Down's dramatic comeback stuns Fermanagh
FEW at Brewster Park could have predicted the finish to this Ulster SFC quarter-final, as Down staged a stunning late rally to overturn a seven-point deficit and defeat Fermanagh 2-19 to 0-23. With just eight minutes remaining, Fermanagh looked in total control, their slick passing and precise shooting keeping Down at bay.
But then something clicked for Conor Laverty’s side. A goal from Liam Kerr, driven low into the corner after a weaving solo run, sparked belief. The midfield duo of Caolan Mooney and Ryan Johnston began to dominate possession, and Fermanagh, so composed earlier, suddenly faltered under the pressure. A turnover in added time led to a blistering counterattack finished off by a second goal from Danny Magill.
Fermanagh will feel they let the game slip—Eoin Donnelly and Sean Quigley had impressed, but their shooting went awry in the closing stages. Down, meanwhile, now march on to the Ulster semi-finals with growing confidence, and with a strong bench that proved vital on the day.
It was a heartbreaker for the home crowd, but a reminder that in Ulster, momentum can shift in a heartbeat—and Down are very much back in the mix.
Kilkenny dominate Galway in Leinster SHC opener
KILKENNY made an emphatic statement in the opening round of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship, brushing aside Galway with a dominant 3-24 to 0-21 win at Nowlan Park. The Cats, under Derek Lyng, looked sharp and well-drilled, suffocating Galway’s attack and slicing through their defence with clinical ease.
TJ Reid, still the beating heart of the Kilkenny attack, rolled back the years with 1-8 (4 from frees), while Adrian Mullen and Eoin Cody also found the net in a relentless display. Galway, for their part, never truly settled. Conor Whelan and Evan Niland chipped in with points, but the Tribe lacked fluency, and several key forwards were well-marshalled by the Kilkenny defence.
The real difference lay in Kilkenny’s physicality and precision. They won the breaking ball, controlled the tempo, and when chances came, they finished with the ruthlessness expected of the county’s hurling tradition. By the final whistle, Galway looked shell-shocked.
For Kilkenny, it’s the perfect start to their provincial campaign, setting up an enticing-looking clash with Wexford next. Galway, meanwhile, will have to regroup quickly if they’re to avoid an early exit from the Leinster round-robin.
Mayo secure Connacht final spot
MAYO delivered a composed, clinical performance in Carrick-on-Shannon to see off Leitrim 0-20 to 0-13 and book their place in yet another Connacht Gaelic football final. Under Kevin McStay, the Westerners are showing signs of tactical maturity, and while they never truly pulled away until the final quarter, they controlled the game from start to finish.
Ryan O’Donoghue was in sharp form with six points, while Jordan Flynn and Diarmuid O’Connor bossed midfield, ensuring Mayo dominated possession. Leitrim, to their credit, stayed in the contest for long spells, with Keith Beirne landing some fine scores, but lacked the depth and physicality to trouble Mayo over 70 minutes.
The absence of a goal didn’t trouble Mayo, who were content to build patiently and chip away on the scoreboard. Their defensive structure frustrated Leitrim’s attempts to mount a second-half comeback, and with the bench chipping in—Tommy Conroy and Aidan O’Shea among the late contributors—Mayo finished strongly.
With Galway awaiting in the other semi-final, a potential Mayo-Galway Connacht decider looms. But on this evidence, Mayo are already hitting a steady stride, and their supporters will be quietly optimistic about silverware this summer.
Clare triumph over Tipperary in Munster SFC
CLARE booked their spot in the Munster Senior Football Championship final with an impressive 2-18 to 1-15 win over Tipperary at Cusack Park, Ennis. It was a performance full of energy, discipline, and moments of real class—hallmarks of Colm Collins' long tenure with the Banner.
Clare hit the ground running, with Eoin Cleary and Emmet McMahon linking superbly, and an early goal from Keelan Sexton setting the tone. Tipp, featuring a mix of youth and experience, responded well with a goal of their own from Jack Kennedy, but Clare always looked the more cohesive unit.
By half-time, Clare had built a four-point cushion, and while Tipp made a brief second-half push, the home side never lost their composure. A second Clare goal midway through the half—Sexton again, finishing a flowing team move—effectively sealed the result.
The win sees Clare through to only their second Munster final in over a decade, where they’ll now face Kerry. It will be a tall order, but with home support and momentum on their side, they’ll feel they have a chance. For Tipperary, it’s back to the qualifiers—but signs of progress remain.
Carlow’s goal fest in the Joe McDonagh Cup
CARLOW laid down a marker in the Joe McDonagh Cup with a devastating 6-23 to 0-20 victory over Down, a result that sent shockwaves through the competition. Scoring six goals in any game is rare; doing so in championship hurling marks Carlow as serious contenders for the title and promotion to the Leinster SHC.
Chris Nolan was the star of the show, bagging two goals and adding four points, while Marty Kavanagh and James Doyle also hit the net in a one-sided encounter. Down simply had no answer to Carlow’s pace, precision, and sheer appetite for goals.
The midfield pairing of Fiachra Fitzpatrick and Kevin McDonald set the tone, winning possession and launching wave after wave of attack. Carlow’s defence, meanwhile, kept a clean sheet and limited Down to speculative points from distance. By the second half, the result was beyond doubt, with Carlow adding three goals in the final 20 minutes to underline their dominance.
This win gives Carlow a commanding start to their McDonagh campaign and a real belief that a return to the top tier is within reach. For Down, it’s a sobering reminder of the gap that remains—but plenty of fixtures still lie ahead.
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