Club Championship round-up

CARLOW

Palatine defeated Rathvilly by 0-11 to 0-9 in Saturday’s County SFC semi-final.

Rathvilly led by 0-5 to 0-4 at half-time, with four of their points kicked from play by the excellent Brendan Murphy.

Palatine improved in the second-half, though, and Rathvilly’s hopes nosedived when Murphy was forced off with an injury.

Sunday’s scheduled semi-final between holders Éire Óg and Bagenalstown Gaels was postponed due to heavy rain.

CLARE

Reigning champions St. Joseph’s Miltown are through to the Clare SFC semi-finals after a 0-12 to 1-5 victory over Lissycasey.

Trailing by five points at half-time, they resisted a second-half surge from Lisscasey that saw them cut the gap to three points at one stage.

Cratloe proved too good for last year’s beaten finalists, Ennistymon, as they ran out 1-15 to 0-8 victors. Pierce DeLougery made a vital penalty save for the winners who also had star performers in Sean and Podge Collins, Liam Markham, and Cathal McInerney.

Two converted penalties by Steven Moloney helped Kilmurry Ibrickane to a 2-14 to 1-10- victory over Kilmihil, while Doonbeg defeated Éire Óg by 4-8 to 1-12 in the remaining quarter-final.

CORK

Three-in-a-row title chasers, Imokilly, are through to the Cork SHC semi-finals after a convincing victory 1-17 to 0-10 victory over Sarsfields.

Declan Dalton was the main man for the victors, scoring 1-10 of their total, all but a point of which was from placed balls.

Sarsfields started strongly, but once Imokilly had weathered they early storm they took charge of the contest and went in at the break leading by 1-4 to 0-5, the goal a converted penalty from Dalton.

With county stars Seamus Harnedy and Bill Cooper to the fore, they pulled away in the second-half from a tiring Sarsfields to set up a semi-final clash with St. Finbarr’s.

In Saturday evening’s other Cork SHC quarter-final, Glen Rovers edged out Newtownshandrum by 1-12 to 0-14.

The key moment of the match was David Cunningham’s goal for the winners after 49 minutes. That drew Rovers level and gave the impetus they needed to chisel out a hard-fought victory.

Meanwhile, in the Cork SFC quarter-finals, Douglas defeated Ballincollig by 1-12 to 0-9, Newcestown defeated Ilen Rovers by 0-10 to 0-4, and Bantry Blues and Bandon battled to a 1-13 apiece draw.

Conor Russell was the key performer for Douglas, scoring the 53rd minute goal that effectively decided the match and finishing with a personal tally of 1-3.

A powerful second-half performance by Newcestown saw them hold Ilen Rovers scoreless after the break after four points from David Buckley had given them a 0-6 to 0-4 half-time lead.

In the West Cork derby, Bantry looked set for victory when they led by five points with 15 minutes remaining, but Bandon finished very strongly and forced the replay when Cian O’Mahony landed an equaliser late on.

DERRY

Christopher Bradley scored 1-3 as Slaughtneil defeated Ballinderry by 1-14 to 0-11 in the Derry SFC Quarter-Finals. The 2017 Ulster Champions will now play Glen in the County Semi-Finals.

Glen showed a lot of character to beat Lavey in their quarter-final, recovering from a poor start that saw them go six points down before they eventually ran out victors on a final scoreline of 1-15 to 2-6.

Magherafelt and Banagher will contest the other semi-final after quarter-final victories over Ballinascreen and Swatragh respectively.

DONEGAL

The Quarter-Finals of the Donegal SFC are now known after the final round of group matches over the weekend.

They are as follows: Gaoth Dobhair v Bundoran, Milford v St Eunan’s, Kilcar v Killybegs, and Naomh Conaill v Glenfin.

DUBLIN

Reigning champions Ballyboden St. Enda’s were knocked out of the Dublin SHC at the quarter-final stage by St. Vincent’s on Saturday.

Inspired by John Hetherton who finished with a personal tally of 0-19, St. Vincent’s recovered from a four-point half-time deficit to force extra-time.

They never looked back after Stephen McCarry scored a goal in the first period of extra-time, and in the end won comfortably enough by 1-29 to 2-15.

