Junior Championship
Clonmore hosted a newly reformed Keady side in the preliminary round of the Junior Championship.
Both sides competed in division four this year and the home side’s experience got them through this first round tie.
Six goals helped steer the way for Naomh Labhaoise, running out comfortable winners in the end, 6-17 to 3-6.
Intermediate Championship
Clan na Gael 5-7 Ballyhegan 3-9
The old saying ‘goals win games’ perfectly sums up what happened in Davitt Park on Friday evening.
When Ballyhegan got within touching distance, Clans raised a green flag to stay ahead and eventually got over the line.
Eve Lavery was the best player on show, finishing with 2-4. Her involvement ensured Ballyhegan wouldn’t go down without a fight, and she had a hand in most of their scores.
Three goals from the home side shot them ahead at the short whistle. Ella Reid’s early goal had them five points in front as early as the third minute.
Caitlin Brady’s short free ended up in the net before midfielder Clodagh Robinson drilled the ball to the bottom corner. Clans ahead 3-3 to 0-8 at the interval.
The beginning of the second period was a rollercoaster ride as both teams were denied goal chances.
Robinson rattled the post at one end, while a superb double-save by Niamh Henderson stopped Ballyhegan grabbing the goal they craved.
The Davitts dominated the first ten minutes of the second period, but just couldn’t close the gap.
The hosts scored with their first attack. Lara Marsden catching the keeper off guard with her shot bouncing over the Ballyhegan net minder.
Once again it was up to Lavery to salvage something. Her piledriver to the bottom corner offered some hope heading into the final quarter.
A yellow card saw Grace Ferguson, who was enjoying a good game, sin-binned for ten minutes, denting Ballyhegan’s chance of a revival.
Clodagh Robinson palmed home her second goal of the game, with Caitlin Brady and Elle Reid both pointing.
Ballyhegan, trailing by ten, struck two goals from Blaithnaid Hendron and an unstoppable Lavery effort from a free, to leave a nervy finish.
It wasn’t enough to get something from the game and the home side now face Killeavy in the semi-final.
Clan na Gael Scorers: Clodagh Robinson 2-0, Ella Reid 1-1, Caitlin Brady 1-1, Lara Marsden 1-0, Aimee Brady 0-2, Aoife Reid 0-1, Grace French 0-1, Angela Loughran 0-1.
Ballyhegan Scorers: Eve Lavery 2-4, Blaithnaid Hendron 1-0, Brenda McCormack 0-3, Rebecca McGeary 0-1, Nuala McKeever 0-1.
Killeavy overcame Mullabrack away from home in their quarter final clash, seeing out a ten-point win, 2-13 to 0-9.
Mullaghbawn were handsome winners in their last eight game with away to Sarsfields, 7-15 to 1-2.
Craobh Ciaran successfully saw off Cullyhanna to book their place in the last four against Mullaghbawn, winning 6-13 to 4-7.
Senior Championship
Dromahill 6-11 Crossmaglen 7-9
Dromintee hosted a hugely entertaining encounter on Sunday afternoon, with the winner unknown right up to the final whistle.
The Dromintee men’s team had just claimed the Division 1A league title hours beforehand. So the ladies looked to keep the momentum going at the St Patrick’s club.
Cross were out to spoil the party and got off to a great start. Lauren McConville, who’s midfield battle with Megan Sheridan was worth the admission fee alone, pointed before the clock reached 20 seconds.
Both sides had some amazing attackers on display, particularly Alex Clarke, who struck 4-4 in the black and Amber.
Holly Morgan (2-5) and Aoife McCoy (2-1) were responsible for most of the home sides scores, and they got Dromahill off the mark.
There was an element of luck with the games first goal. Clarke’s short free kick slipping through the defenders hands and into the net.
Aisling McMahon doubled Crossmaglen’s goal count, firing her side 2-3 to 0-4 ahead by the 11th minute.
Dromahill responded immediately, with Morgan netting after a quick free from Megan Sheridan sent her though on goal.
Two super Shauna Grey scores nudged the hosts ahead before Megan O’Callaghan tied the game.
Two goals in 20 seconds meant the Rangers held the advantage at the break. Aoibheann McConville rattled the net after Clarke had struck her second.
Morgan and Clarke exchanged scores before the short whistle sounded, Cross up 4-6 to 1-9.
Once again, the Rangers got off the mark quickly, with the unmarkable Clarke raising her third green flag sixty seconds after the turnaround.
Dromahill weren’t for lying down though. Megan Sheridan sent the ball past the helpless keeper following a crossfield pass from Shauna Grey.
The flying midfielder then turned provider, setting up Aoife McCoy for her first major to cut the deficit to four.
Like Sheridan before her, McCoy then became the supplier, offering the final pass for an Erin Douglas goal.
Alex Clarke guaranteed Cross kept in front, beautifully passing the ball to the net for her fourth of the evening.
Sheridan was involved again for Dromahill, and her driving run was illegally halted in the square. Holly Morgan stepped up to drive home the penalty.
Cross once again kept the opposition at arm’s length, when Aoibheann McConville punched the ball to the net for her second goal.
Five down and time against them, Dromahill kept fighting for their lives and Douglas tagged on another score late on.
Aoife McCoy bagged her second three-pointer of the night, but Dromahill couldn’t find a levelling score.
The Rangers will now take on last year’s winners Armagh Harps, who overcame Grange on Sunday 4-16 to 2-7.
