Big guns progress

Donaghmoyne’s Cathriona McConnell

DONAGHMOYNE sent out a stark message of intent last weekend, showing challengers to their Ulster senior club crown that they are in no mood for surrendering their title.

The Monaghan outfit thumped Lisnaskea by 8-34 to 0-01 in their quarter-final clash, a harsh lesson for a ‘Skea side who just last season laid claim to the Ulster and All-Ireland intermediate titles. As has so often been the case, it was Cathriona McConnell who led the way in the scoring stakes for Donaghmoyne, contributing four goals to her side’s scoring total.

That victory sets up another mouth-watering clash with Armagh champions Clann Éireann in the semi-finals, the two sides having become very accustomed to each other through their regular meetings over recent seasons.
Clann Éireann came from behind to see off the challenge of a fancied Errigal Ciaran last weekend, 3-12 to 3-8 the final score.

The winners were able to call upon the services of seven of Armagh’s recent All-Ireland Intermediate title winners, and in the second half they turned on the style to overturn a 3-2 to 1-2 half-time deficit to book their safe passage to another provincial semi-final.

On the other side of the draw, 2010 Ulster champions Termon also secured their place in the last four, courtesy of a 2-13 to 0-11 victory over St Paul’s, with Geraldine McLaughlin and Roisín Yankee getting the crucial goals for the Donegal representatives.

They will now face Bryansford for a place in the provincial final, the Down champions having done just enough to see off the challenge of Cavan outfit Lacken by 1-10 to 1-9. Both of those semi-finals will take place next Sunday afternoon.

Intermediate and junior action

This weekend though it’s the intermediate and junior sides who get their chance to enjoy the spotlight, with the semi-finals being played in both grades.

Monaghan’s Magheracloone will head into the semi-finals as favourites following their convincing win over Down’s Ballymartin last weekend, but they will not have it all their own way against Armagh’s Killeavy, who will enjoy home advantage for the tie.

The Armagh side showed great drive to emerge victorious from their meeting with St Brigid’s of Antrim by 4-9 to 3-10, and will be very aware of the need to tighten things up at the back if they are to get the better of their Farney opponents.

The full story is in the current issue of Gaelic Life, published on Thursday October 18. Buy your copy now in your local newsagent, or you can purchase the online version – for only 90p – by clicking here