CORK SFC
Divisional outfit Duhallow will contest their first county senior football decider since 1998 after they claimed a semi-final victory over O’Donovan Rossa by 0-13 to 0-7 in Páirc Ui Rinn on Saturday night.
Duhallow, who lead by 0-6 to 0-5 at the interval, pulled clear in the finish to win by five points with Cork senior football duo Aidan Walsh and Donncha O’Connor, and Cork hurler Lorcan McLoughlin involved in their side.
They will now feature in the final on October 28th. But their opponents still have to be determined with Bishopstown facing Carbery Rangers in a quarter-final tie next Saturday and the winners of that game will face last year’s finalists Castlehaven in the semi-final on October 20th.
Also on Saturday, St Nicholas retained their senior football status for 2013 with a 1-9 to 0-10 success over Na Piarsaigh in Saturday evening’s relegation final in Páirc Uí Rinn.
CLARE
Last year’s beaten finalists St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield have qualified for the decider again with Ivor Whyte hitting the winning point as they claimed a 0-7 to 0-6 semi-final victory over Doonbeg in Milltown-Malbay yesterday.
The teams were tied at 0-3 apiece at the interval. St Joseph’s Doora-Barefield forged ahead by 0-6 to 0-4 entering the final quarter before Doonbeg drew level yet a last-gasp point by Whyte secured the spoils.
They will have to wait to discover the identity of their final opponents as it finished Kilmurry-Ibrickane 0-9 Kilrush Shamrocks 1-6 in the other semi-final which was played on Saturday in Doonbeg. A Jim Young pointed free rescued a draw for a Kilrush Shamrocks team who trailed by 0-6 to 1-2 at the interval. Ian McInerney was on target with accurate free-taking for Kilmurry-Ibrickane while Ruairi O’Connor registered the goal for Kilrush Shamrocks.
Meanwhile the senior hurling semi-final line-up was completed over the weekend with Cratloe defeating Kilmaley by 3-13 to 1-9 in their quarter-final replay yesterday. The winners were inspired by a hat-trick of goals from Clare U21 Cathal McInerney to secure their victory.
Cratloe lead by 1-5 to 0-4 at the interval before powering clear in the second-half. Colin Lynch grabbed a late consolation goal for Kilmaley but it was Cratloe who advanced to a semi-final meeting with Inagh-Kilnamona.
Cathal McInerney grabbed a hat-trick for Cratloe yesterday. Pic: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan
KERRY
Ballyduff clinched their third successive county senior hurling title with a 1-15 to 1-9 win over Lixnaw in Austin Stack Park yesterday. The winners lead by 1-5 to 0-5 at the interval with Aidan Boyle firing home their goal.
They maintained control in the second-half and Michael Conway’s late goal was a consolation effort for Lixnaw. Ballyduff now go forward to the Munster IHC club semi-final on November 4th where they will face Ballinhassig (Cork) or Limerick representatives (Ballybrown or Dromin-Athlacca).
TIPPERARY
Reigning champions Drom-Inch will face Thurles Sarsfields in next Sunday’s county senior hurling final after both claimed semi-final victories yesterday in Semple Stadium. The tie will be a repeat of the 2005 and 2009 deciders, both of which were won by Thurles Sarsfields.
Drom-Inch got the better of Loughmore-Castleiney by 2-26 to 1-21 after extra-time with Seamus Callanan in inspirational form as he struck 2-13. The winners lead by 0-5 to 0-1 after 10 minutes and by the interval were still in front by 0-10 to 0-7.
However Loughmore-Castleiney moved in front in the second-half with Noel McGrath firing a penalty to the net and John McGrath also on target with points to put them ahead by 1-12 to 0-13 with ten minutes left.
But Drom-Inch reclaimed the initiative when Callanan found the net and it took a late Eddie Connolly point to rescue Loughmore-Castleiney and deliver extra-time as it finished 1-18 apiece. In extra-time Drom-Inch took control with Callanan finding the net and Loughmore-Castleiney’s prospects were hit by the sending-off of Liam Treacy.
In the first semi-final Thurles Sarsfields were too strong for Éire Óg-Annacarty by 2-22 to 1-13. Denis Maher’s goal proved the crucial score in keeping Thurles Sarsfields ahead at the break by 1-11 to 0-10. Aidan McCormack fired home a second goal for Thurles Sarsfields in the second-half to seal their victory while Michael McGrath netted a consolation effort for Éire Óg-Annacarty.
