portaferry play Bredagh and Ballygalget play Ballycran. Liatroim have been relegated to the Intermediate grade for 2026 along with Carryduff. Reigning champions Portaferry topped the group with a 1-19 to 1-14 win over Ballygalget and remain warm favourites to complete a historic four-in-a-row for the club.

Dublin

Reigning Dubin, Leinster, and All-Ireland champions Na Fianna will play Kilmacud Crokes in Go Ahead Dublin SHC semi-finals with Lucan Sarsfields playing Ballyboden St. Enda’s in the other semi-final. Na Fianna had to dig really deep to make it to the final four requiring extra-time to beat Cuala by 2-37 to 2-34. Goals from Donal Burke and Sean Currie helped Na Fianna into a four point half-time lead but a second-half goal by Conall O’Toole helped Cuala bring the game to extra-time. Na Fianna showed their experience in the additional minutes with Colin Currie’s accurate free-taking steering them to victory.

Another tough game now beckons against a Kilmacud Crokes team that really impressed when beating Naomh Barróg by 3-27 to 0-18 with the goals scored by Brian Hayes, Brendan Kenny, and Michael Roche. Ballyboden St. Enda’s required extra-time before eventually seeing off St. Vincent’s on a scoreline of 1-31 to 2-27. Niall McMorrow was their main man, finishing with six points to his name. Goals from Paul Crummey and David Mulqueen helped Lucan Sarsfields to a 2-22 to 1-16 victory over St. Brigid’s.

Fermanagh

Ederney will play Belleek and Derrygonnelly will play Teemore in the Mannok Fermanagh SFC semi-finals. Ederney and Derrygonnelly were already through to the last four as group winners while Belleek and Teemore earned their passage at the weekend with quarter-final victories. Eoin McManus landed two extra-time points including a last gasp 45 to steer Teemore to a 1-14 to 1-13 win over Belnaleck. Belleek had things a bit easier in their quarter-final as they defeated Lisnaskea by 1-21 to 2-10. Dan McCann’s goal helped them into an early 1-3 to 0-1 lead and even the concession of two first-half goals never really threatened to derail Declan Bonner’s team.

Galway

Corofin will play Salthill/Knocknacarra and Maigh Cuilinn will play Tuam Stars in the semi-finals of the Galway SFC. Corofin, chasing a third Galway title in a row, enjoyed a comfortable 2-20 to 0-10 quarter-final victory over Dunmore McHales with their goals scored by Ian Burke and Darragh Silke. Salthill also made a statement of intent in their quarter-final, beating city rivals St. James’ by 5-15 to 0-16. They led by just four points at half-time but finished the game very strongly by scoring 3-5 without reply. Goals from Fiachra MacDonnacha and Niall Walsh help Maigh Cuilinn to a 2-19 to 2-12 victory over neighbours Oughterard while a haul of 1-5 from Jamie Murphy was key to Tuam Stars’ 1-21 to 0-17 extra-time victory over Killannin.

Kerry

A well-taken goal by Kerry county star Jason Foley two minutes from time helped North Kerry to a 3-16 to 2-16 victory over St. Kieran’s in their Round 2 Preliminary Round clash at Fitzgerald Stadium. It was an intervention that North Kerry didn’t look they’d require at half-time when they led by 1-12 to 0-4 but St. Kieran’s produced a stirring second-half comeback that ensured the game went down to the wire.

South Kerry required extra-time to eventually see off the stubborn challenge of St. Brendan’s on a scoreline of 4-20 to 1-26 as they also progressed to Round 3. A goal by Chris Farley in the second period of extra-time ultimately proved to be the decisive score.

Kildare

Naas and Maynooth will contest the UPMC Kildare SHC Final for the second year in succession after winning their respective semi-finals on Saturday. Naas, seeking for a seventh championship in a row, proved much too strong for Coill Dubh, winning by 5-18 to 0-7. Jack Sheridan and Fionn Maher bagged a brace of goals each with Simon Leacy also hitting the back of the net. Maynooth were convincing 2-26 to 2-16 winners over Éire Óg Corra Choill with the goals scored by Tadhg Forde and Cian Forde.

