Round-up: Weekend's senior club championship action

Antrim

Defending Northern Switchgear Antrim SFC champions, Cargin, made it three wins from three in this year’s competition with a 1-21 to 2-13 win over Dunloy that saw them finish top of Group 1. Goalkeeper John McNabb produced a stellar kicking display that saw him finish with seven points including two two-pointers. Last year’s beaten finalists Portglenone, Creggan, and St. Brigid’s also made it three wins from three to top their respective groups and seal home advantage for the quarter-finals. That knock-out round will see Cargin play Aghgallon, Portglenone play St. Gall’s, St. Brigid’s play Dunloy, and Creggan play Rossa.

Armagh

14 points from Rian O’Neill helped Crossmaglen come from nine points behind to defeat Silverbridge by 1-21 to top Group C of the Cormac Leonard Commercials Armagh SFC for a place in the quarter-finals. Maghery finished top of Group A thanks to a 0-18 to 0-12 win over Culloville with Ben Crealey and Stefan Forker very much to the fore. Last year’s beaten finalists, Clan na Gael, were eliminated by a 1-14 to 1-12 defeat to Killeavey. Defending champions Clann Eireann topped Group D after their third win in a row saw them defeat Armagh Harps by 1-16 to 0-6. The quarter-final draw will be made after the refixed Group B match between Cullyhanna and Mullaghbawn.

Cavan

Reigning champions Crosserlough made it three wins from three in the Kyte Powertech Senior Championship when they defeated Killygarry by 2-18 to 2-10. Kingscourt are the only other team with a perfect record after three rounds thanks to a 2-22 to 1-15 win over Ballinagh. Last year’s runners up, Ramor United, are hot on their heels after comfortable 3-19 to 0-4 win over Laragh United puts them on five points after three matches with their goals scored by Antony Monaghan, Karl Farrelly, and Conor Bradley. The two table-toppers, Crosserlough and Kingscourt, will face off in the fourth round.

Clare

St Joseph’s Miltown claimed the last spot in the Clare SFC quarter-finals when defeating Doonbeg by 1-12 to 0-11 with Conor Cleary scoring the all-important goal.

Kildysart came with a late surge to beat Kilmihil in the relegation semi-final to save their status in the Clare SFC. A Gavin Downes goal had Kilmihill three points clear in injury-time but Kildysart refused to die. Luke McGrath kicked a free and a two-pointer to level the game up and then Diarmuid O’Donnell struck for a dramatic late winner.

Cork

Defending Cork Premier SHC champions, Imokilly, are through to the quarter-finals of this year’s championship after defeating Muskerry by 1-23 to 0-15 in the Cork Divisions/Colleges Premier SHC Final. Jack Leahy was their main man, scoring 1-8, 1-4 of which came from play. The goal came after 53 minutes and put the result beyond any doubt. County star, Diarmuid Healy, also impressed for the winners, scoring four points from play.

Derry

2023 champions Glen made a real statement with their 4-9 to 2-6 Derry SFC Round 2A victory over a Dungiven side that had themselves beaten defending champions Newbridge a fortnight earlier. A blast of 1-6 without reply in the first half laid the platform the victory, with the four goals they scored coming from Johnny McGuckian (2) Conleth McGuckian, and Ethan Doherty. Magherafelt, Slaughtneil, and Steelstown also progress directly to the quarter-finals after wins over Lavey, Bellaghy, and The Loup respectively. They’ll be joined there by the winners of Round 3 which is as follows:

Newbridge v The Loup

Faughanvale v Bellaghy

Banager v Dungiven

Kilrea v Lavey

Donegal

Setanta were crowned Donegal SHC champions after victory over St. Eunan’s. You can read the match report of the game HERE.

