Donegal SFC Final
Glenswilly 1-08 St Michael’s 0-09 Michael Murphy was the undisputed star of the show in Ballybofey yesterday afternoon, rattling home 1-07 to take Glenswilly to a first county title. In front of a crowd of 6,500, the inter-county captain turned the game with a powerful finish in the 46th minute before adding three more points to seal victory late on.
Fermanagh SFC Final
Roslea 1-10 Teemore 1-07 Roslea Shamrocks retained their county football crown in Brewster Park yesterday, thanks in no small part to Seamus Quigley. The full-forward chipped in with an individual 1-08 yesterday, his goal coming from the penalty spot after he had been fouled on the stroke of half time.
Meath SFC Final
Dunshaughlin 0-10 Summerhill 0-10 Dunshauglin and Summerhill will have to do it all again in the Meath SFC final after a Brian Ennis free rescued a draw for Summerhill in the game’s dying moments. Although they had started the afternoon as slight underdogs, Dunshaughlin found themselves ahead by a point at the break, 0-06 to 0-05, but were pegged back time and again by Ennis who landed all five of his points from frees.
Dunshaughlin’s Michael Ahern with Paul Rispin of Summerhill (©INPHO/Morgan Treacy)
Westmeath SFC Final
Garrycastle 0-11 Mullingar 1-08 A James Dolan point staved off an upset in Cusack Park yesterday as two-time champions Garrycastle left it late before forcing a replay against Mullingar Shamrocks. With little to choose between the sides throughout, Donal O’Donoghue thought that he had won the game with a fisted point three minutes from time before Dolan carved out the space to level things up at the death.
Cavan SFC Final
Cavan Gaels 4-11 Castlerahan 0-07 Cavan Gaels strolled to their fourth county title in five years with a 16-point win over Castlerahan. Martin Dunne led the way for Gaels with 1-4 with Kevin Meehan and a Robert Maloney-Derham brace padding out the score.
Cork SHC Final
Carrigtwohill 0-15 Cork IT 1-11 Carrigtwohill supersub Sean O’Farrell was the difference between the sides at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday, firing the minnows to a first county championship since 1918 with the deciding point in a thrilling encounter. After a quick blitz put CIT a point in front midway through the second half, Carrigtwohill captain Niall McCarthy led from the front with two stunning points, setting the stage for O’Farrell to seal a famous win.
CIT’s John Cronin consoled by a Carrigtwohill fan after the game (©INPHO/James Crombie)
Kildare SHC Final
Celbridge 2-16 Confey 0-15 Two early goals helped the hurlers of Celbridge to their third successive county title yesterday. Despite a gutsy comeback by Confey, Mark Moloney and Conor Kenny’s goals inside the opening seven minutes ultimately proved to be the difference as the defending champions retained their crown with a seven-point victory.
Limerick SHC Final
Na Piarsaigh 2-18 Ahane 0-13 Na Piarsaigh’s maiden county title was a long time coming, sparking joyous scenes at the Gaelic Grounds as they trumped Ahane by 11 points yesterday. In a contest that was more evenly poised than the final score suggests, Niall Moran (0-05) threatened to spoil the party by launching a comeback for Ahane in the second period. But with Na Piarsaigh’s lead at five points with 13 minutes to play, a penalty from the brilliant Shane Dowling ended the game as a contest.
Shane Dowling celebrates at the final whistle (©INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan)
Carlow SHC Final
Naomh Eoin 0-10 Mount Leinster Rangers 1-07 Seven minutes of injury time couldn’t separate the sides at Dr Cullen Park yesterday, but Naomh Eoin can count themselves slightly fortunate to have a second bite at the cherry. Trailing by three as the game entered its closing stages, it took a late, late free from captain Dwain Kavanagh to force a replay.
Wicklow SHC Final
Glenealy 3-09 Carnew Emmets 3-06 For the third time in four years, the hurlers of Glenealy broke Carnew hearts in the Wicklow county final, but not before they were given a late scare by their opponents. With ten minutes to play, Glenealy led by a staggering 10 points but saw their advantage whittled away by goals from Gary Doran (2) and Nick Sketlon, forcing them to hang on for victory in a dramatic finale.
