Ballymacnab 1-12 Granemore 0-14
Ballymacnab survived a scare on Friday evening when they eventually saw off their neighbours Granemore by the skin of their teeth.
The Nab were the superior outfit in the first half, but the momentum switched after the interval.
Granemore fought back with determination and courage to claw themselves back into contention.
A first half Rory Grugan goal had his side six ahead at the break, 1-10 to 0-7. That gap was closed to one by the water break, with Ballymacnab failing to score in the third quarter.
Eamon Kavanagh’s men just couldn’t grab the score to bring them back on level terms.
Granemore got up and running with a Jason O’Neill point, cancelled out by Paul Kennedy.
Rory Grugan pointed four frees and also hit the net in the opening half with a superb individual effort.
The Ballymacnab playmaker sped through the gaping defence and fired a bullet to the net.
Granemore responded with a much improved second half display. Points from Eoghan O’Neill, Jason O’Neill (2f) and Paudie Hollywood left one the difference.
The sides traded scores in the final quarter and a fine Conor McGivern save denied Granemore the goal they desperately craved.
Cathal O’Hare hit two after being introduced, while the driving runs of Kieran Doyle helped Granemore get back into the game.
Kieran Hughes split the posts from a tight angle while Ryan Watters powered over a huge score to ensure victory for the Round Towers.
The Nab now meet Pearse Og in the quarter final, with that game due to take place in two weeks’ time.
Ballymacnab Scorers: Rory Grugan 1-4 (4f), Kieran Hughes 0-3, Jack Grugan 0-2, Ryan Watters 0-2 (1f), Paul Kennedy 0-1.
Granemore: Jason O’Neill 0-4 (3f), Louis Hughes 0-2 (1f), Marty Carr 0-2 (1f), Eoghan O’Neill 0-2, Cathal O’Hare 0-2, Paudie Hollywood 0-1, Darren Rafferty 0-1.
Pearse Og 4-13 St Peter’s 3-10
This one proved to be the cliched ‘game of two halves’ as St Peter’s gave the Ogs a second half freight.
Pearse Ogs dominated the opening 30 minutes of action. Four first half goals sent Conor Clarke’s team into a commanding 4-5 to 0-4 lead.
Paul Duffy rattled the net twice (1 penalty) while Ruairi Duffy and Chris Raffety also struck goals during the opening period.
The Ogs faced a much stiffer test after the turnaround as St Peter’s came roaring back into contention.
The whites began to raise their own green flags during an enthralling final quarter to cause some concern for the opposition.
Pearse Ogs were comfortably ahead 4-10 to 0-7 at the second water break, but St Peter’s really began to apply the pressure.
Niall McConville netted twice while Michael Gogarty also closed the gap with a goal.
It wasn’t enough to change the result however and the Ogs made their way to the last eight.
Pearse Og Scorers: Paul Duffy 2-3, Ruairi Duffy 1-3, Chris Rafferty 1-0, Anto Duffy 0-2, Odhran Houlahan 0-2, Vincy Brady 0-2, Callum Murray 0-1.
St Peter’s Scorers: Niall McConville 2-6, Michael Gogarty 1-1, Danny McNally 0-2, Ryan Kelly 0-1.
Killeavy 1-14 Annaghmore 0-8
This one more or less went to form, with Killeavy getting through as expected. A dominating opening quarter saw Paul McArdle’s side progress to the last eight.
Oisin King nailed the all-important goal, after an amazing turn of pace from Ciaron O’Hanlon.
King added two points to his tally, while O’Hanlon hit the score of the game. A terrific nonchalant effort from the 45-metre line with the outside of his left boot.
Five other players got on the scoresheet as Killeavy built up a nine-point half time lead, 1-9 to 0-3.
Annaghmore’s attacking threat was dealt a cruel blow early on when they lost the accurate Connor Cullen to a nasty shoulder injury.
Tomas McCormack carried the fight up front and chipped in with a score. John McConville (45) and Matthew Willis also raised white flags in the opening half.
The underdogs were more competitive after the interval, and matched Killeavy will five points each.
Michael McNiece fired over two good scores, as did full-forward and free taker Oisin MacIomhair.
King (mark), Miceal McNamee (free) and Caolan McConville all tagged on second half scores for the eventual winners.
Annaghmore searched for a goal, but the bravery of Jamie Cosgrave and Shea Magill denied any chance of a three-pointer.
Killeavy held on comfortably in the end, with nine-points to spare at the final whistle.
Killeavy Scorers: Oisin King 1-3 (1f), Miceal McNamee 0-3 (2f), Cathal Boylan 0-2, Niall Magennis 0-2, Ciaran Cosgrove 0-1, Ciaron O’Hanlon 0-1, Caolan McConville 0-1, Conor O’Neill 0-1.
