Round-up: Weekend's senior club championship action

Antrim

Corner-back Ryan McNulty was the unlikely hero for St. John’s as he struck the winning point in their 2-15 to 0-20 Bathshack Antrim SHC quarter-final victory over Rossa deep in injury-time. A few minutes before that substitute Michael Bradley had drawn St. John’s level with a goal, so it was a very dramatic end to a match that Rossa had looked the more likely to win with normal time almost up. The Whiterock Road men now progress to a semi-final clash with reigning champions Cushendall.

The weekend’s other semi-final was a more one-sided affair as Loughiel beat Ballycastle by 1-20 to 0-11. Loughiel led by two points at half-time and then a scoring burst of 1-5 in a five-minute spell in the second-half settled the game with the goal scored by Roan McGarry. Loughiel now go on to meet Dunloy in the semi-finals.

Armagh

Clann Eireann had to dig deep to see off the determined challenge of Killeavy in the Cormac Leonard Commercials Armagh SFC quarter-finals. The reigning champions looked set for a comfortable victory when they led by 0-11 to 0-4 at half-time, but Stevie McDonnell’s Killeavy team produced a doughty second-half comeback. In the end Clann Eireann were thankful for the accuracy of county star Conor Turbitt who finished with a personal tally of 12 points.

Goals from Aaron O’Neill and Darron McDonnell proved crucial for Crossmaglen Rangers as they won their quarter-final against Carrickcruppen on a scoreline of 2-20 to 1-17.

Madden scored six of the last seven scores of a hard-fought match to edge out Maghery by 0-16 to 1-12 while Cullyhanna’s eye for a goal saw them get the better of St. Peter’s on a scoreline of 3-17 to 0-19. The semi-final line-up will see Cullyhanna play Crosmaglen and Clann Eireann play Maghery.

Carlow

Mount Leinster Rangers produced a big shock in the Michael Lyng Motors Carlow SFC when beating Éire Óg by 2-7 to 1-8. County hurling star, Chris Nolan, proved he’s a deadly finisher in the big ball code too as he scored two decisive second-half goals. MLR now advance to the county quarter-finals where they will face Bagenalstown Gaels, while Éire Óg are resigned to a relegation final. Old Leighlin will play Fenagh in the other quarter-final while Rathvilly and Palatine progress directly to the semi-finals after winning their respective groups.

Clare

Clooney-Quin and Éire Óg will contest the Clare SHC Final after semi-final victories over Ballyea and Kilmaley respectively. Tony Kelly did his best to inspire Ballyea, scoring 1-14, but it wasn’t enough to prevent his team falling to a 4-15 to 2-19 defeat. There was little between the teams for most of the contest but then Clooney-Quin struck for home when Peter Duggan landed a brace of points and then Jerry O’Connor struck their fourth goal of the match. An injury-time Kelly penalty brought Ballyea back into it, but Clooney-Quin held on.

Éire Óg struck the last three points of the match to edge out Kilmaley by 1-14 to 1-12 in the other semi-final. A Conor Cleary goal had edged Kilmaley ahead going into the final 10 minutes, but three converted frees by Danny Russell gave the Ennis club a late winning impetus.

Cork

St. Finbarr’s played some fantastic hurling to dethrone reigning champions Imokilly in the Co-op Super-Stores Cork Premier SHC quarter-final on a scoreline of 3-16 to 1-12. Brian Hayes started his first match of the campaign and was a pivotal figure at full-forward, scoring 1-1 and causing serious consternation in the Imokilly defence whenever the ball came his way. His goal came in first-half stoppage time and was a real turning point in the match. He then turned provider, setting up Jack Cahalane for their team’s second goal with the third from John Wigginton-Barrett then killing the contest.

Last year’s beaten finalists Sarsfields are also through to the semi-finals after their 0-22 to 1-15 win over Charleville. The in-form Jack O’Connor was their main man, scoring five points from play.

Derry

Richie Mullan starred for Kevin Lynches in their 3-21 to 1-13 Leadon Timber Frame Derry SHC semi-final victory over Ballinascreen. He finished with a personal tally of 1-7 and the goal was brilliant finish that swung the game decisively in his team’s favour. The contest had been tight enough until the final ten minutes of the game when Davy McCloskey’s team fired a quick-fire salvo of 3-3 that buried the Ballinascreen challenge. Kevin Lynches now progress to the county final where they will face a Slaughtneil team bidding for a 13^th title in a row.

