John Ivory gives a round up of the county finals.
Hurling
Limerick SHC:
Kilmallock 1-15 Na Piarsaigh 0-14, Gaelic Grounds
Kilmallock shocked Na Piarsaigh to win the Limerick title for the 11th time. Eoin Ryan’s early goal helped Kilmallock to a 1-09 to 0-05 half time lead, despite having Liam Walsh sent off before the break. Like true champions, Na Piarsaigh never gave up but it was to be Kilmallock’s day.
Offaly SHC:
Kilcormac/Killoughey 2-18 St Rynagh’s 1-9, O’Connor Park
Kilcormac/Killoughey cruised to their third title in a row with a double scores victory on Sunday. Conor’s Mahon’s early goal has the two time reigning champs ahead, but St Rynagh’s fought back to trail by two at the interval. Kilcormac/Killoughey powered home in the second half as a Dan Currams goal sealed the tie.
Westmeath SHC:
Castlepollard 1-9 Raharney 2-12, Cusack Park
Raharney clinched their first Westmeath title since 2010 with a six point win over Castlepollard. Goals from Ciaran Doyle and Brian Connaughton proved to be the difference. ‘Pollard went in seven down at half time, but bravely battled back to just three with a few remaining, however Raharney hung on.
Wexford SHC:
Shelmaliers 0-13 St Annes 1-10, Wexford Park
They’ll have to do it again in Wexford thanks to a late point by Ciaran O’Shaughnessy of Shelmaliers. A Liam Rochford goal in the second minute had St Anne’s ahead, however they couldn’t pull away. Only a couple of points ever separated the sides and come the final whistle, O’Shaughnessy ensured there would be a replay.
Football
Mayo SFC:
Ballintubber 2-9 Castlebar Mitchels 1-9, MacHale Park
Two goals in the first ten minutes from O’Connor brothers Padraic and Cillian saw Ballintubber crowned Mayo senior football champions. The reigning champions Castlebar fought back to trail by just two at the break and when Barry Moran goaled the sides were level. However, Ballintubber finished strong to clinch victory.
Cork SFC:
Ballincollig 1-13 Carbery Rangers 1-10, Pairc Ui Chaoimh
Ballincollig won their first ever title in their first ever final, as they came back from seven points down to claim a historic victory. Carbery played well with the wind in the first period, but only led by one. John Kelly’s second half goal was the difference as late points sealed the win.
Roscommon SFC:
St Brigids 3-12 St Faithleach’s 0-7, Dr Hyde Park
St Brigids overpowered St Faithleach’s to claim their fifth Roscommon title in a row. Frankie Dolan and Senan Kilbride did most of the damage for Brigids as they notched up 1-8 and 2-1 respectively. Dolan’s seventh minute goal helped them to a nine point half time lead. It was plain sailing though as Kilbride’s double sealed victory.
Kildare SFC:
Moorefield 0-16 Sarsfields 1-13, Newbridge
Moorefield pulled off a heroic late comeback to draw against Sarsfields thanks to Adam Tyrell’s late point. A 17th minute goal from Declan McKenna had Sarsfields ahead, but they trailed by one at half time. In the second half, Sars hit seven points and were five up with ten to go, only to be reeled in.
Laois SFC:
Arles-Killeen 0-9 Portlaoise 2-14, O’Moore Park
Portlaoise strolled to their 8th title in a row with an easy 11 point win. Arles-Killeen started well and were 0-3 to 0-1 ahead, but a rally before the break saw Portlaoise four to the good. Paul Cahillane and substitute Ricky Maher goaled for Portlaoise to seal another SFC title for the men in green and white.
Meath SFC:
Donaghmore/Ashbourne 2-9 O’Mahonys 2-11, Pairc Tailteann
Navan O’Mahonys recovered from conceding two early goals to claim their 19th Meath SFC title. Ruairi O Coileain’s second half goal put O’Mahonys ahead and they never looked back. Jake Regan bagged a second and they were six ahead with ten remaining. A late string of point by Donaghmore/Ashbourne couldn’t save them as O’Mahonys held on for victory.
Waterford SFC:
Stradbally 0-6 The Nire 0-11, Fraher Field
Conor Gleeson stole the show as he hit five points for The Nire on their way to secured the Waterford SFC title. Stradbally started well, but against a strong wind found themselves 0-6 to 0-2 down at the interval. The second half was closely contested but The Nire prevailed by five.
By John Ivory