Champions Killererin bow out as Salthill run riot

GALWAY SFC champions Killererin were dumped out of this year’s competition after being taken apart by an outstanding Salthill/Knocknacarra in Corofin yesterday.

Two goals in four first-half minutes from Rory McTiernan and Seamie Crowe, and six points from Tom Burke, proved the difference as Salthill/Knocknacarra held their opponents to just two points in the second-half.

Salthill/Knocknacarra took control after 14 minutes when Conor Healy was hauled down by Colin Forde and corner-back McTiernan made no mistake with the resultant penalty.

After 18 minutes Gearóid Canavan found Seamie Crowe in space and he slotted past Alan Keane with ease for a crucial goal.

With cousins Nickey and Pádraic Joyce lining out up front for Killererin, much was expected from the Barnaderg men, and a late push before the break saw them pull within six points at the break.

However, their efforts before the break were negated when Salthill/Knocknacarra – who had Galway senior hurler Aonghus Callanan lining out at centre-forward – outscored their opponents by 0-10 to 0-2 in the second-half to finally run out 2-16 to 0-8 winners.

Corofin, winners of three of the last seven Galway titles, looked to be exiting on a number of occasions during their third round clash but they finally got the better of Bearna after extra time in Pearse Stadium, 0-13 to 0-10.

Displaying admirable championship nous, Corofin raced into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead by the 19th minute. However, their good start fell apart moments later when county player Damien Burke was sent-off for Corofin after picking up his second yellow card.

Bearna recovered immediately to outscore their opponents up to the break to take a 0-6 to 0-5 lead at half time and they continued to play a smart game with their extra man and held a 0-9 to 0-7 with time running out.

However, Corofin refused to lie down as Michael and Kieran Comer, and Daithí Burke pushed them ahead with consecutive scores. But a late point in injury-time from Bearna’s Ciarán Hanley forced extra-time, only for Corofin to cruise to the win in extra-time.

Moycullen reached the last eight after a titanic battle with city side St James’ in Pearse Stadium on Saturday.

After a nip and tuck opening, three points on the spin from Moycullen ensured they held a 0-8 to 0-5 lead at half-time.

Another surge from Moycullen just after the restart saw them move closer to the win with a goal from Christopher Hurney added to two unanswered points.

Eoin Concannon gave St James a slight hope of a comeback with a great goal ten minutes into the half but, Moycullen came with another push and landed four consecutive scores late on to seal a 1-13 to 1-8 victory.

With their fellow Gaeltacht side Mícheál Breathnach’s still waiting DRA clearance to take to the field in their third round, Connemara’s An Cheathrú Rua sealed their spot in next weekend’s quarter-finals after a 1-18 to 0-13 victory over Annaghdown in Pearse Stadium yesterday.

A second-half goal from Niall O’Briain sealed the victory for the An Cheathrú Rua men who will now meet Milltown in the last eight.

Milltown themselves remain on course to pick up their first Frank Fox Cup in 30 years after they picked up a 0-9 to 0-8 win over Caherlistrane in Tuam Stadium yesterday.

Five points from Michael Martin and two frees from Galway Under-21 star Mark Hehir helped Milltown to a 0-7 to 0-3 lead at the break.

But after two early points on the restart they failed to add to their tally as Caherlistrane narrowly failed to pull off the comeback.

In the tightest game of the weekend Tuam Stars claimed the victory over Kilkerrin/Clonberne on a 1-12 to 1-11 scoreline in Corofin.

A Jamie Murphy goal four minutes from time sealed the win for Tuam Stars. An earlier effort from Galway minor Shane Walsh for Kilkerrin/Clonberne in the first-half looked to have given his side the upper hand, but Tuam claimed a memorable victory.

Claregalway had too much class for NUI Galway as they cruised to a 0-9 to 0-6 win over the students in Tuam Stadium.

Claregalway led by three points at the break thanks to the accuracy of Brian Moran and continued their dominance after the restart and deservedly sealed their spot against Corofin in the next round.

The draw for the quarter-finals was made last night with Salthill set to meet Moycullen; Corofin will take on Claregalway; Milltown will play An Cheatru Rua and Tuam Stars await the winners of the remaining last 16 game between Cortoon Shamrocks and either Micheal Breathnachs or Mountbellew/Moylough.