Holders Curry into last eight

Despite only scoring two second-half points, defending champions Curry hung on for a one-point win over Bunnanadden, 3-8 to 3-7, in a thrilling Sligo SFC Group A tie at Ballymote on Saturday as Anthony Brennan’s side head for the last eight as section winners.

First-half goals from James Walsh and veterans Kevin Giblin and Sean Davey helped Curry lead 3-6 to 1-3 at half-time but they only pointed twice in the second period – both scores from Brian McDonagh, who supplied six of their eight points.

Tourlestrane are also through to the last eight as Group C winners but were held to a draw by Coolera-Strandhill, 1-11 to 2-8.

Following a hard fought first-half, which ended 0-4 each, Tourlestrane established a nine-point lead by the 44th minute, 1-11 to 0-5, an onslaught sparked by Barry Kirrane’s goal after 34 minutes, but they didn’t score again at Corran Park.

Coolera-Strandhill’s recovery began with a close-range goal from Keelan Cawley after ex-Sligo Rovers player Barry O’Mahony’s strong solo run and Niall Murphy’s 57th minute penalty conversion left just a point between them.

Tubbercurry, even without the injured Colm McGee, showed too much purpose for St John’s in a Group C tie that ended 1-16 to 0-14 with Dermot Walsh’s 13th minute goal the decisive score. Tubber are now into the last eight.

In a one-sided Group D game at Bunnanadden, St Mary’s blitzed Coolaney-Mullinabreena, 3-16 to 0-10 to go through to the quarter-finals.