Con O’Callaghan further burnished his dual-star credentials by scoring 2-3 from play as Cuala defeated Kilmacud Crokes by 3-18 to 1-11.

In the weekend’s other quarter-finals, Craobh Chiaráin beat Lucan Sarsfields by 3-14 to 2-13 and St. Brigid’s defeated Na Fianna by 2-19 to 2-16.

FERMANAGH

Derrygonnelly Harps claimed a fifth Fermanagh Senior Football Championship title on the spin at Brewster Park after defeat Roslea Shamrocks by 0-10 to 1-3.

The standard bearers finished with a real flourish to overcome a determined Roslea Shamrocks outfit.

Underdogs Roslea Shamrocks netted a first half goal when Niall Cosgrove scored, but Derrygonnelly still led by 0-6 to 1-1 at half-time.

Garvan Jones was outstanding for Harps, but Roslea responded again after the restart.

Brendan Sherlock and John Connolly clipped points to level matters as Roslea Shamrocks thundered back.

Late on, though, Derrygonnelly stayed composed reeling off four points in a row courtesy of Shane McGullion, Kevin Cassidy, Conal Jones, and Aidan McKenna to seal victory.

GALWAY

Reigning All-Ireland Champions Corofin are through to the Galway SFC semi-finals after an impressive 1-16 to 1-10 victory over Mountbellew/Moylough.

Gearoid Armstrong fisted over a last gasp winning point as Salthill-Knocknacarra advanced to the penultimate stage of the Galway SFC thanks to a 0-13 to 1-9 victory over Claregalway.

Tuam Stars and Moycullen also advance to the semi-finals after victories over An Spidéal and St. Michael’s.

KERRY

Reigning Kerry and Munster Champions, Dr. Crokes, powered to an impressive 3-26 to 2-12 victory over Rathmore in the Kerry SFC on Sunday.

Tony Brosnan was electric for the winners, scoring 1-11, of which all but one point was from play.

Crokes had nine different scorers in all and started the match quickly, leading by 0-8 to 0-2 after just 15 minutes.

When Mark O’Shea scored his team’s first goal after 29 minutes the writing was already on the wall for Rathmore, who trailed by 1-15 to 0-5 at the break.

In the weekend’s other Kerry SFC matches, Killarney Legion defeated Kilcummin by 1-16 to 1-12, Dingle defeated Austin Stacks by 0-12 to 0-6, South Kerry defeated Shannon Rangers by 3-16 to 1-10, St Kieran’s defeated Mid Kerry by 0-12 to 0-9, Kerins O’Rahilly’s defeated Kenmare Shamrocks by 2-15 to 1-17, and St. Brendan’s defeated East Kerry by 2-11 to 1-12.

KILKENNY

Reigning All-Ireland Club SHC champions, Ballyhale Shamrocks, are through to the Kilkenny SHC quarter-finals after a convincing 5-27 to 2-16 victory over St. Patrick’s Ballyragget.

Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody scored a combined 3-5 from play and tortured the St. Patrick’s defence throughout the contest.

James Stephens also looked impressive when securing their place in the quarter-finals thanks thanks to a 4-19 to 0-15 victory over Danesfort. The Village were 1-6 to no-score ahead after just 10 minutes, and never looked like being caught from there.

A Conor Murphy free saw Graigue Ballycallan claim a 1-10 to 0-13 draw with Mullinavat.

Last year’s beaten Kilkenny SHC finalists, Bennettsbridge, are in danger of dropping down to the Intermediate grade after they lost their relegation semi-final to Erin’s Own by 3-18 to 2-9.

LIMERICK

Reigning champions Na Piarsaigh are through to another Limerick SHC Final after a 0-23 to 0-18 victory over Kilmallock.

Na Piarsaigh led by 0-12 to 0-9 at half-time, but then lost centre-back Ronan Lynch to a red-card early in the second-half.

They looked in trouble when Kilmallock moved a point ahead midway through the half, but the city team finished strongly with William Henn and David Dempsey particularly impressive in the closing minutes.

In the other Limerick SHC semi-final, Patrickswell defeated Doon by 2-14 to 0-15.

