St Colmans were crowned C2 security Junior A Champions after a thriller on Sunday evening in Duggan Park Ballinasloe. While the conditions were not favourable for either side both sides played out a classic.
They opened the scoring with points from player of the match, Rachel Burke and Rachel Linnane in the opening minutes. Roisin Hughes reponded with two points, one from a free, and Sinead Minihan also added a point to Liam Mellows' tally to leave it 0-3 to 0-2 in favour of Mellows in the opening six minutes.
Chelsea Nolan and Hughes exchanged frees before Ciara Helebert hit the back of the net for St Colmans on the 12th minute to give them the lead they would never relinquish. Nolan added two more frees and Burke added a point while Hughes, Ciara Dolan and Minihan all contributed to Liam Mellows' tally to leave it St Colmans 1-6 Liam Mellows 0-7 at half time.
In what was a low scoring half from both sides, Hughes added two more points for Mellows on the restart to bring the sides level again but a goal from substitute Caragh Loughrey insured that St Colmans restored a three-point lead. Hughes responded with points on the 41st and 50th minutes to leave one point in it but substitute Chloe Cahill replied for St Colmans on the 53rd minute to leave two between the sides heading into the final few minutes.
Hughes added her fifth free of the half for Liam Mellows but it was too little too late as St Colmans ran out victors on a score line of St Colmans 2-7 Liam Mellows 0-12.
Athenry and Mullagh were victorious in the Window and Rooflights LTD Senior A Quarter finals. Athenry overcame Davitts in an exciting contest in Loughrea. Goals from Eimear Keane, Therese Donohue and Noreen Coen ensured that Athenry got over the line. Maria Breheny did try to claw it back with a goal for Davitts on the 58th minute but it was too late with Athenry running out 3-11 to 2-12 winners on the day.
Athenry will now take on Sarsfields in the Semi Final on Saturday at 12:45 in Kilbeacanty. Both sides met in the opening round of games this year in an exciting contest, with Sarsfields running out two-point victors on the day. While there is very little between the teams, Sarsfields, who are the regining All Ireland Champions, will be carrying the favours tag on the day.
Mullagh overcame Carnmore comfortably on Saturday. County stars, Aoife Donohue and Sarah Dervan were key to the victory for Mullagh while Galway minor Alannah Fahy did most of the scoring for Carnmore on the day. Mullagh ran out 3-13 to 1-7 winners and now face Oranmore Maree in the Semi Final at 11AM on Saturday in Kilbeacanty.
Both sides met in round two of the championship this year with Oranmore-Maree running out 1-13 to 1-7 winners on the day. Ailish O’Reilly and Eimear O’Donovan were key to this victory earlier in the year but it is safe to say that Mullagh, who have a lot of experience on their side, have improved throughout the year and this game could go down to the wire.
In the Senior B Championship, Clarinbridge ran out easy victors over a young Kinvara team, while St Thomas’ had an impressive second half performance to overcome Eyrecourt in a wet and windy Duggan Park on Sunday. Clarinbridge will now face Davitts, while St Thomas will face Carnmore on the weekend of the 22nd and 23rd of October in the Semi Finals.
In the Duanes Hardware Intermediate Championship, Killimor had a two point victory over Ahascragh Caltra on Friday night in a physical battle in Mullagh. A goal in each half helped seal the deal for Killimor as they ran out winners on a scoreline 2-6 to 0-10. Killimor will face Castlegar on Saturday in Bullaun at 11AM.
Shamrocks ran out easy winners against Pearses on Saturday in Tynagh. The youthful Shamrocks side had simply too much for Pearses and they ran out 3-14 to 1-6 winners on the day. They now face Salthill Knocknacarra in a repeat of the 2021 semi-final. This was an exciting game last year with the sides requiring extra time to separate them last year. This game takes place in Ballinderreen at 5PM on Saturday.
