From around the Country we have the Weekend’s Club Championship round-up:
Antrim
Neil McManus scored an incredible 4-9 for Cushendall to inspired them to a 4-22 to 0-19 win over Loughiel that clinches their place in the Bathshack Antrim SHC semi-finals. Three of those goals came in the first half, by which time Cushendall were already out of sight.
Dunloy are still on course for a historic fifth Antrim SHC title in a row after a hard-fought 0-26 to 021 win over St. John’s, Belfast, secured their place in this year’s semi-finals. They trailed by four points at half-time against the defensively well-organised city team, but the introduction of Keelan Molloy for the second-half changed the game in Dunloy’s favour.
Rossa secured second spot in Group 1 with a comfortable 6-26 to 2-16 win over Clooney Gaels. The winners scored their first three goals in the first quarter, and there was no way back for Clooney Gaels thereafter.
Ballycastle’s 2-21 to 3-17 win over St. Enda’s secured their place in the quarter-finals where they will play Rossa. A Ciaran Butler goal late in the second-half ultimately proved to be the decisive score of the game. Loughiel will play St. John’s in the other quarter-final.
Armagh
After the final round of the group phase of the Armagh SFC was played over the weekend, Crossmaglen, Clann Eireann, Madden, and Killeavy secured top spot in their respective groups and advance directly to the quarter-finals. They’ll get to rest up this weekend whereas eight other teams will be in action in the preliminary quarter-finals to decide what four teams make up the final eight of the championship. Ballymacnab will play Sarsfields, St. Peter’s will play Armagh Harps, Silverbridge will play Granemore, and Dromintee will place Clan na Gael for a place in the quarter-finals.
Carlow
Old Leighlin produced a big shock in the Carlow SFC by beating reigning champions Palatine 2-13 to 0-14 to really throw Group 2 wide open. The better team throughout, they made sure of the victory late on with a fine Aaron Amond goal. Also in Group 2, Rathvilly defeated Éire Óg by 0-16 to 0-14, a result which sees them make it two wins from two. In Group 1, Tinryland defeated Bagenalstown Gaels by 0-13 to 1-7 and Mount Leinster Rangers defeated Fenagh by 2-12 to 0-9.
Cavan
Gowna’s 2-10 to 0-12 victory over Castlerahan in the Kiernan Service Station Cavan SFC means four of the eight quarter-finalists are now known as they progress to the last eight along with Killygarry, Crosserlough, and Kingscourt Stars. Castlerahan’s defeat means they now need to beat pre-championship favourites Crosserlough to keep their own hopes alive. It’s going to be a very exciting final round of the group phase this weekend as every team not already qualified for the knock-out stages still has a mathematical chance of progression.
Clare
Seven of the eight quarter-finalists of the 2023 Clare SFC are now known after the final round of group matches took place over the weekend. Reigning champions Éire Óg and Kilmurry Ibrickane were already guaranteed of their spot, and have now been joined in the last eight by Cratloe, Kildysart, St. Breckan’s, St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield, and St. Joseph’s Milltown. The final quarter-final berth will be decided by a play-off between Doonbeg and Lissycasey next weekend.
Cork
Midleton’s 0-23 to 0-18 victory over Blackrock in the Cork Premier SHC means they’re the only team to make it three wins from three in the group stages. Their win over the Rockies was all the more impressive considering they did it without star forward, Conor Lehane, who was injured. In his absence, players like Paul Haughney, Cormac Beausang, Pa White, and David Cremin filled the scoring void.
Reigning champions St Finbarr’s defeated Kanturk by 0-29 to 1-18, but only pulled away in the final 10 minutes. Their star man was Ben Cunnigham who hit an incredible 0-18, all but two points of it from frees.
A 1-19 to 2-16 draw between Erin’s own and Fr. O’Neill’s means neither of the East Cork clubs can now progress to the knock-out rounds. Charleville had a crucial 2-18 to 0-21 win over Douglas to secure their place in the quarter-finals, and Sarsfields are also through thanks to a 4-19 to 1-18 win over Newtownshandrum.
Midleton are straight through to the semi-finals, while the quarter-final line-up is as follows. St. Finbarr’s v Charleville, Sarsfields v Blackrock, Douglas v Imokilly. Glen Rovers and Kanturk play go head to head in a relegation play-off.
