CORK SFC
Aidan Walsh kicked a dramatic last-gasp point for Duhallow to clinch a 0-12 apiece draw against Douglas in last night’s county senior football quarter-final in Mallow while on Saturday afternoon last year’s finalists Castlehaven qualified for the semi-final stage and Bishopstown kept their dual season alive with a win over Clonakilty.
Divisional outfit Duhallow had to come behind to secure a draw against 2008 finalists Douglas after trailing by 0-9 to 0-6 by the 45th minute mark and by 0-12 to 0-10 with three minutes remaining. Duhallow were grateful to Walsh’s intervention as they kept their season alive and with the replay due to take place next weekend, O’Donovan Rossa will have to wait to see who they will face at the semi-final stage.
At the second time of asking, Castlehaven got the better of St Finbarr’s in Saturday afternoon’s quarter-final replay in Bandon by 0-12 to 0-9. Castlehaven, inspired by Cork senior Mark Collins, lead by 0-5 to 0-3 at the break but there was a significant hold-up in the opening-half due to a serious injury sustained by St Finbarr’s Eoin Keane.
After the break St Finbarr’s fought back strongly and Castlehaven received a setback when midfielder Sean Dineen was sent-off late on but they kicked the insurance points to seal victory. They will face either Carbery Rangers or Bishopstown in their semi-final tie after Bishopstown, who have reached the final of this year’s Cork SHC, overturned Clonakilty by 4-7 to 1-7 in Newcestown on Saturday evening.
The teams were tied at 0-4 apiece at the interval but the game turned on a three-goal blast by Bishopstown after half-time when Fiachra O Deasmhunaigh, Denis Crowley and Conor Dorman all raised green flags. Howard Kenny did fire a goal in response for Clonalkilty but a late Chris O’Neill goal sealed Bishopstown’s success.
LIMERICK SFC
Dromcollogher-Broadford, Munster club football champions in 2008, will meet Newcastlewest in the final of this year’s county senior football championship on October 21st after both sides won their semi-final clashes over the weekend. Newcastlewest, who lost the decider last year to Monaleen and have not lifted the title since 1992, were 1-8 to 0-9 winners over Ballysteen in Rathkeale on Friday evening with James Kelly firing home the crucial goal.
Dromcollogher-Broadford, who have won five of the last eleven titles, defeated Fr Casey’s by 1-10 to 0-9 on Saturday evening with Ray Lynch raising their green flag. The final will be a repeat of the 2004 decider which Dromcollogher-Broadford won after a replay.
CLARE SFC
Reigning champions Kilmurry-Ibrickane set up a senior football semi-final clash with Kilrush Shamrocks when they claimed a 1-15 to 0-3 quarter-final win over Cratloe yesterday. Kilmurry-Ibrickane lead by 1-9 to 0-3 at the break with Johnny Daly grabbing their goal with Cratloe suffering from the exertions of their third round win over Liscannor after extra-time last Wednesday night.
Kilrush Shamrocks, who lead the Clare SFC roll of honor but have not win the title since 1987 and their last final appearance was in 2003, will be their opponents after they got the better of Ennistymon by 1-8 to 0-6 on Saturday. Kilrush Shamrocks lead by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break while Rory O’Connor hit the crucial second-half goal.
St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield, last year’s finalists, also reached the semi-final stage over the weekend with a 1-12 to 0-6 win over Cooraclare as Cathal Duggan struck their goal. They will have to wait to discover the identity of their last four opponents after the other quarter-final ended in a draw, Éire Óg (Ennis) 3-8 Doonbeg 2-11.
WATERFORD SFC
Reigning champions Ballinacourty will face Stradbally, in a rematch of last year’s decider, in the semi-final of this year’s county championship. On Saturday evening in the Fraher Field both teams claimed quarter-final victories with Ballinacourty defeating An Rinn by 1-13 to 2-7 after earlier holding a 1-5 to 1-3 interval lead. Stradbally overturned Ardmore by 1-10 to 2-4 having been ahead by 1-6 to 1-1 at the break.
On Friday night in the Fraher Field, Clashmore/Kinsalebeg became the first team to book their spot in the last four with a 2-11 to 2-3 victory over Rathgormack. The winners had goalscorers in Cillian O’Keeffe and John Pender and will now aim to reach their first senior final since 1982.
They will meet either The Nire or Kilrossanty after they drew their quarter-final after extra-time on Saturday. Kilrossanty lead 2-14 to 1-16 nearing the end of the additional period before Shane Walsh pointed a late free to rescue a draw for The Nire and create the need for a replay.