2023 champions Naomh Conaill moved into the top half of the Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure Donegal SFC table with a hard-fought 0-19 to 2-10 win over Downings They were reduced to 14-men in the first half when Jeaic McKelvey was red-carded, but still manged to forge into a 0-14 to 2-0 lead by the break. Johnny McGroddy did his best to inspire a Downings comeback in the second-half, but Naomh Conaill were able to hold out. After three rounds, last year’s finalists Dungloe and Gaoth Dobhair are the only two teams with a perfect record in what’s a very fiercely contested championship.

Down

A late Ballycran fightback saw them claim a share of the spoils against Carryduff in the Round 3 of the Morgan Fuels Down SHC. Two second-half goals proved crucial as Ballycran came back from a six-point half-time deficit to draw on a scoreline of 2-12 to 0-18. Portaferry and Ballygalget both made it three wins from three. Defending champions Portaferry, going for a three-in-a-row this year, proved much too strong for Bredagh as they powered to a 5-19 to 0-6 win. Ballygalget were even more impressive against Liatroim as they scored 4-12 in the first 20 minutes alone before eventually winning by 7-17 to 0-14.

Dublin

All-Ireland champions Na Fianna made it four wins from four in Group 1 of the Go Ahead Dublin Senior 1 Hurling Championship as they beat Craobh Chiaráin by 3-22 to 1-8. Goals from Shane Barret and AJ Murphy helped them into a 2-14 to 1-5 lead, and they coasted home from there. Lucan Sarsfields also have four wins from four in Group 1, with their latest a resounding 1-23 to 0-9 victory over Naomh Barróg. Kilmacud Crokes sit atop Group Two with four wins from four thanks to a convincing 1-29 to 1-7 victory over a depleted Whitehall Colmcilles. Dara Purcell’s 8^th minute goal set them on their way and the midfield performance of Brian Hayes was another highlight.

Fermanagh

Ederney staged a terrific comeback to claim a 1-14 to 0-17 draw with defending champions Erne Gaels in the first round of the Mannok Fermanagh Senior Football Championship. A strong wind meant it was a game of two halves with an Aogan Kelm goal helping the home team into a 1-11 to 0-3 half-time lead. But Ederney responded with 11 points in a row to make it a one-point game with 56 minutes remaining. In a dramatic finish Erne Gaels kept their noses in front with points by Seamus Ryder and Michael Óg McGarrigle, but Niall Maguire claimed a share of the spoils for Ederney with the final kick of the game. The other match in Group B saw Teemore beat Kinawley by 0-13 to 0-10, while in Group A Derrygonnelly defeated Lisnaskea by 3-11 to 2-8 and Belnaleck beat Enniskillen by 0-18 to 1-11.

Galway

With the group phase of the Bon Secours Hospital Galway SFC now complete, the four table toppers – Corofin, Salthill, Tuam Stars, and Maigh Cuilinn advance directly to the quarter-finals. They all came through the group phase undefeated, and now await the winners of preliminary quarter-finals.

Kerry

Na Gaeil beat Dingle in the championship for the first time in their history to qualify for their first Kerry SFC semi-final since they joined the senior ranks in 2022. They were inspired by the midfield partnership of Jack Barry and Diarmuid O’Connor as they dug out a hard-fought 1-15 to 0-17 victory over a Dingle team that was inspired by Kerry star Paul Geaney who kicked 12 of those 17 points. Rathmore came from four points down with 10 minutes to go to beat Austin Stacks by 2-12 to 1-13. A converted penalty by Ciaran Collins gave them some impetus when they needed it most, and then points by Kerry stars Paul Murphy and Shane Ryan sealed the win. Na Gaeil and Rathmore will now play one another in the semi-finals with the other semi-final contested by Dr. Crokes and Kenmare Shamrocks.

Leitrim

Reigning Champions, Mohill, are now in the relegation picture after a 0-19 to 0-14 defeat to Fenagh-St Caillins in the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC. A powerful final quarter from Fenagh saw Ryan O’Rourke, Fergal McLoughlin, and Riordan O’Rourke flash over points that consigned the champions to their second loss of the campaign. Melvin Gaels are almost certainly in the relegation final after their heavy 5-17 to 1-11 defeat to Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins.