Derry
Reigning champions Glen made it four wins from four in Group A of the Derry SFC with a hard-fought 2-14 to 3-9 victory over Swatragh. Magherafelt did the same trick in Group B, their fourth win on the trot, a 2-13 to 0-11 win over Kilrea leaving them top of the table. Ballinascreen and Lavey have a game in hand on every other team in Group A, and they meet tomorrow night in a match that could have a big bearing. With two rounds to go in the group phase, Loup are in the last chance saloon and need to beat Ballinderry in their next match to have any hope of progressing to the knock-out stages.
Donegal
The draw for the fourth round of the Michael Murphy Sports Donegal SFC has thrown up some big games, most notably the meeting of reigning champions Naomh Conaill and Glenswilly. Noamh Conaill have two wins and a draw from their first three matches, while Glenswilly have won all three of their games to date. A win for either here will secure a place in the quarter-finals.
The overall pictured in the Donegal SFC will become more clear when Glenfin play Sean MacCumhaill’s in their postponed Round 3 match, but it looks like there will be something at stake for every team going into Saturday’s Round 4 matches which will all be played at 5.30pm.
The top four will go straight through to the quarter-finals, the next eight will play in the preliminary quarter-finals, and the bottom four will contest the relegation play-offs.
The Round 4 draw is as follows:
MacCumhaills v Kilcar
St. Nauls v Killybegs
Dungloe v Gaoth Dobhair
Ardara v Milford
Naomh Conaill v Glenswilly
St Michael’s v St Eunan’s
Cloughaneely v Four Masters
Aodh Rua v Glenfin
Down
Reigning champions Kilcoo showed they’re still the team to beat in the Morgan Fuels Down SFC with a comfortable 1-10 to 0-5 victory over Mayobridge. Jerome Johnston’s first-half goal gave the reigning champions a 1-5 to 0-2 interval lead, and they never looked like being caught from there.
The win means that Kilcoo are through to the quarter-finals along with Burren and Longstone. The winners of the remaining Round 2 match between Downpatrick and Clonduff will join them there. There’s one other outstanding Round 2 match – the meeting of Carryduff and Saul with the prize of progression to Round 3 on offer for the winner.
The quarter-final line-up will be completed by the four teams that are triumphant in Round 3.
Dublin
Lucan Sarsfields confirmed their progression to the Go Ahead Dublin SHC semi-finals thanks to a 3-19 to 1-20 victory over Whitehall Colmcilles, their fourth group win on the trot. Their three goals came in the first half through Ben Coffey, Chris O’Leary, and Charlie Keher.
Also in Group 1, Kilmacud Crokes secured progression to the quarter-finals thanks to a comfortable 5-30 to 0-14 win over St. Brigid’s. Two first-half goals in the space of a minute by Conal O Riain and Sean Purcell set them on their way and they never looked back. Cuala weren’t in action at the weekend but are also assured of progression to the quarter-finals.
In Group 2, 13-man St. Vincent’s secured a place in the knock-out rounds thanks to a hard-fought 1-18 to 0-18 victory over St. Oliver Plunkett/Eoghan Ruadh. The key score was a goal shortly after half-time by powerful target-man, John Hetherton.
Na Fianna and Ballyboden are also assured of progression to the knock-out rounds from Group 2, the matter of which team goes directly to the semi-final and which two move on to the quarter-finals will be decided by the final round of group games on September 16 when Ballyboden play Na Fianna and St. Vincent’s play Faughs.
Fermanagh
The Fermanagh Senior Football Championships gets underway on Saturday with the meeting on Kinawley and Devenish.
That’s followed on Sunday by three more matches as reigning champions Enniskillen Gaels play Ederney, Erne Gaels play Belnaleck, and Derrygonnelly play Roslea.
Galway
St. Thomas’ bid for a sixth Galway SHC title in a row is still on track after their 0-23 to 1-15 win over Turloughmore. Conor Cooney was their main man in attack again, shooting 10 points, three of them from play, while Eanna Burke chipped in with five points as the defending champions clinched their place in the quarter-finals.