Donegal

Naomh Conaill pulled off a daring smash and grab raid to defeat Termon by 2-12 to 2-11 in the Michael Murphy Sports and Leisure Donegal SFC quarter-final. Trailing by three points deep into injury-time, they drew level when teenager Max Campbell struck for a goal and then found a dramatic winner when Finbarr Roarty got forward to kick a point.

Seanán and Turlough Carr were the main men in attack for Four Masters as they came with an impressive late charge to defeat Dungloe by 0-20 to 0-10. Gaoth Dobhair also finished strongly as they defeated Kilcar by 0-16 to 1-10. A late Patrick McBrearty goal briefly gave Kilcar some hope, but then Michael Roarty sealed the win with a booming two-pointer.

Michael Langan was the main man for St. Michael’s as they defeated Sean Mac Cumhaill by 0-26 to 0-15. The county midfielder scored 10 points and was ably assisted by young team-mate Carlos O’Reilly who landed five.

The semi-final line-up sees St. Michael’s play Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill play Four Masters.

Down

A Kilcoo team chasing a seventh title in a row had to dig deep to beat Loughinisland by 1-23 to 2-18 in the Morgan Fuels Down SFC quarter-finals. The game turned in the second-half with the introduction from the bench of Jerome Johnston and Aaron Branagan who gave their team some much needed poise and experience at both ends of the pitch.

Goals from Eamon Brown (2) and Conor Og O’Hagan proved key for Clonduff in their 3-8 to 0-10 quarter-final victory. In the weekend’s third quarter-final, Carryduff were convincing 3-16 to 1-10 winners over Ballyholland. The remaining quarter-final between Burren and Glenn will be played tonight.

Dublin

The line up for the Go-Ahead Ireland Dublin SFC semi-finals will see reigning All-Ireland champions Cuala play Ballyboden St. Enda’s and Kilmacud Crokes play Na Fianna. It was Na Fianna who enjoyed the most dramatic quarter-final victory, as they came from 11 points down to beat Ballymun Kickhams by 1-18 to 1-17. Clare native Keelan Sexton was their super-sub, coming off the bench to score 1-4.

Con O’Callaghan scored 1-8 for Cuala as they enjoyed a comfortable 4-20 to 0-12 quarter-final win over Clontarf. Kilmacud Crokes were also very dominant as four two-pointers from Shane Walsh helped them to a 1-21 to 0-5 victory over Lucan Sarsfields.

Ballyboden St. Enda’s produced a strong second-half performance to defeat Castleknock by 0-11 to 1-5. Corner-forward Daire Sweeney was their main man, scoring eight points.

Fermanagh

Ederney and Derrygonnelly are directly through to the Mannok Fermanagh SFC semi-finals after topping their respective groups. Derrygonnelly were already assured of that fate but still finished the group phase on a high by beating Enniskillen by 0-14 to 0-9 thanks in no small part to a six-point haul by Conall Rasdale.

Ederney sealed top spot in Group B thanks to a very convincing 4-20 to 2-5 victory over Kinawley. Sean Cassidy was their main man, scoring a hat-trick of goals. The quarter-final line-up will see Belnaleck play Teemore and Belleek play Lisnaskea.

Galway

Loughrea got the defence of their Galway SHC title back on track with a convincing 4-15 to 0-13 preliminary quarter-final victory over Moycullen. Darren Shaughnessy struck for a brace of goals with Vince Morgan and Martin McManus getting the other two. The reigning champions will now meet Clarinbridge in the last eight. The other quarter-finals will see Oranmore/Maree play Turloughmore, Tommie Larkins play St. Thomas’ and Sarsfields play Craughwell.

Kerry

David Clifford showed his class again by scoring 1-5 for East Kerry in their 2-18 to 1-10 win over St. Kieran’s in the preliminary round of the Kerry SFC. Five unanswered points late in the game helped West Kerry to a hard-fought 1-17 to 1-15 win over South Kerry, their first win in the competition since 2019.

Mid Kerry showed that they could be a real force in this year’s championship when comfortably beating St. Brendan’s by 2-18 to 0-10 with 11 different players getting on the score-sheet.

Kildare

Five-in-a-row chasing Naas are through to another Kildare SFC semi-final after an impressive 1-22 to 0-13 win over Clane. Alex Beirne was the scorer in chief for the winners, landing nine points. The champions will now play Celbridge who were convincing 3-19 to 1-16 winners over Moorefield with Dean O’Donoghue bagging a hat-trick of goals. Goals from Kevin Feely (penalty), Colm Moran and Conor Doyle helped Athy to a 3-7 to 0-10 win over Caragh. They’ll now play Sarsfields in the semi-final, after the Newbridge side registered a 2-21 to 2-17 comeback win over Johnstownbridge.