Limerick

Na Piarsaigh booked their place in the White Box County SHC semi-finals with a game to spare thanks to a 2-23 to 1-14 win over Kilmallock. With Will O’Donoghue rampant in midfield, Na Piarsaigh totally dominated the second-half as they outscored Kilmallock by 1-14 to 1-2. Veteran Kevin Downes was a key figure in attack where he was well supported by Daithi Dempsey and Dylan Lynch. Another positive for the winners was the impact made by the fit-again Peter Casey from the bench. Meanwhile, defending champions Doon remain second in the table and also in pole position for a semi-final berth thanks to their 3-17 to 2-19 win over Ballybrown.

Longford

The eight quarter-finalists in the Longford SFC are now known. Killoe, Colmcille, Carricedmond and Dromard go forward from Group A, while Clonguish, Rathcline, Abbeylara, and Mullinalaghta go forward from Group B. There is just one group game left to play – the top of the table clash between Killoe and Colmcille – after which the quarter-final pairings will be set in stone. Longford Slashers, Fr Manning Gaels, St Mary’s, Granard, and Mostrim will play off against one another in the Longford SFC relegation rounds.

Louth

Dreadnots produced the result of Round 1 of the Anchor Tours Louth SFC when beating Division 1 champions St. Mochta’s by 1-14 to 0-15. The key score was a cracking goal by Jay Hughes who left his marker for dead before slamming the ball to the back of the net. St Fechins bounced back from their relegation to Division 2 by beating Geraldines by 0-14 to 2-6. Joe Corrigan and Aaron McGlew were their key men, hitting a combined tally of 10 points. Dundalk Gaels also got their campaign off to a very positive start by beating Roche Emmets on a scoreline of 2-13 to 0-9.

Mayo

The big two in the Mayo senior hurling championship both had very convincing wins over the weekend as champions Tooreen defeated Castlebar Mitchels by 0-24 to 0-10 and Ballyhaunis defeated St. Ciaran’s by 1-30 to 1-8.

Meath

Ballinabrackey earned a place in the knock-out stages of the Fairyhouse Steel Meath SFC for the first time in their 105 year history after a hugely impressive 1-16 to 1-8 win over Seneschalstown. A surge in seven minutes of first-half injury time saw the winners stretch a one-point lead to seven by the break, and there was no way back for Seneschasltown from there. Reigning champions Dunshaughlin looked set for elimination when they were beaten 0-15 to 0-14 by table-toppers Trim, but their bacon was saved when previously winless Meath Hill kicked a two-point winner in injury-time to beat Rathkenny who had only needed a draw to advance. The eight teams through to the quarter-finals are Trim, Dunshaughlin, Skryne, Summerhill, Ratoath, Ballinabrackey, Wolfe Tones, and Donaghmore/Ashbourne.

Monaghan

Castleblayney and Truagh will contest the Monaghan SHC Final after semi-final victories over Carrickmacross and Inniskeen respectively.

Castleblayney have been the dominant force in Monaghan hurling for quite some time, winning 21 of the last 26 county titles. They were much too strong for Carrickmacross, leading by 0-13 to 0-3 at half-time before going on to win by 1-20 to 0-6.

Truagh’s 1-12 to 0-12 win over 2023 champions, Inniskeen, was a great reward for the significant work they’ve put in to developing hurling in recent years. In a tight and tense game they led by three points at half-time and just about kept Inniskeen at arm’s length in the second-half.

Offaly

A Tullamore team gunning for a third Tullamore Court Hotel Offaly SFC title in a row looked very impressive when beating Shamrocks by 2-16 to 0-8 in Group 2, Round 2 on Saturday. Man of the match, John Furlong, Harry Plunkett, and Mike Fox all excelled in what was a real statement victory by the champions that guarantees them top spot in the Group and a semi-final place. Despite the defeat Shamrocks are assured of a place in the quarter-finals as are Bracknagh.