Last year’s beaten finalist, Loughrea, are also through to the quarter-finals thanks to a 4-22 to 0-13 win over Kilconieron. Oranmore/Maree are also into the quarter-finals for the first time in 50 years after they defeated Killimordaly by 1-22 to 1-15.
Sarsfields are in the driving seat to claim the last automatic quarter-final place after their 2-18 to 2-15 win over Ardrahan, but the group won’t be finalised until Craughwell play Castlegar in a refixed game on Tuesday evening.
Six teams are currently through to the preliminary quarter-finals – Moycullen, Gort, Cappataggle, Killimordaly, Turloughmore, and Clarinbridge.
Kerry
Dingle and Kenmare Shamrocks will contest the Kerry Club SFC Final after semi-final wins over Spa and Dr. Crokes respectively.
Paul Geaney was to the fore for Dingle in their comfortable 2-18 to 1-12 win over Spa, scoring 1-2 from play. His cousin Mikey Geaney was another stand-out perform in a sweeping role that saw him hoover up a huge amount of ball as well as kick two points from play.
Kenmare’s win over Dr. Crokes upset the odds, but was thoroughly deserved. Kerry star Sean O’Shea produced a man of the match performance that saw him kick eight points, two of them from play.
Another Kerry county-man, Micheál Burns, did his best to inspire Dr. Crokes by kicking seven points, but it wasn’t enough to prevent the Killarney side falling to a defeat.
Kildare
Celbridge advanced to the semi-finals of the UPMC Senior Hurling Championship thanks to a 1-13 to 0-14 victory over Maynooth. In the second match in Group B, Confey defeated Clane by 0-18 to 2-10, a result that relegates Clane to the Senior B Championship for 2024.
Coill Dubh produced an incredible comeback to come from five points down in the closing minutes to defeat Ardclough by 3-14 to 1-16, a result that secures a semi-final clash against Celbridge.
Reigning champions Naas are also through to the semi-finals after a 4-17 to 0-16 win over Éire Óg Corra Choill. Maynooth will play Éire Óg Corra Choill in the only quarter-final.
Laois
The Harps secured their place in the 2024 Laois SHC thanks to a thrilling 0-28 to 2-20 victory over Borris-Kilcotton.
The winners started strongly, scoring 17 first-half points of which 15 came from play to take a 0-17 to 1-10 half-time lead.
But Borris-Kilcotton seized the initiative in the third quarter during which when they outscored The Harps by 1-8 to 0-3 with the goal coming from Dean Carey.
But with James Duggan to the fore, The Harps eventually regained their composure and were level by the 55th minute.
They finished with a flourish, as points from Mick Lanigan and Duggan put the seal on a dramatic victory.
Leitrim
Mohill inflicted a first defeat of the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC on defending chamions St. Mary’s on a scoreline of 1-11 to 0-11, a result that ensured both teams progress directly to the semi-finals.
A dramatic final ground of the group stages also decided the quarter-final line-up with Sean O’Heslins set to play Glencar-Manorhamilton, and Leitrim Gaels up against Fenagh-St Caillins. Those two quarter-finals will take place in Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada this Sunday.
Meanwhile, the relegation semi-finals will see Aughawillan play Gortletteragh and St. Pat’s Dromahair play Aughnasheelin.
Limerick
Kilmallock made it three wins from three in Group 1 of the Bon Secours Limerick SHC after a 1-17 to 0-13 victory over winless Kildimo-Pallaskenry. Rising star Shane O’Brien caught the eye with an impressive performance that saw him score 1-4 from play.
Patrickswell made it two wins from three matches thanks to a three-point victory over Ahane. Aaron Gillane top-scored with a 1-5 haul, while Cian Lynch was to the fore again.
Na Piarsaigh also made it two wins from three matches thanks to a convincing 4-23 to 0-16 win over Doon.
In Group Two, Mungret St. Paul’s remain top of the table after a 1-23 to 2-17 win over Adare. Ballybrown are also on five points after a Barry Adams hat-trick helped them to victory over South Liberties.
Monaleen are also still in the hunt for the quarter-finals after their win over Garryspillane.
Longford
The Peter Hanley Motors Senior Football Championship is down to the knock-out rounds after last weekend’s final round of group matches.