Laois

Goals proved crucial for Camross as they edged out Borris-Kilcotton on a scoreline of 3-14 to 0-22 in the Laois SHC quarter-final. The 2023 champions have been joined in the final four by surprise packets, Ballinakill, who beat Rosenallis on a scoreline of 0-22 to 0-19. The final four is completed by already qualified Clough-Ballacolla and Rathdowney-Errill.

Leitrim

The draw for the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC semi-finals has pitted Ballinamore against Fenagh St. Caillins and defending champions Mohill against Leitrim Gaels.

Ballinamore will bring a lot of momentum into their game against Fenagh after destroying another neighbouring club, Aughawillan, by 8-16 to 1-6 in the quarter-finals. Mohill proved that still have plenty in the tank by beating a talented young Glencar-Manorhamilton team by 1-16 to 0-11. Keith Beirne was once again their main man, scoring 1-10.

Limerick

A burst of five second-half points in a row helped Ballybrown to a hard-fought 0-20 to 2-10 victory over Adare in the Whitebox Limerick SHC quarter-finals. After John Fitzgibbon briefly gave Adare the lead with a goal, Bryan Griffin, Colin Coughlan, Ross Griffin, and Aidan O’Connor (2) fired back with points that settled the Ballybrown ship and put them on course for victory. Ballybrown will now play reigning champions Doon in the semi-finals, a team they only lost to by a single point in the group phase.

Kilmallock are also through to the county semi-finals after a dramatic 2-27 to 0-30 extra-tie win over Monaleen. County star Shane O’Brien was their star man, scoring a personal total of 2-12. His second goal in the second half of extra-time was the game’s decisive score.

Mayo

Westport produced a stunning comeback to beat Breaffy by 2-16 to 1-16 and advance to the Mayo SFC semi-finals. Breaffy led by 1-14 to 1-5 early in the second-half but two-pointers from Conal Dawson, Finbar McLaughlin, and Colm Moran helped bring Westport level before Moran struck for a late winning goal. Two goals from Darren McHalke and one from Conor Flynn helped Knockmore to a 3-9 to 0-6 victory over Ballintubber. Crossmolina played some outstanding attacking football as Kobe McDonald, Jordan Flynn, and Conor Loftus inspired them to a 1-24 to 0-12 win over Belmullet. Three-in-a-row chasing Ballina are also through to the semi-finals as they beat Ballaghaderreen by 1-14 to 2-7. The semi-final line-up will see Crossmolina play Westport and Ballina play Knockmore.

Meath

The semi-finals of the Ted Murtagh Trim Clothing & Footwear Meath SHC are set in stone after the weekend’s quarter-final action. Reigning champions Ratoath will play Trim in what’s a repeat of last year’s final, while Kilmessan will play Kiltale. Trim were 1-21 to 2-16 victors quarter-final victors over Kildalkey in a match that nearly got away from them. Some heavy scoring either side of half-time put them in a commanding position, but two Kildalkey goals meant they were holding on nervously in the end. In the other quarter-final Kiltale were convincing 4-26 to 0-13 victors over Na Fianna. Jack Regan was outstanding for Kiltale, finishing with a personal tally of 3-13.

Monaghan

Castleblayney won their eight Monaghan SHC title in nine years when beating Truagh by 1-19 to 2-8. A strong start saw the defending champions score 10 points in the first 20 minutes, but Truagh finished the half strongly with a goal by Conor McKenna reducing the half-time deficit to just two points, 0-11 to 1-6. Castleblayney resumed control of the contest in the second-half and a late goal by Hugh Byrne saw them finish with a flourish.

Offaly

The draw for the Molloy Environmental Systems Offaly SHC semi-finals has pitted reigning champions Kilcormac/Killoughey against Birr and Shinrone against Belmont. Kilcormac/Killoughey are warm favourites to make it three titles in arow after their impressive 2-29 to 3-17 quarter-final win over Ballinamere. Second-half goals from Conor Mahon and Charlie Mitchell proved decisive while an eight-point haul from Adam Screeney was also telling.

