Cuala to face Kilmacud in Dublin semi-final as Offaly, Wexford and Laois champions all progress

THE REIGNING SENIOR hurling champions in Dublin, Offaly, Wexford and Laois are all still on course to retain their titles after the weekend’s action.

All-Ireland club kingpins Cuala booked a Dublin semi-final spot this afternoon while St Martin’s reached the last four in Wexford yesterday. In Offaly, Kilcormac-Killoughey sealed a final spot yesterday with Camross returning to the Laois decider after their semi-final victory today.

Cuala face a repeat of last year’s county final against Kilmacud Crokes at the semi-final stage this season after both picked up quarter-final wins this afternoon. Con O’Callaghan and Sean Moran both grabbed goals in Cuala’s 2-26 to 2-13 success over Lucan Sarsfields with Kilmacud Crokes running out 0-19 to 0-14 victors against St Jude’s.

The other semi-final will see Ballyboden St-Enda’s and St Vincent’s, quarter-final victors on Friday night, face each other.

In Offaly, Coolderry won a seven-goal thriller this evening by 4-13 to 3-15 against Belmont in Birr to set up a final against Kilcormac-Killoughey. Coolderry hit three early goals and were ahead 3-7 to 1-6 at half-time and held on despite Oisin Kelly completed his hat-trick of goals late on for Belmont.

Yesterday Kilcormac-Killoughey had five points to spare, 1-16 to 1-11, over St Rynagh’s in Tullamore. The meeting of the last two champions was a repeat of last year’s decider when Kilcormac-Killoughey prevailed by three points.

A strong finish was key for Kilcormac-Killoughey with Tommy Geraghty netting in injury-time to seal their victory. Only a point separated the teams with six minutes of normal time left but the victors outscored St Rynagh’s by 1-2 to 0-1 in the remaining stages. At the interval it had been 0-9 to 0-6 in favour of Kilcormac-Killoughey, who will now be attempting in the final to reign in Offaly for the fifth time in seven seasons.

In Wexford, Naomh Eanna and Oylegate-Glenbrien both clinched senior hurling semi-final places this afternoon. Naomh Éanna were 4-17 to 3-11 victors over St Anne’s and Oylegate-Glenbrien saw off Shelmaliers by 3-12 to 2-12 in the curtain-raiser.

There was success for St Martin’s and Rapparees in yesterday’s quarter-final ties at Innovate Wexford Park. 14-man St Martin’s saw off Ferns St Aidan’s by 2-18 to 2-11. They were in front 1-8 to 1-7 at the break but stretched clear thereafter. Joe O’Connor bagged two goals for the winners. A powerful second-half display saw Rapparees defeat Rathnure by 2-18 to 1-14 in a game where the teams had been deadlocked at 1-7 apiece at the break.

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Camross and Rathdowney-Errill both won their respective county semi-final ties in Laois today to set up a final meeting.

Weekend Results

Dublin SHC quarter-finals
St Vincent’s 1-14 Na Fianna 1-12
Ballyboden St Enda’s 3-21 Ballinteer St John’s 0-18
Kilmacud Crokes 0-19 St Jude’s 0-14
Cuala 2-26 Lucan Sarsfields 2-13

Laois SHC semi-finals
Camross 1-17 Borris-in-Ossory/Kilcotton 1-12
Rathdowney-Errill 1-15 Ballinakill 0-10

Offaly SHC semi-finals
Kilcormac-Killoughey 1-16 St Rynagh’s 1-11
Coolderry 4-13 Belmont 3-15

Wexford SHC quarter-finals
St Anne’s Naomh Eanna
Shelmaliers Oylegate-Glenbrien
St Martin’s 2-18 Ferns St Aidan’s 2-11
Rapparees 2-18 Rathnure 1-14

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