GALWAY SFC
COROFIN WILL FACE Tuam Stars in a repeat of last year’s Galway senior decider in the semi-finals of this season’s competition after both teams prevailed in their quarter-final ties over the weekend. Corofin were forced to survive a strong second-half fightback from city outfit St James, who contested the All-Ireland club IFC final last year, before they narrowly prevailed by 2-10 to 2-9 in Tuam Stadium yesterday.
The reigning champions, who are striving for their fifth Galway senior crown in seven years this season, lead 2-7 to 0-4 at half-time with goals from county panelist Kieran McGrath and Tomás Costelloe. However St James fought back in the second-half with Eoin Teagle and Alan O’Donnell raising green flags while county player Paul Conroy was in inspirational form but time ran out on their comeback as Corofin held on.
In the second game in yesterday’s double-header, Tuam Stars beat Milltown by 0-14 to 1-8 to ensure they face Corofin at the semi-final juncture. Tuam Stars lead 0-7 to 0-3 at the break with Shane Gaffney and Jamie Murphy amongst their point-scorers. Milltown fought back in the second-half with Michael Martin on the mark in attack and Mark Hehir struck a late goal from the penalty spot but Tuam Stars, with Shane Curtin in freescoring form, held on for a three-point success.
The other two quarter-finals took place yesterday in Pearse Stadium with Peadar Óg Ó Gríofa and Sean Denvir nearly inspiring Michéal Breathnach’s to a shock victory over 2010 champions Killererin. Ó Gríofa found the net in the second-half to edge them ahead by 1-7 to 0-8 but late points by Nicky Joyce and Michael Boyle, an All-Ireland U21 winner with Galway last year, rescued Killererin to secure a 1-9 to 0-12 draw.
2006 All-Ireland club champions Salthill-Knocknacarra will face the winners of that Killererin and Michéal Breathnach’s replay in the semi-final, after they defeated An Cheathrú Rua in their quarter-final tie yesterday in Pearse Stadium. Seamie Crowe struck the crucial goal just after half-time to help secure a 1-9 to 0-10 victory with Sean Armstrong kicking 0-6 for the winners.
ANTRIM SFC
2010 All-Ireland club champions St Gall’s remain on course for their sixth consecutive county senior football crown after securing a 1-16 to 1-8 victory over Creggan in last night’s quarter-final tie in Casement Park. They will face Cargin, the only club other than St Gall’s to win an Antrim SFC title in the last 12 years, at the semi-final stage after Cargin defeated Rasharkin by 0-14 to 0-6 in their last eight clash yesterday in Ahoghill.
St Gall’s, seen here celebrating their 2010 All-Ireland win, will contest the semi-finals of this year’s Antrim SFC. INPHO/Cathal Noonan
The other semi-final tie will see St John’s, who defeated O’Donovan Rossa by 0-12 to 1-5 yesterday in Casement Park, facing St Brigid’s or Ahoghill after they drew 1-7 apiece in Casement Park in Friday night and must now meet in a replay.
FERMANAGH SFC
Last year’s All-Ireland club intermediate football champions Lisnaskea Emmetts will face St Patrick’s Donagh in the semi-finals of this year’s Fermanagh SFC after they triumphed by 0-10 to 0-7 against Newtownbutler in their quarter-final tie in Brewster Park on Friday night. 2008 champions St Patrick’s Donagh got the better of Enniskillen Gaels by 1-14 to 0-12 in their last eight clash on Saturday night in Lisnaskea.
Yesterday saw victories for Tempo Maguires against Derrygonnelly Harps by 1-14 to 0-5 in their quarter-final tie in Brewster Park. They will face Erne Gaels Belleek after they narrowly defeated St Joseph’s Ederney 0-8 to 0-7 in Irvinestown.