In the weekend’s other quarter-final, Shinrone produced a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Coolderry by 1-25 to 2-19. They trailed by 2-13 to 0-9 at half-time but came storming back in the second-half. Goalkeeeper Eamon Cleary chipped in with six pointed frees while others like Killian Sampson, DJ McLoughlin, and Luke Watkins were also to the fore.

Roscommon

Defending champions, Pádraig Pearses, recovered from a seven-point deficit against Boyle to bring their Roscommon SFC quarter-final to extra-time and eventually win by 1-23 to 1-18. Hubert Darcy’s goal in extra-time put the gloss on a brilliant comeback. Pearses will play St. Faithleach’s in the semi-final after the Ballyleague team defeated Michael Glavey’s by 1-20 to 1-18. Trailing by five points early in the second-half, St. Faithleach’s finished strongly to take the spoils.

Clan na nGael will play St. Brigid’s in the other semi-final. They proved too strong for Elphin in their quarter-final, running out 0-16 to 1-8 winners

Sligo

Shamrock Gaels have qualified for their first Sligo SFC Final in 31 years after beating St. Mary’s by 2-15 to 1-14. A Shane Deignan goal helped the Gaels into a comfortable 1-12 to 0-5 half-time lead before St. Mary’s mounted a spirited second-half comeback. A second goal for the Gaels by James Foley ultimately proved decisive. In the other semi-final, reigning champions Coolera Strandhill overcame Drumcliffe/Rosses Point by 3-15 to 1-13. Niall Murphy was their star-turn, banging in a hat-trick of goals.

Tipperary

Drom & Inch produced a brilliant comeback to recover from eight points down in the final quarter to beat Clonoulty Rossmore by 4-21 to 3-23 in the FBD Insurance Tipperary SHC Preliminary Quarter-Finals. Two goals from David Collins and one from substitute Paudie Kinnane saw them pull the game out of the fire in spectacular fashion.

Kilruane-MacDonaghs defeated a fancied Kiladangan by 3-19 to 3-15. Veteran Niall O’Meara made the result safe late on when he coolly converted a penalty.

Last year’s beaten finalists, Toomevara, are also through to the quarter-finals after a 0-18 to 0-15 win over JK Brackens. The Templemore club had a late chance to bring the game to extra-time when they won a penalty, but Shane Doyle’s strike thudded off the post.

Waterford

Rathgormack’s bid for a third JJ Kavanagh & Sons Waterford SFC title continued apace with an impressive 3-15 to 0-3 victory over An Rinn. They now have four points from two matches in Group A, as do Kilrossanty who beat Gaultier by 2-14 to 3-7.

Roanmore are setting the pace in Group B after enjoying a hard-fought 2-14 to 1-16 win over last year’s beaten finalists Abbeyside-Ballinacourty.

Westmeath

Caulry claimed the last place in the Westmeath SFC quarter-finals thanks to a 2-18 to 1-13 win over Moate All-Whites at TEG Cusack Park. County goalkeeper Conor McCormack kicked 10 points and Senan Baker landed another 1-6 to hep them a victory that bumped them above Moate and Killucan on scoring difference in Section B. They will now face Coralstown/Kinnegad in the quarter-final on Sunday with Garrycastle and Mullingar Shmrocks facing off in the other last six tie. The Downs and St. Loman’s have qualified directly for the semi-finals after finishing as the top two teams in Section A.

Wexford

After the final round of group matches, the quarter-finals of the Dominic Smith Electrical Wexford SFC quarter-finals are now set in stone. Castletown will play HWH Bunclody, Kilanerin will play Crossabeg/Ballymurn, Shelmaliers will play Naomh Éanna, and Glynn-Barntown will play Gusserane O’Rahilly’s. Reigning champions Castletown have been the form team again so far in this year’s championship, winning all of their five games in Group A, including Sunday’s convincing 1-19 to 0-6 victory over Glynn-Barntown.

Wicklow

The treble is on for Carnew Emmets who booked their place in the Boom and Platform Hire Wicklow SHC Final thanks to a convincing 4-10 to 1-11 victory over Kiltegan. Already in the Wicklow senior football final and Intermediate hurling final, it’s been an incredible year for the club. Two second-half goals from Fionn Darcy were key to their win over Kiltegan, a result that has set them up for a final joust against Bray Emmets for the third year in a row.

Bray won both of those finals and will be warm favourites to make it seven Wicklow senior hurling titles in a row after a convincing 0-23 to 0-9 semi-final victory over Avondale. Christy Moorehouse was their scorer in chief yet again, scoring 11 points, 10 of them from frees.