Craobh Rua 3-10 St Eunan’s 2-8
Craobh Rua secured their spot in the Ulster Junior semi-finals with a win over Donegal champions St Eunan’s.
The two-in-a-row Armagh champions finally got a crack at the Ulster championship, after the competition wasn’t played last season.
Two first half goals from Armagh footballing star Jarly Og Burns helped the Camlough man over the line.
Tiarnan O’Hare, Man of the Match from the county final, fired over five frees while Ryan Lewis rattled off 1-2.
Conor McKevitt and O’Hare claimed early scores to give Craobh Rua a lead that they would keep for the remainder of the contest.
Burns’ first major along with a Lewis point split two efforts from the visitors. O’Hare slotted over two 65’s while younger brother Oisin also got on the score sheet.
Jarly Og rattled the net for a second time, followed by scores from the accurate O’Hare and Fiachra Bradley.
St Eunan’s replied as Craobh Rua carried a comfortable 2-8 to 0-4 lead into the break.
O’Hare and Lewis traded scores with the opposition before Conor O’Grady netted for the away team to close the gap to five.
The Armagh winners replied emphatically as Ryan Lewis raised a green flag. St Eunan’s claimed their second goal, but the Camlough men were too far ahead by that stage.
Paul Cunningham’s men take on Antrim’s Con Magee’s, who saw off Naomh Colum Cille (Tyrone), in the last four.
Craobh Rua Scorers: Jarly Og Burns 2-0, Tiarnan O’Hare 0-5 (5f), Ryan Lewis 1-2, Conor McKevitt 0-1, Oisin O’Hare 0-1, Fiachra Bradley 0-1.
Middletown 2-18 Castleblaney 0-18
Goals win games and that proved true once again as Middletown booked their place in the next round of the Intermediate Ulster championship.
The men in black and white have dominated the Armagh championship in recent years and now look to add provincial success to their record.
Kieran Hughes’ men have twice been crowned Ulster champions and Saturday’s win sent them through to the last four.
Ryan Gaffney netted inside the opening six minutes, following scores from Dean Gaffney (free) and Ben Toal.
Monaghan star Fergal Rafter pulled back two scores before Toal slotted over his second of the evening.
The pair traded scores, while Rafter and Niall Garland nailed frees to narrow the gap to the minimum.
Scores through Cahal Carvill, Dean and Ryan Gaffney opened a four-point margin. Carvill split two Blaney points to see his side up 1-9 to 0-9 at the half time interval.
Marty Moan extended the lead before Ryan Gaffney doubled his goal tally. Paddy McBride, Dean and Ryan Gaffney added points to see Middletown into a nine-point advantage.
Dean Gaffney split seven scores from Castleblaney while Toal chipped in with another to keep the Monaghan winners at arm’s length.
Carvill, Ryan and Dean Gaffney brought the scoring to an end, with Middletown up by six at the full-time whistle.
Middletown now take on Banagher in the semi finals of the Intermediate Hurling championship in two weeks time.
Middletown Scorers: Ryan Gaffney 2-3, Dean Gaffney 0-6 (6f), Ben Toal 0-4, Cahal Carvill 0-3, Marty Moan 0-1, Paddy McBride 0-1.