Annaghmore Scorers: Michael McNiece 0-2, Oisin MacIomhair 0-2 (2f), John McCormack 0-1 (1f), Tomas McCormack 0-1, Matthew Willis 0-1, Ciaran MacIomhair 0-1.
Crossmaglen 2-15 Madden 1-10
A glance at the scoreline doesn’t provide a proper reflection of how close this game was. But Crossmaglen were deserving winners.
Two second half Rian O’Neill goals saw the Rangers over the finishing line with a bit to spare, but it wasn’t all plain sailing.
Cross done what they do best. They didn’t panic and played their own game until the chances came.
Madden were excellent in the opening quarter and should have had three goals. Ciaran Rafferty palmed home their only three-pointer.
Stephen Kernan’s team could have had a goal themselves when James Morgan found himself through one-on-one.
Quick reactions from Jamie Sheridan turned the ball round the post and out for a 45. O’Neill slotted over the resulting dead ball as Cian McConville and Oisin O’Neill levelled the game.
Niall Smith nudged Madden ahead, but a Ronan Fitzpatrick double allowed Cross to head in at the break one in front. 0-9 to 1-5.
Conor Grimley set up scores for Niall Grimley and Joe Sheridan while Rafferty pointed to leave two the margin.
Another fantastic save from the Madden netminder denied Aaron Kernan a goal, at the expense of a second Rian O’Neill 45.
O’Neill was at the fore again when he broke through after a quick transition from defence to attack.
The rangy attacker was hauled down and duly stepped up to slot home his sides first major, leaving Cross ahead 1-12 to 1-8 at the second water break.
O’Neill punched in another goal before the full time whistle to bring his personal tally to 2-6.
Madden can be proud of their efforts but will rue their missed chances. Cross continue into the championship, where they now face Killeavy in a repeat of last years semi-final.
Crossmaglen Scorers: Rian O’Neill 2-6 (1pen, 5f), Oisin O’Neill 0-3 (1m), Cian McConville 0-2, Ronan Fitzpatrick 0-2, Stephen Morris 0-1, Caolan Finnegan 0-1.
Madden Scorers: Joe Sheridan 0-4, Ciaran Rafferty 1-0, Niall Grimley 0-2, Conor Grimley 0-2 (2f), Niall Smith 0-1, Aron McKenna 0-1.
Maghery 1-8 Armagh Harps 0-9
Saturday’s main event didn’t live up to the pre-match hype, but Maghery will care little as they did enough to get over the line.
Finnian Moriarty’s side were much the better team before the break but allowed the Harps to come back into the game.
Brian Fox’s 43rd minute goal confirmed Maghery’s spot, and Fox’s 1-1 was all his side scored in the second period.
Ryan ‘Minnie’ McShane carried the fight for the city side, that trailed by six points at the second water break.
Three Joe McElroy scores (2f) and a Tom O’Kane point closed the gap to two. But that’s as close as the Harps could get.
They failed to ripple the net, as Brian McIlmurray defended his goalmouth heroically. It was Maghery who should have raised more than one green flag.
A great diving block from Paddy Morrison kept Stefan Forker’s effort out while David Lavery side-footed a chance wide.
Brian Fox also rattled the crossbar in the opening half, during a dominant Maghery period.
Stefan Forker opened the scoring (free) and a Stephen Cusack brace got the Loughshore men off to a flyer.
A great Oisin Hughes catch and point cut the deficit, but Maghery soon led 0-7 to 0-1. O’Kane (free) and Conor Murphy closed the margin to four by the break.
The Harps fought bravely in the second half, but their long ball tactic had little success. Maghery held on for a two-point win and their title defence continues for at least another round.
Maghery: Brian Fox 1-1, Stefan Forker 0-3 (3f), Stephen Cusack 0-2, Aidan Forker 0-1, Oisin Cushnahan 0-1.
Armagh Harps Scorers: Tom O’Kane 0-4 (1f, 1m), Joe McElroy 0-3 (2f), Conor Murphy 0-1, Oisin Hughes 0-1.
Clann Eireann 3-17 Grange 0-14
A 12-point margin didn’t reflect the competitive nature of this game, particularly a feisty second half.
The tale of the game was Clann Eireann converted their goal chances, while the Grange missed all of theirs.
Twice Conan O’Carroll cleared the ball off the goal line to deny Peter Nugent’s side a goal, while Eoghan Mulholland pulled off a fine save.
Grange did have the better of the Lurgan defence for long spells. Justin Kieran, Cathal and Miceal McKenna all causing trouble.