In Group 1, Edenderry have one foot in the semi-finals after drawing 0-13 apiece with Ferbane. A draw in their final game against Ballycommon would suffice to secure that semi-final berth. Ferbane and Rhode are guaranteed at least a place in the quarter-finals.

Roscommon

Michael Glaveys blew the Roscommon SFC wide open by beating reigning champions St. Brigid’s by 1-13 to 0-11 on Friday evening. St. Brigid’s will now play a seeded team in the quarter-finals. The four seeded teams are Roscommon Gaels, Clann na nGael, Michael Glaveys, and Boyle. Elphin will play North Roscommon and Pádraig Pearses will play Oran in the Preliminary Quarter-Finals, while Castlerea St. Kevin’s will play Western Gaels in the Relegation Play-Offs. The winner of that match will secure senior status with the loser playing St. Dominic’s to see who is relegated to the 2026 Intermediate Football Championship.

Sligo

Drumcliffe Rosses Point clinched top spot in Group 2 of the Sligo Homeland SFC and the semi-final place that goes with it thanks to a comprehensive 2-17 to 0-13 win over Tourlestrane. A blistering start saw them lead by 2-12 to no score after 20 minutes, and they had the luxury of taking their foot off the gas thereafter. Defending champions Coolera Strandhill produced their best performance of the campaign yet when beating Eastern Harps by 3-23 to 1-12. There were also wins over the weekend by Curry over Easkey, and St. Molaise Gaels over Tubbercurry.

Tipperary

Reigning FBD Insurance Tipperary SFC champions, Loughmore-Castleiney, are pretty much guaranteed their place in the quarter-finals after a 3-9 to 0-13 victory over neigh bours JK Brackens in Group 3. The Templemore club led by 0-10 to 1-3 at half-time after playing with the benefit of a strong wind, but Loughmore-Castleiney took charge in the second-half. Goals from Philip O’Connell and Liam Treacy proved decisive as they won relatively comfortably in the end. Moyle Rovers also made it two wins from two in Group 3 as they defeated Arravale Rovers by 1-16 to 1-11. Kilsheelan-Kilcash top Group 1 with two wins from two while Clonmel Commercials are top of Group 2, also with two wins from two.

Waterford

Ballygunner and Mount Sion will contest the Waterford SHC Final after semi-final wins over De La Salle and Roanmore respectively. Two late goals by Dessie Hutchinson got 14-man Ballygunner out of a sticky situation against De La Salle. They lost Patrick Fitzgerald to two yellow cards in first-half injury time and trailed by five points on 44 minutes. But the introduction of Pauric Mahony changed the game as he scored five second-half points and assisted both of Hutchinson’s goals in their 2-16 to 1-13 win.

De La Salle struck late to clinch their 1-15 to 0-17 win over Roanmore. Austin Gleeson scored a spectacular equaliser on 62 minutes and then in the fourth minute of extra-time Adam Regan struck the winner.

Westmeath

The top three teams in the Slevins Coaches Westmeath Senior A Hurling Championship solidified their standing in the table over the weekend. Reigning champions Castletown Geoghegan made it four wins from by thanks to a comfortable 2-24 to 0-15 victory over Fr. Daltons. Second-placed Lough Lene Gaels made it three wins from four games with a very hard-fought 0-20 to 1-16 victory over Clonkilll. Raharney are also on six points after four matches after they beat Castlepollard by 2-14 to 0-11.

Wicklow

Arklow Geraldines Ballymoney, Baltinglass, Carnew Emmets, and Tinahely are through to the semi-finals of the Boom and Platform Hire Wicklow SFC after quarter-final victories.

The match of the round was Baltinglass’s victory over Kiltegan which went to extra-time and penalties. Wicklow goalkeeper, Mark Jackson, was the main man for the winners. He scored four points, made a brilliant save in normal time, saved a penalty in the shoot-out and then kicked the winning penalty himself.