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Dublin's Paul Brogan makes his way from the field. ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Pre-Season

Crunch time: here's everything you need to know about today's GAA action

There was pre-season action around the country this afternoon. Luckily for you, we’ve for a handy, post-sized round-up.

O’Byrne Cup Semi-Final

Kildare 1-11 Dublin 0-8 The Lilywhites booked their place in the final of the Byrne Cup with a comprehensive victory over the All-Ireland champions. Kildare reached the interval with a one-point advantage – no mean feat given the 30th-minute dismissal of Eoghan O’Flaherty – but received a stroke of good fortune early in the second half when Dublin lost Paul Brogan to a moment of indiscipline.

Ronan Sweeney’s goal from the penalty spot, coming in the 47th minute, granted Kildare a forward momentum their opponents ultimately proved incapable of matching.

McGrath Cup Semi-Finals

Cork 2-17 CIT 0-07 Páirc Uí Rinn bore witness to a one-sided encounter this afternoon as Cork demolished CIT by an aggregate total of 16 points in the first of the McGrath Cup semi-finals.

The Rebels’ first goal arrived in the 13th minute courtesy of Paul Kerrigan, who scored an additional six points over the course of the afternoon, while the second went the way of veteran performer Paudie Kissane.

Tipperary 1-15 UCC 0-9 Though both teams played the first half to a seven-point stalemate, Tipperary ran out comfortable winners against UCC in Clonmel this afternoon.

Tipp improved immeasureably in the second half and began to impose their will with increasing freedom as the game wound to its close.  By the time Barry Grogan found the back of the net with fifteen minutes left on the clock, they’d pulled an insurmountable seven points ahead of Billy Morgan’s side.

Power NI Dr. McKenna Cup Semi-Final

Derry 0-11 Down 0-9 Derry have qualified for the final of this year’s tournament after emerging victorious from an attritional encounter at the Morgan Athletic Grounds.

After trailing by a point at half-time, it was the men in red and black who emerged from the interval by far the more energetic of the two sides. Aidan Carr made it difficult for the Northeasterners to develop a decisive advantage, ensuring that his team capitalised on its limited opportunities from placed balls, but with the late dismissal of Kalum King, Down ceded their all hope of mounting a late rally.

Tyrone 2-12 Fermanagh 1-4 Derry’s opponents in the final will be none other than Mickey Harte’s Tyrone.

Though Fermanagh enjoyed a two-point lead as late as the early stages of the second half, a sudden surge from their opponents, which included a brace of goals from Owen Mulligan and Ronan O’Neil, dragged proceedings beyond the control of Peter Canavan’s men.

[caption id="attachment_334544" align="alignnone" width="630" caption="Barry McGoldrick and Conor Gough in action."][/caption]

FBD Insurance League

Galway 4-9 Sligo 0-12 Galway’s preparations for the Allianz League gathered apace this afternoon with a comprehensive victory over Sligo. Man of the Match honours must surely go Michael Martin; the marksman contributed 2-3 to his county’s cause, including a stunning 20-yard strike on goal.

Mark Hehir, one of the Galway’s stars at U-21 level, marked an encouraging cameo with the Tribesmen’s final goal.

Mayo 0-14 Roscommon 1-9 Mayo dispatched local rivals Roscommon in a dramatic encounter at Ballinlough. In possession of a six-point lead during the opening exchanges of the second half, a succession of scores from Roscommon, including a goal from Kevin Higgins, drew the sides level and paved the way for a frenetic close to play.

Though points from John Rogers and Donie Shine eventually propelled Mayo to a victory of which they were more than deserving, Roscommon can feel slightly aggrieved that Enda Kenny didn’t at least hit the target with his last-gasp effort on goal.

Other results:

FBD Insurance League

GMIT 0-7 Leitrim 1-11

Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup Shield

Wexford 1-15 Wicklow 0-17

Walsh Cup

Westmeath 2-13 Offaly 0-12

Waterford Crystal Cup

Tipperary 2-24 LIT 1-16

Kehoe Cup

Louth 0-10 St. Pats 2-14

Fingal 2-10 DCU 2-22

Armagh 3-08 Trinity 2-17

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