Bank of Ireland Celtic Challenge

GROUP G

ROSCOMMON 3-10 SLIGO 0-10

By Frances Hanley

This game was played on a glorious summer's evening in Athleague. Roscommon got the first point of the game from Trevor Fallon. Early on Sligo threatened on goal and were awarded a penalty. Thomas Cawley's shot was saved by goalie Adam Donnelly. Sligo, however, went on to score three points without reply. Roscommon got three more points of their own before Paddy Grehan got the first goal of the game. At half time the score-line read Sligo 0-5, Roscommon 1-5. Full back for Sligo Eoghan Rua Mc Gowan had a tremendous game and aided by Shane Molloy prevented further Roscommon scores.

Roscommon dominated the first 15 minutes of the second half adding 1-4 to their tally before Fionn Moylan got a point for Sligo. A third goal for Roscommon sealed victory for them. Sligo battled to the end but the loss of two players on red cards from the previous game proved costly.

Sligo had good performances from Daire Cawley and Michael Munnelly amongst others. Roscommon's half forward line and half back line were in top form and the team were deserving of the win.

Best and Fairest Players: Fionn Moylan – Sligo and John Why – Roscommon

GROUP E

EAST CORK 0-19 SOUTH TIPPERARY 2-11

By Fergus McGrath

A blistering start from East Cork on a blustery and blistering hot night in Glanworth proved decisive in this final round game in Group E between East Cork and South Tipperary. Very quickly into their stride East Cork had an eight point lead built up before the game had reached the end of the first quarter.

Mark Stakelem for South Tipperary eventually opened his side's account with a well taken point only to be responded to with three more from the home side, two coming from Aaron Mulcahy, who was very impressive at centre forward.

South Tipperary's Aidan O' Heney led the Premier lad's response with a point from play and one from a free as his side eventually seemed to settle. The improvement was consolidated with further points from play and with a fine goal from Darragh Fitzgerald which was followed shortly afterwards with an equally fine goal from Cian Mooney. Another Tipperary team, another scoring deficit sustained, another comeback!

East Cork points from Diarmuud Kearney, Kyle Quinn Waites and Aaron Mulcahy and a South Tipperary point from Conor Vaughan left the half time score at 2-9 to 0-13.

Whil the first half was predominantly dominated by forwards the defences on both sides stamped their authority on the second. For East Cork their goalkeeper Jack McGann and centre back Peter Hassett were particularly prominent whereas for South Tipperary Daire O' Brien, Paudie Clarke and Philip Gantly made things very difficult for the home side.

Scores were at a premium in the second half. As the game edged towards its conclusion East Cork had managed to score six second half points compared to two South Tipperary. Now a couple points behind and approaching injury time some frantic tussles in the Cork goal mouth ensued as South Tipperary came looking for a winning goal. A spectacular overhead catch by South Tipperary's Cian Mooney was a highlight. The goal wasn't to come, however, and resolute defending by the Cork lads ensured a home victory by two points in a game that was a credit to both sets of players.

Best and Fairest Players: Jack McGann - East Cork and Daire O' Brien - South Tipperary

GROUP C

OFFALY 2-16 DUBLIN CLARKE 1-17

By Lynne Hutchinson

Offaly’s Celtic Challenge team recorded a great win against Dublin Clarke in the last of the group matches. This looked like it was anyone’s match to win with 15 minutes played and four points each on the score board. Then Offaly started to creep ahead by two points. With only seconds left in the first half Ciaran Egan gave Offaly an even bigger boost of confidence by burying the sliotar in the back of the net leaving the score at half time Offaly 1-10 Dublin Clarke 0-08.

20 minutes gone in the second half and Dublin Clarke brought it back to a drawn match. Offaly didn’t let this faze them and pulled ahead again by three points. Three points up and into injury time Offaly thought they had it in the bag when their worst nightmare happened - Dublin got a goal and a point bringing them ahead by one point. Offaly fought back and thanks to Brendan Hutchinson scoring a super goal went on to win the match.

Best and Fairest Players: Joe Ryan – Offaly and Mark Murphy - Dublin Clarke

GROUP A

NORTH TIPPERARY 2-18 GALWAY MCDONAGH 3-12

By Declan Fitzpatrick

North Tipperary finished this final group match with a hard-fought victory over Galway McDonagh on a warm sunny evening in Nenagh.

The opening score of the game came from North Tipp’s Cian O’Dwyer with a well taken point in the second minute. This was followed quickly by another point from Oisin Murphy.Galway got on the scoreboard with a free from Conor Hynes in the sixth minute, the Galway men’s free taker scored a second free within minutes. Following on from this North Tipp clocked up five points from play in a row with scores coming from Chris Monroe, Brian Keating, Paddy Stakelum and Oisin Murphy.

Galway soon found their stride again and hit a further six points in the half with terrific points from Sean McDonagh and Conor Hynes.

The Galway men started strong in the second half with two points from frees taken by their main man upfront Conor Hynes, Tipp replied with two frees and a goal, but it was Galway that dominated the second half with two goals from corner forward Tom Healy. All the pressure remained on the Tipp backs, Jack Lee gave them some relief with a well taken goal and points from Conor McGrath.

The final whistle couldn’t come quick enough for North Tipp as Galway McDonagh fought right until the end, the first half scores saved the Tipp’s lads and secured the win as Galway well outscored the Tipp lads in the second half.

Best and Fairest Players: Conor McGrath - North Tipperary and Conor Hynes – Galway McDonagh

See www.gaa.ie/celticchallenge for fixtures, results and the full list of Best & Fairest Recipients.