A Kevin O’Brien goal helped the winners into a 1-6 to 0-7 half-time lead, and a second goal from Jason Gillane early in the second-half was a fatal blow for Doon’s hopes of causing an upset.

Meanwhile, on the football front in Limerick, Newcastle West defeated Adare by 2-10 to 1-7 in the County SFC semi-final.

LOUTH

This year’s Louth SFC Final will be a repeat of last year’s after Newtown Blues and Naomh Mairtin won their respective semi-finals against Dreadnots and Geraldines.

Defending champions Newtown Blues had to dig deep to defeat Dreadnots, and were thankful to Andy McDonnell for a second-half goal that gave them some badly needed impetus when they needed it most as they eventually triumphed by a single point.

Naomh Mairtin’s win was somewhat more straightforward, as they led Geradines from gun to post.

MAYO

Last year’s beaten Mayo SFC finalists, Breaffy, are out of this year’s championship after falling to a shock 2-13 to 0-14 defeat to Ballina Stephenites.

In a match that went to extra-time, the performance of county stars David Clarke, Ger Cafferkey, Ciaran Treacy, Evan Regan, and Mike Murray proved crucial for the winners.

Substitue Simon Leonard made a big impact too, scoring a crucial goal in the first period of extra-time and finishing with a personal tally of 1-3.

Ballina will now face defending champions Ballintubber in the semi-final, who were 1-12 to 1-8 victors over last year’s Intermediate champions, Belmullet.

Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar Mitchels are also through to the semi-finals after victories over Davitts and Knockmore respectively.

OFFALY

Reigning Offaly SHC champions, Coolderry, were dethroned by Belmont on Sunday evening.

An Oisin Kelly goal helped Belmont into a 1-8 to 0-8 half-time lead, and they upped through the gears in the second-half to eventually run out comfortable victors on a fine scoreline of 2-17 to 1-10.

In the weekend’s other quarter-final, Birr defeated Shinrone by 0-18 to 0-15. They will now play Kilcormac-Killoughey in one semi-final, with Belmont playing St Rynagh’s in the other.

TYRONE

Reigning champions Coalisland are through to the County SFC semi-finals after a 2-14 to 1-8 victory over Killyclogher, in what was a repeat of last year’s County Final. Tiarnan Quinn was the main man, scoring both of his team’s goals.

An injury-time goal by Niall Gormley sealed Trillick’s 2-11 to 1-9 victory over Clonoe, while Errigal Ciaran are also through to the semi-finals after a 2-13 to 1-10 victory over Omagh.

WESTMEATH

Garrycastle and St. Loman’s Mullingar will contest the Westmeath SFC Final after semi-final wins over Mullingar Shamrocks and The Downs.

An Eoin Monaghan goal proved crucial for Garrycastle in their victory over the reigning champions and in the end they won comfortably enough on a scoreline of 1-9 to 0-6.

Super-sub Sean Flanagan was the hero for St. Loman’s as his 52nd minute goal helped them to a 1-12 to 0-11 victory.

WEXFORD

Reigning champions Naomh Eanna were knocked out of the Wexford SHC after falling to a heavy 1-21 to 0-12 defeat to Ferns St Aidan’s.

Paul Morris was superb in attack for the victors who led by three points at the break and then took complete control of the tie in the second-half.

Last year’s beaten finalists, St. Martin’s, battled to a hard-fought 2-21 to 1-21 victory over Glynn-Barntown.

The key moment of the match came mid-way through the second-half when Frankie Hynes’ attempted back-pass floated over the head of his goalkeeper Mark Fanning and hit the back of the net for an own-goal.

Oylegate-Glenbrien have been relegated to the intermediate grade after losing their play-off to Faythe Harriers on a scoreline of 1-15 to 0-7.

WICKLOW

Bray Emmets and Glenealy will contest the Wicklow SHC Final after semi-final wins over St. Patrick’s and Carnew.

Jonathan Bosco O’Neill hit nine points for Glenealy in their 1-15 to 0-14 victory, while Christy Moorehouse hit an injury-time winner for Bray as they defeated St Patrick’s by 1-11 to 0-13.