LAST UPDATE | 6 Jan

KERRY PUT SIX goals past Limerick to earn an emphatic win the McGrath Cup, as the pre-season GAA leagues continue this weekend.

Sean O’Shea and Conor Geaney combined for four first-half goals to send Kerry on the road to victory, as the pair finished the game with 2-3 each. Ronan Buckley grabbed Kerry’s fifth goal before half-time to put considerable distance between the sides.

Darragh Roche hit their sixth goal just before the 50th minute while Dylan Geaney scored four points for the winners. 

In the Dr. McKenna Cup, Mickey Harte’s Derry made it two wins from two with a three-point win over Down, advancing to the semi-finals in the process. Derry trailed by three points at half-time but improved after the break, holding their opponents to just two points to emerge 0-13 to 0-10 winners. 

In the O’Byrne Cup, Wexford and Longford all booked their place in the semi-finals while Meath and Louth will also battle it out for a place in the last four later this evening.

Holders Longford held off a late fightback against Westmeath to advance. Paddy Christie’s side were four points in front after 54 minutes before Westmeath cut the deficit to two through scores from Eoghan McCabe and Jack Duncan.

But Longford held on for victory, with midfielder Darren Gallagher finishing the day with four points to his credit.

Goals from Páraic Hughes, Ben Brosnan and Cian Hughes proved crucial as Wexford edged out Kildare to book a place in the O’Byrne Cup semi-finals, while Brian Nesbitt found the net for Wicklow in their O’Byrne Cup Shield quarter-final victory over Carlow.

In the evening throw-in, Meath advanced to the semi-finals with a comfortable beating of Louth, emerging 2-13 to 1-07 winners. Matthew Costello converted a penalty for Meath, with Aaron Lynch also finding a green flag. Meath will play Longford in the semi-finals.

In Connacht, New York won the league cup thanks to a 13-point win over Mayo, while Galway had six points to spare in their shield victory over Roscommon. 

O’Byrne Cup Quarter-Finals

• Wexford 3-9 Kildare 0-14
• Longford 0-9 Westmeath 0-7
• Offaly 0-10 Dublin 0-11 
• Meath 2-13 Louth 1-07 

O’Byrne Cup Shield Quarter-Final

• Wicklow 1-12 Carlow 0-13

McGrath Cup

• Limerick 0-11 Kerry 6-18

BOI Dr McKenna Cup

• Derry 0-13 Down 0-10 

Connacht Hurling League 

• Shield final: Roscommon 3-16 Galway 2-25 
• Cup final: New York 2-25 Mayo 2-12 

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