ANTRIM
Loughgiel Shamrocks will face St John’s in the Antrim Senior Hurling Championship final after both sides triumphed in thrilling semi-finals.
Ryan McMullan’s late point clinched a dramatic extra-time win for Loughgiel over Dunloy, 3-20 to 2-22. Nigel Elliott had put Dunloy ahead after six minutes, with Keelan Molloy in fine form, but Loughgiel remained in touch, trailing 1-13 to 0-12 at halftime. With the wind behind them in the second half, goals from Dan McCloskey, James McNaughton and McMullan put Loughgiel clear. Dunloy fought back through Conal Cunning and Molloy, but McMullan’s decisive strike secured the victory.
On Saturday, St John’s reached their first final since 1994, overcoming reigning county champions Cushendall 1-26 to 1-22. Fiontan Bradley had given Cushendall a four-point half-time lead, but Neil McManus’s red card shifted momentum. Cushendall extended their lead with a Cormac Neeson goal, yet the Johnnies fought back, and Conor Johnston’s late equaliser forced extra time. St John’s then pulled ahead, with two late Shea Shannon frees sealing a memorable win.
DERRY
Slaughtneil have once again been crowned Derry senior hurling champions, securing an incredible 13th consecutive title after overpowering long-time rivals Kevin Lynch’s by 20 points.
The reigning Ulster champions were in a different class from the outset, dominating a final that was effectively decided within the first quarter. Slaughtneil stormed into a 2-7 to 0-1 lead after just 15 minutes and extended their advantage to 3-14 to 0-3 by halftime.
The second half brought little change, with a flurry of substitutions on both sides and an injury-time goal from Kevin Lynch’s standout performer, Richie Mullan, serving only as a consolation.
DOWN
Kilcoo and Carryduff have secured their places in the Down Senior Football Championship final.
Ceilum Doherty’s late point clinched a thrilling 1-15 to 0-17 win for Kilcoo over a determined Clonduff. The lead changed hands several times in a tense contest, but two key third-quarter points proved decisive for the defending champions.
In the other semi-final, Carryduff put in an impressive performance to defeat Burren 0-19 to 1-09. Pearse McCabe, Daniel Guinness and Ronan Beattie all led the charge in the Carryduff attack, each scoring three points, while Darragh Mussen netted Burren’s only goal and Ryan Trainor added three points for the defeated side.
FERMANAGH
Belleek narrowly defeated Ederney 2-11 to 2-10 in the Fermanagh Senior Football Championship semi-final.
Ederney started brightly with a goal from Shea Deazley, but Aogan Kelm quickly responded with one of his own. Ederney added a second goal just before halftime to lead by two and extended the advantage to six midway through the second half. Kelm’s second goal with five minutes remaining sparked a Belleek comeback, with Shane Rooney converting a late winner to seal victory.
They’ll face Derrygonnelly in the final, who overcame Teemore without fuss, 3-16 to 0-8. Shane McGullion opened the scoring with a goal in the first minute, putting his side seven points ahead at halftime. Conall Rasdale’s second goal and Aidan Duffy’s third extended the lead to ten, rounding off a commanding win.
MONAGHAN
In the Monaghan Senior Football Championship, Magheracloone reached the semi-finals with a 2-14 to 1-5 win over Corduff. Jamie Kierans’ early goal gave them a strong start, and although Michael Connolly replied for Corduff, Magheracloone led 1-9 to 1-2 at halftime. Jack Doogan’s late deflected goal sealed their first senior semi-final appearance since 2017.
On Sunday, Scotstown secured their place in the last four with a commanding 1-22 to 0-11 win over Latton. Michael McCarville’s goal helped the victors build a five-point halftime lead, and they never looked back.
TYRONE
The Tyrone Hurling Final went down to the wire as Seamus Sweeney’s goal three minutes into added time secured a sixth consecutive county title for Éire Óg Carrickmore, edging out Eoghan Ruadh Dungannon 2-15 to 0-18.
Dungannon had dominated the first half, with Mickey Little spearheading their attack to build a four-point lead at the interval.
Carrickmore, led by Aidy Kelly, fought back with a second-half goal to take the lead. Turlough Mullin briefly put Eoghan Ruadh ahead late on, but Shea Munroe equalised before Sweeney’s dramatic late major sealed the win.
By Michael Devlin Mon 6th Oct