Going into the weekend, Killoe, Mullinalaghta, Colmcille, Rathcline, Granard, and Dromard were already assured of their quarter-final berths, so the two matches that really mattered were the meetings of Mostrim and Longford Slashers and Clonguish and Granard.
The Slashers dug deep to record a 1-12 to 1-11 win over Mostrim with Daire O’Brien landing the winner, while Clonguish enjoyed a comfortable 4-14 to 0-7 win over Granard.
That quarter-finals take place this weekend and the draw is as follows:
Killoe Young Emmets v Longford Slashers
St. Mary’s Granard v Colmcille
Dromard v Rathcline
Mullinalaghta St. Columba’s v Clonguish.
Louth
Dreadnots secured their place in the Anchor Tours Louth SFC Quarter-Finals with a solid 0-12 to 0-9 win over St Fechin’s with James Califf, Peter Kirwan, and substitute Craig Shevlin catching the eye in attack.
St Patrick’s also sealed a quarter-final spot thanks to a 1-14 to 0-12 win over a Newtown Blues team now very much in a relegation battle. Tadhg O’Connor struck the goal for the winners and Jack Murphy impressed with a four-point haul from play.
Reigning champions Ardee St. Mary’s are still on course to defend the Joe Ward Cup after they beat Cooley Kickhams by 2-8 to 0-10. Ryan Rooney impressed for the winners with a scoring haul of 1-2.
Mayo
The fancied teams in the Connacht Gold Mayo SFC enjoyed positive wins as Westport, Ballina Stephenites, and Ballintubber all made it two wins from two, while Knockmore and Castlebar Mitchels got their first wins after drawing against one another in Round 1.
The most competitive match of the rounds was Castlebar’s 1-8 to 1-7 win over Aghamore. The key moment came in the 55tth minute when veteran Neil Douglas struck for a crucial goal.
That brought Castlebar level, and then they won it when goal-keeper Rory Byrne kicked an injury-time free from a huge distance.
Meath
Trim and Kildalkey have secured their places in the semi-finals of the Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear Meath SHC after winning their final matches of the group phase. Reigning champions Trim had a good battle with Ratoath before running out 3-23 to 2-19 winners, while Kildalkey enjoyed a surprisingly comfortable 0-22 to 0-8 win over Kiltale.
Ratoath progress to the Quarter-Finals where they will play Blackhall Gaels who finished top of Group B, while Kiltale will play Kilmessan in the other quarter-final with the winners advancing to the semi-finals.
Longwood were relegated to the Intermediate Championship for 2024 on scoring difference after they were beaten 3-20 to 0-12 by Kilmessan.
Monaghan
Inniskeen ended Castleblayney’s bid for a seventh Monaghan SHC title in a row thanks to a dramatic 1-11 to 0-13 Final victory. County star Niall Arthur was man of the match, scoring 1-6 to help Inniskeen to their first senior hurling title since 2016.
A vital penalty save by Pauric Dowdall in the game in the first half and they trailed by a single point at the break. Arthur’s second-half goal was the crucial score of the match, though Castleblayney will also reflect that some poor shooting cost them on the day.
Offaly
Kilcormac-Killoughey claimed their place in the Molloy Environmental Systems SHC semi-finals thanks to a 1-21 to 2-14 victory over Birr who will now play defending champions Shinrone in the quarter-finals.
K-K looked like they were on the way to a very comfortable win when they led by nine points at half-time, but Birr produced a strong second-half display that will give them hope going into the quarter-finals.
Ballinamere are also straight through to the semi-finals thanks to their 0-23 to 2-14 win over Shinrone. Trailing by 2-14 to 0-16 after 47 minutes, Ballinamere produced a huge final quarter-final that saw them score seven points without reply.
St Rynagh’s enjoyed a very convincing 3-19 to 0-11 win over Kinnity that secures their place in the quarter-finals, as forwards like Eoin Woods, Aidan Treacy, Luke O’Connor, and Shane Rigney cut loose.
A Coolderry team that enjoyed a 1-24 to 2-13 winner takes all victory over Belmont will provide the opposition in that quarter-final.
Roscommon
The quarter-final draw for the Hodson Bay SFC Quarter-Finals has thrown up some very interesting ties.
