CORK
Last year’s county senior finalists Cork IT will face 2010 senior hurling champions Sarsfields in the last four stage of this year’s championship next Sunday afternoon, after the students won out by 2-14 to 1-13 in this evening’s quarter-final tie against Erins Own. It was the second successive year that Cork IT got the better of the Glounthaune-based club.
A goal from Maurice O’Carroll helped get Erins Own off to a bright start but Cork IT recovered to lead 1-9 to 1-4 at the break. Erins Own hit back to go in front by 1-12 to 1-11 with seven minutes remaining but a goal from Cork senior footballer Ciaran Sheehan proved crucial in enabling the students to emerge victorious.
They will face Sarsfields in the semi-final after they toppled last year’s champions Carrigtwohill by 2-20 to 2-10 in yesterday evening’s quarter-final tie in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. The 2010 champions Sarsfields were in front by 1-8 to 0-7 at the interval and were ahead by 1-17 to 0-10 entering the final ten minutes. Cork senior Cian McCarthy and former county captain Kieran ‘Fraggy’ Murphy raised the green flags for Sarsfields with Gavin O’Loughlin also impressive in their attack.
The other semi-final, which will also take place next Sunday afternoon in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, will be a hugely novel affair between 2006 county premier intermediate champions Bishopstown and 2010 county premier intermediate champions Ballymartle. Bishopstown booked their spot with a 1-11 to 0-11 quarter-final win yesterday against Midleton while Ballymartle had triumphed last week at the same stage against Na Piarsaigh.
Bishopstown, who were able to call on Cork senior hurling duo Shane O’Neill and Patrick Cronin along with Rebels football net minder Ken O’Halloran, trailed by 0-4 to 0-1 after the opening quarter against Midleton. A 17th minute Gerard McGlacken goal was a vital boost for Bishopstown as they only trailed by 0-7 to 1-3 at the interval.
By the 40th minute mark the teams were level at 0-8 to 1-5 but then Midleton, who had Cork seniors Luke O’Farrell and Conor Lehane on board, were overhauled by a strong late scoring surge by Bishopstown.
Meanwhile in the fourth round of the Cork senior football championship, Douglas cruised to a 2-14 to 0-4 win over Newmarket last night and now face Duhallow or Dohenys at the quarter-final stage.
KERRY
Reigning county senior football champions Dr Crokes became the last side to book their place in the quarter-finals of this year’s championship with a 1-15 to 1-9 victory over divisional combination East Kerry this afternoon in Fitzgerald Stadium.
Dr Crokes trailed by 1-3 to 0-3 after ten minutes with Jack Sherwood, this year’s Kerry U21 player from Firies, finding the net for East Kerry. Yet Dr Crokes recovered to lead by 1-10 to 1-5 at the interval with team captain Kieran O’Leary raising their green flag after being set up by Colm Cooper. The Killarney based club, who are bidding for a third successive title this year, maintained that advantage until the finish and triumphed by six points at the final whistle.
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In the first game of today’s double-header at Fitzgerald Stadium, there was success for Rathmore against Killarney Legion by 1-12 to 2-5. The winners lead by 0-8 to 1-1 at half-time but the teams were level during the final quarter at 0-10 to 2-4. A 51st minute goal from George O’Keeffe proved crucial and allied to the point-kicking of Michael O’Riordan, the club of Kerry senior defender Aidan O’Mahony qualified for the last eight.
Three other fourth round games took place yesterday evening with divisional outfit St Kieran’s defeating Kerins O’Rahilly’s by 2-11 to 0-14 in Ballymacelligott. Two goals from Aidan Breen helped St Kieran’s, who lead 1-8 to 0-7 at half-time, advance despite the excellent score taking of Barry John Keane for Kerins O’Rahilly’s.
Dingle travelled to Kilcummin and emerged with a 5-5 to 0-11 victory. Despite trailing by 0-8 to 2-1 at half-time, the West Kerry outfit pushed on in the second-half with Billy O’Connor and Paul Geaney amongst their goalscorers. Meanwhile St Michael’s-Foilmore and Kenmare must meet again after a 1-12 to 0-15 draw in Foilmore last night. The game went to extra-time having finished level at 1-9 to 0-12 at the conclusion of normal time.
The quarter-final draw will take place tomorrow with Feale Rangers, Laune Rangers and Austin Stacks having already secured their spots with victories last weekend.
LIMERICK GAA
The last four stage of the Limerick senior football championship has been reached after victories for Ballysteen and 2009 Munster senior club football championship Dromcollogher-Broadford in last night’s quarter-final ties.
Ballysteen, the home club of county defender Pa Ranahan, defeated St Kieran’s by 0-19 to 2-9. The teams were level at 0-6 to 1-3 at the interval but then Ballysteen, who last won the Limerick senior football title in 1964, pulled clear in the second-half and will now meet last year’s beaten finalists Newcastlewest, who topped Group 1 to secure a semi-final berth.
The other semi-final will see Dromcollogher-Broadford in action after they got the better of Galbally by 2-13 to 1-12. They trailed by 0-7 to 1-5 at the break after Patrick Murphy raised a green flag for Galbally. Goals from Tom McLoughlin and Michael Twist enabled Dromcollogher-Broadford, champions in 2008 and 2009, to win with Fr Casey’s, who last won in 2006 awaiting them in the last four.
