HURLING
In Kilkenny, five-in-a-row chasers Ballyhale Shamrocks came out of the blocks fast to swat Glenmore aside on a 3-26 to 0-20 scoreline. TJ Reid scored three points from play and another three from frees.
The champions racked up 2-18 in the first half alone with county star Eoin Cody to the fore while Colin Fennelly made his first appearance of the year after returning from the US.
Brian Cody made a winning start as part of the James Stephens management team as they eased past Lisdowney in the first round. Despite goals from David O'Carroll in each half, The Village were six points up at half-time and ran out 1-25 to 2-14 winners, Tadhg O'Dwyer finding the net for the victors.
Erin’s Own also advanced to the quarter-finals after pulling clear in the second half against Graigue-Ballycallan. There were just three points between the sides at the break but Jamie Hoolahan’s late goal put the icing on the cake for a 1-20 to 0-11 win.
The quarter-final draw has pitted Shamrocks against Clara, Tullaroan v Erin’s Own, Bennetsbridge against James Stephens and Dicksboro versus Mullinavat.
Limerick forward Tom Morrissey scored 1-13 as his Ahane side avoided relegation with a 1-22 all draw against Na Piarsaigh, who had won all of their previous games.
Ex-county star Kevin Downes bagged 1-10 for the city side, who fought back from seven points down and progress straight to the semi-finals after topping Group 1.
Kilmallock also advanced to the last four after a 0-24 to 1-21 draw with Doon, for whom Pat Ryan scored 1-02 from play.
Doon finished third and will face South Liberties or Kildimo-Pallaskenry in a quarter-final. Patrickswell also qualified with a 1-21 to 2-12 win over relegated Adare.
In Laois, last year’s Leinster runners-up Clough/Ballacolla are one step away from their third consecutive title after beating Castletown 2-21 to 1-14 in the last four.
The champions were a point behind at half-time, 1-07 to 0-09, after Conor Phelan hit the net. But 13 points from Stephen 'Picky’ Maher and goals from Willie Dunphy and John O’Dwyer sealed a 2-21 to 1-14 win.
In the second semi, Camross had two points to spare over Rathdowney-Errill – 1-23 to 2-18 - to set up a rematch of the 2017 decider. Daniel Delaney’s goal just before half-time put Camross into a lead they never relinquished despite a late rally from Rathdowney-Errill.
Kilcormac Killoughey will face Shinrone in the Offaly senior final after a dominant display against Birr. The 2017 champions were up by double scores at half-time – 1-11 to 0-07 – following Alex Kavanagh’s ninth-minute goal and closed it out 1-19 to 0-17.
In Galway, last year's beaten finalists Clarinbridge and Castlegar played out a 1-24 apiece draw that leaves The Bridge in third place in Group 1 and took previously pointless Castlegar off joint bottom.
Sarsfields are a point behind Clarinbridge in fourth, and the last quarter-final spot, with one round to play after inflicting Killimordaly's fourth successive defeat, 3-17 to 0-13. Kevin Cooney, Alex Connaire and Jeffrey Lawless all found the net while Killimordaly’s county star Brian Concannon was sent off in the closing stages.
In Group 2, Tommy Larkins moved into second place and secured at least a quarter-final spot with a 4-16 to 0-16 hammering of Craughwell. Cian Duggan, Jason Flynn, Conor Gardiner and Gerard Kelly all raised green flags.
In the meeting of the two teams in the group still without a win, Gort were comprehensive winners over Kilconieron - 2-30 to 0-12 – in Loughrea to set up an effective quarter-final play-off against Craughwell.
Portumna and Moycullen are both on course to take the two quarter-final spots on offer to Senior B teams as they maintained their 100% records.
FOOTBALL
The make-up of the Dublin SFC semi-finals has been confirmed - Ballyboden St Endas will take on Na Fianna and Thomas Davis will lock horns with Kilmacud Crokes.
In the first of today's concluding quarter-finals at Parnell Park, Ballyboden were given a stern test by Ballinteer St Johns in the opening half before showing their quality after the break.
Jack Lundy gave the underdogs an early boost with a penalty, but 'Boden responded through a Warren Egan goal and led by three at the interval. Upon the resumption, their nous shone through and eased through the gears.
Egan and Darren O’Reilly raised green flags, and while two goals in three minutes close to the end reduced the margin for the losers, Ballyboden ran out 3-15 to 3-10 winners, with substitute Conal Keaney, who turns 40 next week, kicking the final two points of the contest.
2019 county finalists Thomas Davis were always in control of their quarter-final clash with Castleknock. Five points to the good at the break, the Tallaght-based side effectively ended the game as a contest two minutes after the resumption when Eamon Conroy found the back of the net.
Meanwhile, Raheny secured their place in Senior 1 football with a 1-11 to 0-09 points over neighbours Clontarf in their relegation play-off at St Margaret’s.
Mid Kerry, Dr Crokes, Kenmare Shamrocks, Feale Rangers and Dingle all progressed to the quarter-finals of the Kerry championship.
In the second round of the group stages, Mid Kerry had four points to spare over Na Gaeil, while Crokes eased to a 2-19 to 1-12 win over Shannon Rangers.
Kenmare Shamrocks reeled off the last four points of the game to win by three against St Kieran’s and Feale Rangers advanced courtesy of a 2-13 to 0-13 success over South Kerry.
Goals from Paul Geaney in either half propelled Dingle to a crushing 3-15 to 0-10 win over Kerins O’Rahillys, with Barry O’Sullivan rounding off the scoring with their third green flag of the afternoon.
Naomh Conaill completed the semi-final line-up in Donegal with a 2-10 to 0-10 win over Glenswilly.
Michael Murphy’s point from a mark was the final score of the opening half hour but while Glenswilly held a two-point advantage, they should have been further ahead, reaching double-digits on the wide front before the interval.
Naomh Conaill then hit something of a purple patch, hitting 1-02 without reply, while Leo McLoone’s goal put further daylight between the sides as they ran out eventual six-point winners.
Their prize is a semi-final date with Gaoth Dobhair, with Kilcar v St Eunan's the other side of the draw.
The Cork championship has been whittled down to four after Ballincolling became the final team into the semi-finals.
They will take on Nemo Rangers for a place in the decider after a 4-11 to 1-15 win over west Cork divisional side Carbery, where two second half goals from Darren Murphy helped them to a five-point win.
The other semi-final will see Castlehaven will meet St Finbarr's for the right to advance to the decider.
Goals proved decisive for Naas as they secured their place in the Kildare county final at the expense of Celbridge.
In a game that was finely posed at five points apiece at the break, two second-half goals from Darragh Kirwan were pivotal in a 2-11 to 0-14 win at Newbridge.
In Wicklow, Baltinglass set up a date against St. Patrick's in the county final with a 2-11 to 2-09 victory over An Tóchar in Aughrim.