Kilkenny

Ballyhale Shamrocks hurled up a storm to dethrone reigning champions Thomastown on a scoreline of 1-22 to 0-16 in the St. Canice’s Credit Union Kilkenny SHC quarter-finals. Niall Shortall scored the all-important goal for the winners while there were also impressive performances by Brian Cody, Eoin Cody, and TJ Reid. O’Loughlin Gaels were pushed to the pin of their collar by Clara before eventually coming out on top by 3-20 to 3-17 with their goals coming from Conor Kelly, Owen Wall, and Fionan Mackessy. Goals by Liam Moore and Shane Stapleton helped Dicksboro to a 2-24 to 2-18 victory over Glenmore while a Mick Malone goal proved crucial for Mullinavat in their 2-22 to 3-16 win over Bennettsbridge.

Laois

Courtwood qualified for their first ever Laois SFC Final after a dramatic 1-15 to 2-11 victory over St. Joseph’s. Substitute Dylan Keane as the hero as his late two-pointer sealed the win but goalkeeper Matthew Byrne deserves praise too for his haul of eight points from placed balls, three of them two-pointers. Courtwood will now play a Portarlington team in the final who are seeking their fifth title in six seasons. They were comfortable 1-15 to 0-6 semi-final victors over Graiguecullen with Colm Murphy’s early goal setting them on their way.

Leitrim

Melvin Gaels snatched an injury-time equaliser in the Leitrim Connacht Gold SFC relegation play-off against St. Mary’s, Kiltoghert to bring the game to a replay which will be played on Saturday, Oct 11. Melvin Gaels led by 0-10 to 0-7 at half-time but St. Mary’s equalised with a goal early in the second half and it was nip and tuck from there to the final whistle.

Longford

Colmcille and Killoe will contest the Longford SFC Final after semi-final victories over Clonguish and Rathcline respectively. Colmcille went into their semi-final against Clonguish as underdogs but impressed in a 2-11 to 1-10 victory with the goals scored by Cathal McCabe and Eoin Hawkins. Killoe were 2-19 to 0-14 victors over Rathcline as they eventually got motoring after a slow start. A Paddy Moran goal helped them to a 1-7 to 0-7 half-time lead and then at the start of the second-half they scored a quick-fire blast of 1-3 with the goal netted by Eamon Keogh.

Louth

Newtown Blues produced a top-class display to dethrone three-in-a-row Louth SFC champions Ardee St. Mary’s and book their place in the semi-finals. After a tight first half Newtown Blues kicked clear when they outscored St. Mary’s by 1-6 to 0-3 in a 15 minute period in the second-half as they went on to win by 2-17 to 1-14 with their goals scored by Conor Moore and Fergal Donohue. Dreadnots had a comfortable 2-16 to 0-9 win over Cooley Kickhams with first-half goals from Donnacha Skinnader and Craig Shevlin giving them an irresistible momentum. A late Danny O’Connor two-pointer earned St. Patrick’s a 1-16 apiece draw with Naomh Mairtin, forcing a replay for this Saturday. Dundalk will play St. Fechins in the remaining quarter-final this evening.

Meath

Summerhill and Ratoath will contest the Fairyhouse Steel Meath SFC Final. Summerhill dethroned reigning champions Dunshaughlin after extra-time on a scoreline of 0-19 to 0-18. Eoghan Frayne was their hero as his last-gasp leveller forced extra-time and then he kicked a brace of two-pointers in extra-time.

A powerful final quarter surge by Ratoath helped them to a 0-22 to 0-11 win over Skryne. They led by just a point with 14 minutes to go but outscored Skryne by 0-11 to 0-1 from there to the final whistle with players like county stars Jack Flynn and Daithi McGowan to the fore.

Offaly

Rhode and Ferbane made it through to the final four of the Tullamore Court Hotel Offaly SFC after wins over Bracknagh and Shamrocks respectively. Rhode had looked in trouble when trailing by 0-9 to 0-6 at half-time but second-half goals from brothers Ross (2) and Aaron Kellaghan powered them to a 3-15 to 0-16 victory. Ferbane’s comeback was even more impressive. They trailed by six points 12 minutes into the second-half but outscored their opponents by 1-6 to 0-2 thereafter to win by 3-15 to 2-17. Rhode will play champions Tullamore while Ferbane will play Edenderry in the semi-finals.