Top of the list is arguably the meeting of Clann nan Gael and Boyle, while there’s also a repeat of this year’s O’Rourke Cup Final as Roscommon Gaels meet neighbours Oran. The other two quarter-finals feature the amalgamated sides as North Roscommon play St. Brigid’s and West Roscommon play Pádraig Pearses.
Strokestown will play Michael Glaveys in a relegation play-off with the loser then playing Western Gaels to see who will be relegated to the Intermediate grade.
Sligo
Reigning champions Tourlestrane made it three wins from three in the Homeland Sligo SFC Group phase thanks to a 0-11 to 0-7 victory over Coolera-Strandhill which means they’ve reached the sem-finals with a round of matches to spare.
So too have last year’s beaten finalists, St. Mary’s. Their 5-21 to 1-12 victory over Carly/St Joseph’s was also their third win on the spin. Going into the final round of group fixtures, St Molaise Gaels, Calry St. Joseph’s, Drumcliffe Rosses Point, and Coolera-Srandhill are all in with a chance of also making it to the last four.
Tipperary
The quarter-finals of the Tipperary SFC have been finalised after last weekend’s final round of group games. Reigning champions Clonmel Commercials, last year’s beaten finalists Upperchurch-Drombane, Loughmore Castleiney, and JK Brackens progress to the last eight as group winners while Kilsheelan-Kilcash, Ballina, Killenaule and Moyle Rovers go through as group runners-up. Eire Og Annacarty, Moycarkey/Borris, Arravale Rovers, and Rockwell Rovers will contest the relegation playoffs after finishing bottom of their respective groups.
Clonmel Commercials still very much look a cut above every other team in the championship. Their 3-19 to 0-4 win over Drom-Inch was their third comfortable win in a row.
Waterford
Ballygunner and De La Salle are will contest the Waterford SHC Final after semi-final wins over Fourmilewater and Ronamore respectively. Ballgunner’s 1-23 to 1-5 victory stretched their long unbeaten run in the Waterford SHC to 52 matches as they bid to win a record-breaking 10th title in a row.
Dessie Hutchinson was their star man in the win over Fourmilewater, hitting 1-3 from play, and was ably assisted in a potent Ballygunner attack by Pauric Mahony (0-9) and Peter Hogan (0-3).
De La Salle showed a lot of grit to edge out city rivals Roanmore by 0-19 to 0-18 in their hard-fought semi-final. The teams were level 14 times, and it was Sean Carton who came up trumps in the end for De La Salle, hitting an injury-time winner.
Westmeath
Caulry have reached the Shay Murtagh Precast Westmeath SFC semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history after a 1-11 to 2-6 victory over Athlone.
Trailing by three points at half-time, Caulry were much improved in the second as three quick points earned them parity. Then came the decisive moment of the match when Emmet Nally palmed the ball to the net for Caulry.
They went on to stretch their lead to six points, but had to endure a nervy final few minutes after John Stapleton brought Athlone back into it with a goal.
In the weekend’s other quarter-final, Tyrrellspass enjoyed a convincing 3-16 to 2-8 victory over Tang.
Wexford
Castletown made it two wins from two in the Dominic Smith Electrical & Home Entertainment Wexford SFC thanks to a 0-11 to 0-9 win over Glynn-Barntown that puts them two of the Group A table. The only team without a victory after two rounds in Group A is Crossabeg-Ballyburn, who were unfortunate to be pipped by a single point, 1-9 to 0-11, by Sarsfields.
Kilanerin and Shelmaliers are setting the pace in Group B with two wins from two apiece. Kilanerin defeated St. James’ by 0-12 to 0-5, while Shelmaliers were 29 to 1-6 winners over Starlights.
Wicklow
Bray Emmets remain on course for a fifth Lightning Protection Ireland Wicklow SHC title in a row after an impressive 1-16 to 0-11 victory over Glenealy, who they defeated in last year’s final.
The teams were level early in the second-half, but thereafter Bray took control to outscore their opponents by 0-10 to 0-2 in the last 25 minutes of the match.
These same two teams will now contest the county semi-final, and on the basis of this match Bray would have to be favoutites to repeat this trick.
The meeting of Carnew Emmets and Kiltegan was also a dry-run for their upcoming semi-final joust, with Carnew emerging victorious in a tight game by 2-12 to 2-11. Another close battle is anticipated in three weeks’ time.