Updated at 21.45pm
ONE OF THE most successful clubs in Kilkenny senior club history will be playing intermediate hurling next season after losing their relegation play-off this afternoon.
Carrickshock, winner of seven Tom Walsh Cups and runners-up in 2010 and 2013, suffered defeat to St Martins at Nowlan Park today.
Richie and John Power’s club lost 2-13 to 0-13.
Meanwhile, O’Loughlin Gaels prevailed 2-15 to 1-13 in their Kilkenny SHC quarter-final against Dicksboro.
In Cork, Sarsfields ran riot to book their place in the SHC final as they emphatically dispatched Erins Own 4-15 to 1-14.
Now that the All-Ireland Championships have concluded, the attention has turned to the club championships and there was no shortage of action across the country today.
Niall Kelly continued his scintillating form as he starred in Athy‘s Kildare SFC semi-final win over Johnstownbridge by eight points.
The Kildare footballer was heavily involved in the majority of Athy’s scores as they recorded a 0-18 to 1-7 victory in Newbridge.
The six-time winners will now face Sarsfields who booked their place in a fourth successive final impressively brushing Celbridge aside in the day’s first semi-final tie.
It’s still early days in the Kerry SFC but there were four games down for decision today. West Kerry advanced to Round 3 with a five point win over their near neighbours, Mid Kerry, at Beaufort.
In Round 3 itself, Shane McSweeney’s late goal ensured Kilcummin‘s passage through as they edged past St Kierans on a 1-14 to 1-10 scoreline.
They’ll be joined in the quarter-finals by Rathmore, who needed extra-time to see off Shannon Rangers in Tarbert in what was a high-scoring encounter.
The sides were level at 4-9 to 3-12 after normal time but the visitors pulled away in extra-time to knock the five-time winners out.
Kerins O’Rahilly‘s haven’t tasted provincial success since 2002 but they are into the last eight this time around as they campaign gathers momentum. The hosts were too strong for East Kerry, eventually running out 4-19 to 2-8 winners.
2013 Monaghan SFC winners Scotstown secured their place in another final on the back of a 1-14 to 1-8 victory over Castleblayney this afternoon. They’ll be hoping to go one better this time around after losing to Clontibret O’Neill’s in last year’s decider.
There was success too for Na Fianna in Meath as they accounted for Gaeil Colmcille at Páirc Tailteann.
After last week’s dramatic draw, there was an equally enthralling finish in this afternoon’s Leitrim SFC final replay.
Mohill won their seventh crown as Ronan Kennedy proved to be the hero as he kicked a last-gasp point to snatch glory with a 1-4 to 0-6 victory over Glencar-Manorhamilton at Páirc Seán MacDiarmada.
And in Sligo, second-half goals from John Kelly and Cathal Henry were the difference as Tourlestrane edged past Coolera/Strandhill at Markievicz Park.
There was victory too for Curry in the Sligo SFC quarter-finals as they advanced at the expense of Eastern Harp. The final score at Kilcoyne Park was 2-12 to 1-14.
