MUNSTER MFC
THE KERRY MINOR footballers booked their berth in the semi-finals of the Munster championship with a 0-15 to 0-9 victory in today’s playoff over Clare.
The Kingdom recovered from last week’s opening round replay loss to Cork to claim a six-point victory in the game played at the Austin Stack Park in Tralee.
Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s side made all the early running to lead by 0-9 to 0-2 at the interval with Conor Keane, Jack Savage and Killian Spillane all in lethal form in attack.
But Clare fought back – inspired by Eimhin Courtney and Barry Keating in the scoring stakes – and had cut the gap to 0-11 to 0-9 in the closing stages.
Yet Kerry closed out the game in a confident manner with Savage and Spillane on target to ensure the Kingdom ran out victors. They will now have home advantage when they go up against Waterford in their semi-final tie on Wednesday May 15th.
LEINSTER MHC
WEXFORD ENJOYED A a successful trip to Noreside in today’s provincial minor hurling opener when they defeated Kilkenny by 3-7 to 1-10.
Conor McDonald bagged a hat-trick of goals for the winners who lead by 2-4 to 1-4 at half-time. Stephen Farrell raised Kilkenny’s solitary green flag just before the break but it was McDonald’s third strike in the second-half that helped secure the spoils for the Model County.
In Tullamore, Dublin were 1-21 to 1-11 victors over Offaly with Con O’Callaghan grabbing the late goal that sealed the success for the winners. Offaly had got off to a dream start when Cillian Kiely found the net and they lead by 1-8 to 0-10 at half-time. Yet Dublin took over in the second-half and ten points to spare at the finish.
In Portlaoise, Laois were 3-16 to 1-5 winners against Meath. Conor Ryan, Stephen Bergin and substitute John Lennon raised the green flags for Laois while Jack Fagan struck Meath’s goal.
The final game saw Kildare defeat Carlow by 3-14 to 3-12.
CHRISTY RING CUP
THERE WERE WINS for Kerry, Kildare, Derry and Meath in the opening round of the Christy Ring Cup this afternoon.
Kerry got the better of Down by 3-16 to 2-17 in Newry this afternoon. Aidan Boyle and Shane Nolan were amongst their goalscorers while Danny Toner and James Coyle netted for Down.
Kildare recorded a 1-23 to 0-15 win over Mayo in Newbridge. The home side led by 0-12 to 0-8 at half time, with Paul Divilly and Gerry Keegan both on the mark.
Sean Regan kept Mayo in touch throughout, but when Bernard Deasy hit the only goal of the game, it clinched success for the Lilywhites.
At Celtic Park, Derry had to work hard to cling on for a victory over Wicklow by 1-11 to 1-10. Oisin McCloskey gave the Oak Leaf County the perfect start with a goal in the opening minutes, which helped them to a 1-4 to 0-3 half time lead. Wicklow fought back but Derry still claimed the honours.
Meath defeated Armagh by 1-20 to 2-10 in Trim. Armagh lead 2-8 to 0-9 at the break but a Barry Slevin goal helped Meath clinch the spoils.