Conor McConville caught the eye at centerfield for Clann Eireann. He was involved twice in the move that led to Dan McCarthy’s inch perfect shot to the bottom corner of the net.
Justin Kieran kept his side in touch with his superb accuracy, 1-10 to 0-8 at the break.
Grange came out all guns blazing in the second half and were back within two after nine minutes.
Conor Turbitt settled Tommy Coleman’s men while Ruairi McDonald showed his class with two super scores.
Turbitt raised the second green flag just before the water break, to put his side 2-14 to 0-14 ahead.
Clann Eireann finished strongly, hitting 1-3 in the final quarter. ‘Turbo’ swung over two scores and set up Oran McCafferty’s palmed goal.
The win sets up an interesting repeat of last years quarter final clash against Maghery. Clann Eireann will be out to right the wrongs of 2020.
Clann Eireann Scorers: Conor Turbitt 1-5 (1f), Dan McCarthy 1-1, Ruairi McDonald 0-3, Jack Conlon 0-3 (1f), Oran McCafferty 1-0, Daniel Magee 0-2, Barry McCambridge 0-1, Tiernan Kelly 0-1, Conor McConville 0-1.
Grange Scorers: Justin Kieran 0-8 (5f), Diarmuid Rafferty 0-2 (1f), Miceal McKenna 0-2, Odhran Rafferty 0-1, Ronan Mallon 0-1.
Silverbridge 2-10 Dromintee 1-12
Extra time was required to separate these sides, and even then, it was right down to the wire.
Aaron Boyle slotted home a penalty in the dying minutes of extra time, but two Silverbridge points got their noses ahead.
Oisin Murphy fisted over while Tiernan Murphy held his nerve to nail the winning free.
The torrential weather conditions denied any opportunity for free-flowing football and the sides slugged out a mistake-ridden affair.
It was all square at the break, with Ronan Reel’s finessed goal slipping under the diving goalkeeper.
Dromintee failed to score until the 26th minute of the second period, as Gareth Kilgallon fired over two huge points to level the game.
Silverbridge saw the upright work against them as both Sean Rock and Sean Conlon hit the woodwork when goals looked the likely outcome.
Ronan Quinn sent his side ahead in additional time, but scores from Jamie Martin and Reel handed the Bridge the lead.
Dromintee would get one final chance and substitute Jack McArdle nailed the final score of the half.
Silverbridge burst out of the traps during extra time, with Tiernan Murphy palming in a goal early on.
Boyle’s spot kick sent the league champions ahead, but Silverbridge were not to be denied and squeezed through to the next round.
Silverbridge Scorers: Ronan Reel 1-3 (3f), Tiernan Murphy 1-1 (1f), Jamie Martin 0-1, Oisin Murphy 0-1, Eoin Reel 0-1 (1f), Paraic Keating 0-1, Aaron Duffy 0-1, Fionnan Burns 0-1.
Dromintee Scorers: Oran Loughran 0-4 (2f), Aaron Boyle 1-0 (1 pen), Gareth Kilgallon 0-3, Niall Courtney 0-2 (2f), Ryan Hughes Snr 0-1 (1f), Ronan Quinn 0-1, Jack McArdle 0-1.
St Patrick’s 0-9 Mullaghbawn 0-8
The second game of Sunday’s double header was an intense, even affair, with Cullyhanna just sneaking over the line.
It became a shoot out of two standout attackers in the form of Aidan Nugent and Eddie English.
Both men done the majority of scoring for their respective teams, with Nugent grabbing the match-winning final score.
The Armagh star, returning after a year out through an ACL injury, recorded 0-8 of his sides overall tally.
He had the chance to rattle the net as well but saw his 56th minute penalty drag wide of the post.
English finished with five points and the pair exchanged scores on three occasions during the third quarter.
The hardworking Ross McQuillan chipped in with a score while Shea Loye and Ciaran Grant raised white flags for Mullaghbawn.
St Pat’s looked to be up against it in the final quarter, when Shea Hoey was sent to the sin bin.
Nugent nailed the only score during that ten-minute period, and it was the final point of the game.
Mullaghbawn had their noses in front at the break, leading by the minimum of margins, 0-4 to 0-3.
Aidan Nugent’s 42nd minute free put Cullyhanna ahead for the first time, but the sides were tied 0-8 apiece at the second water break.
St Patrick’s just made it through and set up a derby clash with Silverbridge in the quarter final.
St Patrick’s Scorers: Aidan Nugent 0-8 (0-6), Ross McQuillan 0-1.
Mullaghbawn Scorers: Eddie English 0-5 (2f), Shea Loye 0-2, Ciaran Grant 0-1.
