Football

Ladies' football champions dethroned in Cavan and Tyrone

Reigning Ulster champions Donaghmoyne are leading the way in Monaghan as they seek a 20th consecutive senior county title
Reigning Ulster champions Donaghmoyne are leading the way in Monaghan as they seek a 20th consecutive senior county title

REIGNING champions in both Cavan and Tyrone bowed out of this year's club championships over the weekend as the action hits the business end across the counties.

Geraldine Smith struck late to send Killygarry into their first Cavan senior championship final when they sent reigning champions Crosserlough packing on Sunday afternoon. It completed a remarkable comeback as they had trailed by six points entering the final quarter.

Sinead Levingstown give them a lifeline with their first goal before Smith struck the winner in added time to run out 2-8 to 1-8 winners. They will now face last year’s runners-up Lurgan who came through another thrilling encounter against Drumlane. The eventual winners had to recover from two early Erin Longair goals as Drumlane raced six clear.

However, inspired by Ciara Lynch they battled back to lead at the break by five and held off a brave Drumlane side to run out winners 3-11 to 2-11 in the end.

In Tyrone, holders Carrickmore are out after losing to Killeeshil 3-7 to 1-8 on Sunday. Chloe Collins struck for two early goals to lay the foundation for the win but when Ciara Donnelly netted their third goal just two points had separated the sides at the time.

Elsewhere, St Macartans proved too hot for Aodh Ruadh 3-9 to 0-7 and Sperrin Og overcame Trillick 4-10 to 1-4. Also into the semi-finals are Errigal Ciaran after receiving a walkover from Aghyaran.

The Down final will take place this Sunday with holders Bredagh taking on Castlewellan. The reigning champions saw off Carryduff while Castlewellan overcame Bryansford in their semi-final. Bredagh will also be represented in the intermediate final when the ‘B’ side take on Burren while Saul lifted the junior crown at the weekend when they beat Warrenpoint in the final.

The Monaghan championship remains at the group stages but Ulster champions Donaghmoyne continue to lead the way as they eye a 20th successive county title. They made it five wins from five when they beat Emyvale to cement their place in top spot.

Emyvale remain in second place while it looks like the remaining semi-final spots will be contested by three teams with O’Neill Shamrocks, Emmet Og and Scotstown battling it out for two spots. The Blues had a good win over Magheracloone, while Emmett Og defeated Latton.

Both sides meet this weekend in huge clash with the winner taking a big step towards making sure of a semi-final spot.

It is semi-finals time in Donegal this Sunday morning as Glenfin welcome Moville and Termon will also have home advantage when they face Naomh Conail. Both home sides will be expected to advance and set up a repeat meeting of the big two in the final yet again.

The action last weekend was in both the junior and intermediate grades with Dungloe and Gaoth Dobhair booking their spots in the junior decider.

Steelstown will be hoping to make it three in-a-row in Derry as they take on Ballymaguigan in Sunday’s decider. The City side booked their place in the final with a convincing win over Magherafelt the last day out while Ballymaguigan saw off Faughanvale in their semi-final on Monday evening. Steelstown lost out in last year’s Ulster Intermediate final at the hands of Kinawley.

The Fermanagh side will contest their county final against Derrygonnelly. Both sides came through a group that also included Enniskillen Gaels and after the round robin games Kinawley topped the group winning both outings.

The Antrim senior championship also consists of just three teams with St Paul’s, Naomh Brid and holders Moneyglass contesting the title. The opening game saw a Orleighan McGuinness goal seal a good win for St Pauls’ over Naomh Brid while Moneyglass also had too much for Naomh Brid in their meeting.

Armagh Harps kept their hopes of retaining the title alive when their easily progressed to the last four with victory over Grange 2-16 to 1-5. They will be joined in the semi-finals by Clann Eireann, Carrickcruppen and Silverbridge who also recorded victories over the weekend.