Clare
2016 ALL-IRELAND club finalists Ballyea fell to Newmarket by 1-16 to 1-12 in the Clare senior hurling quarter-final at Cusack Park this evening.
After a wonderful 2016/17 club campaign that ended in St Patrick’s Day defeat to Cuala, Ballyea have made an early exit in Clare this time around.
Niall Deasy hit an early goal for the reigning county and Munster champions, who found themselves 1-8 to 1-5 behind at half-time.
They were four behind in the closing stages when Tony Kelly saw a late penalty saved by Newmarket goalkeeper Ronan McCormack.
Newmarket are joined in the last eight by 2015 champions Sixmilebridge who defeated Podge Collins and Cratloe earlier in the day.
Brian Corry’s first-half goal left the Bridge leading by seven points at the interval and further three-pointers from Gavin Whyte and Alan Mulready arrived after the restart.
Cathal McInerney hit a consolation goal for Cratloe, leaving Sixmilebridge deserved 3-18 to 1-13 winners.
In the third game of the day, Clooney/Quin booked their semi-final place with a 3-14 to 2-12 victory over Eire Óg.
On Sunday, Clonlara and Tulla square off for the fourth semi-final spot in Cusack Park at 5pm.
Cork
Meanwhile in the Cork senior hurling Round 4, reigning champions Glen Rovers suffered a narrow 1-12 to 0-14 defeat to Na Piarsaigh tonight.
Na Piarsaigh will now advance to face Bandon in the quarter-final of the competition they last won in 2004.
Shane Forde’s cracking finish handed Na Piarsaigh a 1-7 to 0-5 interval lead, but a couple of Horgan frees and a wonderful sideline cut brought Glen Rovers back into contention.
Conor Dorries levelled the game with ten minutes to go but a late Padraig Guest free won it for the three-time Cork champions.
Tyrone
Finally in Tyrone Killyclogher were dethroned by Pomeroy in the first round of the football championship today.
Killyclogher, who were without the injured county star Tiernan McCann, won by 1-9 to 0-7 with John Loughran scoring the goal.
2015 champions Trillick and 2016 finalists Coalisland are also into the quarter-finals after their wins over Strabane and Galbally respectively.
