Munster SHC quarter-final
Clare 1-22 Waterford 0-21
CLARE were dominant in Semple Stadium yesterday as they saw off Waterford to book their place in the semi-finals of the Munster SHC.
Tony Kelly was the star of the show for the Banner, hitting a total of 1-12 – the goal coming from a penalty. While Clare were fastest out of the traps, hitting the first four points of the game to ensure they never trailed, they didn’t have it their own way throughout. Last year’s All-Ireland finalists eventually managed a run of 0-7 between the 60th and 70th minutes, with Austin Gleeson hitting the last of them to leave the Déise only three adrift, 1-21 to 0-21.
But Clare weren't to be denied as Ballyea man Kelly clipped over a late point from play to kill off the Waterford momentum and confirm a meeting with Tipperary this weekend.
Leinster SHC quarter-final
Wexford 5-31 Laois 1-23
WEXFORD set up a Leinster semi-final date with Kilkenny thanks to a big win over Laois in Nowlan Park on Saturday.
The Yellowbellies were effectively home and hosed by half-time – leading by 1-20 to 0-10 – and second-half goals from Conor McDonald (two), Lee Chin – on his 100th appearance – and substitute David Dunne put the icing on the cake.
Joe McDonagh Cup Group A
Carlow 2-22 Kildare 3-16
A BRACE of late goals from Kevin McDonald proved crucial for Carlow as they overcame the challenge of Kildare at St Conleth’s Park yesterday. The Barrowsiders will now face Westmeath at Cullen Park this weekend.
Christy Ring Cup Group A
Wicklow 2-18 Roscommon 1-11
MIKEY Lee was man of the match for Wicklow as they dismissed Roscommon at Aughrim on Saturday. Andy O’Brien also starred as the Garden strolled to a comfortable first day victory.
Nickey Rackard Cup Group A
Donegal 0-17 Mayo 2-14
A FREAK injury-time goal turned a Donegal victory into heart-breaking defeat at a sunny O’Donnell Park on Saturday, writes Gerry McLaughlin.
A long ball into the Donegal defence saw a mix up between the otherwise excellent ’keeper Luke White and Christopher McDermott. The sliotar then slid into the path of Mayo’s former football Allstar Keith Higgins, who calmly stroked into the empty net. Higgins’ late smash and grab levelled matters at 2-11 to 0-17.
And shell-shocked Donegal, who badly missed their injured talisman Danny Cullen, Gerard Gilmore and Conor O’Grady, just did not have the energy to hit back as Mayo’s outstanding Shane Boland landed the crucial final points.
It looked like the outstanding Declan Coulter had secured victory for Donegal when he hit some superb points into the breeze to put the home side into a 0-17 to 1-10 lead with normal-time almost up. But a previously quiet Higgins sprang to life with a mighty point from the side-line before that killer goal.
Lory Meagher Cup Group A
Longford 8-25 Louth 3-19
LONGFORD reached a mammoth 49-point total in beating Louth at Pearse Park on Saturday. Longford had five of their goals within the first 15 minutes as they blasted out of the traps.
