Camogie:
A rather fortuitous Mairin McAleenan goal on the stoke of half time was the crucial score as Liatroim Fontenoys kept on course for the sixth successive Ulster Club championship final appearance as they defeated Derry champions Lavey 4-12 to 0-7.
In an evenly balanced first half Lavey shot a number of wides yet still kept in touch until McAleenan’s goal put five points between the sides at the break.
After half-time the experienced Liatroim team moved the ball faster while Lavey held it too long and ran out of space.
Liatroim second goal came in the eighth minute of the second half from Brenda Gallagher, their third in the 19th minute from live wire full forward Catriona McCrickard and the final score in the 24th minute from Roisin O’Higgins.
All three goals came from close in and were all poached. Liatrom now meet Dunloy in an eagerly awaited semi-final which is a repeat of last year’s final, but the Down champions will need to move up a gear or two before that match.
Liatroim: J Brown, E McCrickard, D Greeran, E O’Higgins, B Kelly, N McGee (Capt), C McGovern, M Murray (0-1), S McGovern, L McCrickard, M McAleenan (1-8), B Gallagher 1- 0), R O’Higgins (1-0), C McCrickard (1-3), L Quinn.
Lavey: T McCann, C Ward, S Convery, J Scullion, D Scullion, C McCann, K Cushnahan, R McClelland, M Mulholland (Capt 0-7), B Burt, E McPeake, D McCann, P McCloy, O Downey, H Collins, subs, A McVeigh for D McCann 56 mins, C O’Neill for D Scullion 56 mins.
Referee: C O’Hara – Antrim
McCallion looks set to re-sign for Cliftonville
CLIFTONVILLE’S playmaker Tommy McCallion is expected to re-sign for the Solitude club this week, but striker Sean Murray’s future remains unclear, according to Reds boss Marty Quinn.
The 22-year-old McCallion, who had an outstanding season for the Reds last year, had talks with Quinn after Saturday’s pre-season game with Ilkeston Town.
Quinn said: “The discussions we’ve had with Tommy have been very positive. We play Swindon Town at Solitude on Wednesday night and I would be hopeful of Tommy signing on the dotted line for us again.
“He has a few days to think things over, so we will know for sure on Wednesday.”
The Derry student turned out in his usual number seven jersey in Cliftonville’s 3-0 loss to the English non-league side.
The Solitude club’s fiscal policy means that Quinn has the traditional shoestring budget to manage – a situation he is not unaccustomed to at the club.
Quinn is determined to trim the Solitude wage bill this term admitting that it “got out of hand” at the club last year.
He hasn’t ruled out a new face or two though before the start of the new season.
He said: “We have approached a few players, but meeting their demands has always been the sticking point, but I still hope to have one or two new faces in.”
Monaghan Senior Football Championship:
Finn Valley into last four FINN Valley (the Clones, Currin, Killeevan combination) sent mild shock waves through the ACC Bank Senior Football Championship when they sensationally dumped senior side Donaghmoyne out of the series on a 1-11 to 2-7 scoreline in Aughnamullen yesterday.
While there was only one point in it at the finish, Finn Valley were well worthy of their victory and it was two late late goals for Donaghmoyne that gave the impression of a closer contest.