Roscommon

Four Roads defeated Oran in the Roscommon SHC Final. You can read the match report HERE.

Tipperary

Loughmore-Castleiney will play Holycross-Ballycahill and Drom & Inch will play Nenagh Éire Óg in the FBD Insurance Tipperary SHC semi-finals. In what was a repeat of last year’s final, reigning champions Loughmore-Castleiney were 3-22 to 2-20 quarter-final victors over Toomevara with goals from Ed Connolly, Tomás McGrath, and John McGrath in the opening 18 minutes ultimately proving decisive. Holycross-Ballycahill are through to the last four for the first time since 1999 thanks to a 4-23 to 2-17 win over Cashel King Cormac with three first-half goals laying the platform for their victory. Mikey Heffernan and Jake Morris were to the fore for Nenagh Éire Óg as they defeated Kilruane McDonaghs by 1-24 to 2-15 while substitute Tommy Heffernan also made a big impact. There’s no doubting the most dramatic game of the round though – Drom & Inch’s 2-23 to 1-28 extra-time victory over Moycarkey-Borris. Seamus Callanan proved he remains a hurler of the very highest calibre as he scored 2-11 with both of his goals absolute peaches.

Tyrone

Errigal Ciaran will play Trillick and Loughmacrory will lay Carrickmore in the Moy Tyrone SFC semi-finals. Defending champions Errigal Ciaran were pushed to the pin of their collar in their 2-12 to 0-15 quarter-final win over Omagh. In the end they needed a goal from teenager Shea McDermott in injury-time to finally put the seal on their victory. Their semi-final opponents, Trillick, also came through a searching test of their credentials before beating Pomeroy by 1-13 to 1-11. The decisive score came four minutes from the end when Trillick sub Nathan Farry hammered in a goal.

Loughmacrory played some great football to defeat Donaghmore by 1-17 to 2-10 with forwards like Eoin McElholm, Pauric Meenagh, and Ruairi McCullagh all very sharp in attack. Darren McCurry was the main man for Carrickmore in their 2-17 to 0-18 win over Edendork, scoring 12 points.

Waterford

After the completion of the group phase of the JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC, Rathgormack and The Nire progress straight through to the semi-finals after topping their respective groups. Reigning champions, Rathgormack, have been the form team of this year’s championship again and secured their place in the last four courtesy of a convincing 2-17 to 0-10 victory over Kilrossanty to make it three wins from three. The Nire defeated Roanmore by 0-15 to 1-4, a result that saw them stay above Abbeyside-Ballinacourty in the table on scoring difference by just a single point. Abbeyside-Ballinacourty will now place An Rinn in the quarter-finals while Gaultier will play Clashmore/Kinsalebeg.

Westmeath

Brian Guerin was the hero for Mullingar Shamrocks as they booked their place in the semi-finals of the Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath senior football championship. He netted a last-minute goal to help the Shamrocks to a 2-16 to 1-17 win over Garrycastle. Coralstown-Kinnegad are also through to the semi-finals after a 1-17 to 0-15 win over Caulry.

Wexford

St. Martin’s will play Fern’s St. Aidan’s and Naomh Éanna will take on Rathnure in the semi-finals of the Pettitt’s Wexford SHC. Reigning champions St. Martin’s looked good when beating Oulart The Ballagh by 4-18 to 1-10 in their quarter-final. Jack O’Connor was their main man, hitting a five-minute hat-trick that crushed the Oulart challenge. Rathnure showed they’re genuine contenders by blitzing Glynn-Barntown on a scoreline of 4-24 to 1-13. Rory Higgins and substitute Shane Lawlor caught the eye with a combined total of 3-6 from play, but with nine players on the score-sheet this was very much a complete team performance by Rathnure. In the weekend’s two other quarter-finals Naomh Eanna beat St. Annes by 2-17 to 0-21 and Ferns St. Aidan’s beat Faythe Harriers by 1-19 to 0-14.