Aughawillan became the first Leitrim side to claim a win in the AIB Connacht SFC since 2005, while in Leinster there were preliminary round wins for Rhode and Rathnew this afternoon.
In their first game in 20 years in the provincial series, Ciaran Gilheany scored 1-08 as Aughawillan registered a hard earned 2-12 to 0-13 quarter-final win over Sligo champions Tubbercurry at Markievicz Park.
Weather conditions played their part in this encounter early on with just one score registered inside the opening 12 minutes.
Sligo senior player David Kelly braved the elements to fire Tubbercurry into the lead inside 90 seconds of the throw-in, and his side moved 0-03 to 0-00 clear by the 13th minute following scores from Cian Killoran and Stephen Matthews.
Gilheany ended the Aughawillan drought with the first of his four first half points, but it wasn’t until Rory McTague bagged the game’s opening goal in the 28th minute that the visitors moved in front.
That score pushed them 1-04 to 0-06 ahead and they could have had a second goal before the break, but Daniel McDonagh pulled off a fine save from a Gilheany goal shot.
The sides were tied for the first time at the interval, with a third Matthews point ensuring a 1-04 to 0-07 half-time score.
Tubbercurry regained the lead on the restart but a brace of Sean Fox scores pushed Aughawillan back ahead.
With 15 minutes remaining Tubbercurry held a 0-11 to 1-06 lead, however, the dismissal of Brian Morahan saw them on the back foot in the final quarter.
Aughawillan took firm command, with Gilheaney outstanding, while Conor Magee, Plunkett and Pierce Dolan also registered scores.
Dolan’s point handed them a two-point lead in injury-time before Gilheany’s goal sealed the issue and a date with Galway’s Corofin.
Goals from Anton Sullivan and Conor McNamee helped Rhode to a 2-08 to 0-09 win over St Patrick’s at O’Connor Park in Tullamore.
Rhode came from behind early on to avenge their two-point defeat to the Louth champions at the venue three years ago.
Scores from Paddy Keenan and Karl White helped Pat’s to a 0-03 to 0-01 lead early on, but Sullivan’s 10th minute goal handed Rhode a lead they wouldn’t relinquish.
Rhode moved 1-05 to 0-04 ahead by the 23rd minute, after Niall McNamee registered his fourth point, and although Daniel O’Connor handed Pat’s a lifeline with his side’s first score in 15 minutes, a further McNamee pointed pushed Rhode to a 1-06 to 0-05 half-time lead.
Pat’s were eager on the restart but goalkeeper Ken Garry denied a Shane McCann goal effort.
Despite holding their share of possession at midfield, St Pat’s couldn’t make it count on the scoreboard with Conor McNamee claiming Rhode’s second goal nine minutes from the end, with a trio of points, including two from White, mere consolation for Pat’s late on.
Rhode now face Meath champions Navan O’Mahony’s in a fortnight at O’Connor Park.
Wicklow champions Rathnew will also return to Aughrim for their quarter-final after a 1-13 to 1-09 win over Rathvilly.
Minus Leighton Glynn, the Wicklow champions struggled against their Carlow opponents and it wasn’t until the dismissal of Brendan Murphy on a second yellow card approaching the final quarter that they kicked on.
Rathnew led by 0-07 to 1-02 at half-time, with JJ Smith netting Rathvilly’s goal.
Rathvilly worked hard on the restart and moved 1-07 to 0-09 ahead after 43 minutes
However the Carlow champions only registered two further points, and coupled with the dismissal of Murphy, Rathnew seized the initiative.
A 57th minute goal from Jody Merrigan pushed Rathnew 1-11 to 1-09 in front, with insurance points from Tommy Gill and James Stafford late on.
Connacht club SFC quarter-final
Tubbercurry 0-13 Aughawillan 2-12, Markievicz Park
Leinster club SFC first round
Rhode 2-09 St Patrick's 10, O'Connor Park
Rathnew 1-13 Rathvilly 0-9, Aughrim
