Division 1A – Madden 1-10 Clann Eireann 3-13
Clann Eireann claimed the Division 1A league title on Friday evening with a nine-point win over title contenders Madden.
In a straight shootout between the two, goals from Conor Turbitt, Conor McConville and Tiernan Kelly made the difference.
The first half was a closely contested affair, with the sides tied three points apiece after then minutes.
Ryan Henderson and Turbitt put the visitors two up while Ciaran Rafferty traded scores with Daniel Magee.
Grimley and Turbitt exchanged frees, before ‘Turbo’ rattled the net to hand his side a 1-8 to 0-5 half time lead.
Madden closed the gap at the start of the second half with scores from Grimley (2) and Joe Sheridan.
But the Lurgan men pushed further ahead, with Tiernan Kelly setting up a flicked Conor McConville goal.
Grimley pulled one back while Turbitt and Henderson split the posts. Sheridan then claimed Madden’s first major top close the gap to four.
A further 1-1 from Kelly, along with a Ruairi McDonald score, sealed the deal for Ruairi Lavery’s side.
Granemore 1-9 Ballymacnab 0-12
A second half penalty from Odhran Doyle secured Granemore’s Division 1A status as they relegated their rivals Ballymacnab.
The Nab needed to pick up the two points on offer to remain in the topflight, while Granemore only needed a draw.
An Oisin McGivern score tied things up 0-3 apiece, while two further points from Chris Kerr and Ryan Kennedy put the visitors 5-3 up at the break.
Granemore got back on level terms early in the second period, with points from midfielders Brendan Boylan and Pete Carr.
Louis Hughes nudged the hosts ahead before Michael King claimed his first before Kieran Hughes narrowed the gap.
Cathal O’Hare was dragged down in the square. Doyle stood up to slot the ball to the bottom corner and give Granemore a four-point cushion.
Two Rory Grugan frees narrowed the deficit but another from Carr retained Granemore’s three-point advantage.
Ryan Watters knocked over two point before Hughes chipped in with another from the dead ball.
Grugan tapped over two further scores, but it wasn’t enough for the Nab to retain their top tier status.
Elsewhere in Division 1A, Crossmaglen saw off Armagh Harps by seven-points, winning 1-16 to 1-9.
Killeavy saw off Mullaghbawn away from home with six-points to spare in the end, 1-14 to 1-8.
Division 1B – Dromintee 0-14 Silverbridge 1-12
Silverbridge picked up the first piece of silverware of 2023 with a one-point win over Dromintee.
The Bridge were the better team during the opening half and led by six points at the short whistle, 0-10 to 0-4.
Dromintee battled back bravely in the second period and narrowed the gap to just three midway through the second half.
They eventually got back on level terms, with the sides tied on 0-12 apiece before Silverbridge got their noses ahead.
A converted penalty from Sean Conlon put Colm Nally’s side in control and secured the league title for Silverbridge.
Clan na Gael earned a top four finish with as they saw off Maghery away from home by the minimum of margins.
Aidan Forker rattled the net twice for the hosts, but the Clans held on to win by one, 2-10 to 2-9 with goals from Shane McPartland and Sean Mackle.
Shane O’Neill’s saw off Sarsfields 1-13 to 1-9 while St Peter’s defeated Grange 3-3 to 1-7.
