Two former All-Ireland champions fell by the wayside as Armagh kingpins Crossmaglen let a 10-point cushion slip in their Orchard semi-final clash with neighbours Cullyhanna while Glen, Watty Graham's - Andy Merrigan Cup winners two seasons ago – were hammered by Magherafelt.
At the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, all was going to plan for the Rangers with Oisín O’Neill making a blistering scoring start as they raced clear of Stephen Reel’s side.
While the impressive Jason Duffy opened the scoring with a fine two-pointer for Cullyhanna, Cross soon found their groove and led 0-15 to 0-08 at the break, and that lead was out to 10 points by the 39 minute with O’Neill again on target.
A Shea Hoey goal gave Cullyhanna hope, but Cross responded well to lead by nine once again as the game drifted towards the final 10 minutes.
The rest of the game belonged to Cullyhanna though with Aidan Nugent – who finished with 0-13 – landing a series of two-pointers in a 1-21 to 0-23 win.
Cullyhanna will face Madden in the final after the Raparees dethroned Clann Éireann on Friday, ensuring a first-time winner in Armagh regardless of the outcome.
Magherafelt eased past Glen to book their spot in the Derry final as they won 4-15 to 1-13.
The victors made a bright start with Caolan Higgins firing to the net to put them 1-03 to 0-01 ahead early on and the same player netted at the end of the half to leave them 2-12 to 0-07 ahead at the turn.
Glen started the second half well but Conor McCluskey’s goal took the sting out of their charge with Zach Gavigan adding a fourth as the game entered the final 10 minutes, ensuring Alex Doherty’s late goal was inconsequential.
Longford Slashers claimed the Longford SHC title following a 1-16 to 0-15 final replay win over Wolfe Tones.
Championship clashes between the two have been tight in recent times, the Tones edging last year’s decider, and this was no different.
That didn’t appear the case at the break as Micheál Mulcahy’s goal had Longford Slashers 1-09 to 0-05 ahead, but the Tones fought back, but were unable to reel their opponents in fully.
Tipperary SHC holders Loughmore-Castleiney remain on course to defend their title after a 1-18 to 0-15 win over Holycross-Ballycahill in front of the RTÉ cameras.
John McGrath scored nine points while Ciaran McCormack struck an early fortunate goal as their double dreams remain alive.
FT: @Loughmore_Gaa 1-18 @HolycrossBallyc 0-15
— RTÉ GAA (@RTEgaa) October 11, 2025
The defending champions through to the @TipperaryGAA hurling final
Liam McGrath with one of their clinching scores near the end #rtegaa pic.twitter.com/jyovaq989r
