Mayobridge, Burren and Saval seal last four spots

Mayobridge, Burren and surprise packets Saval are through to the Down SFC semi-finals.

Mayobridge beat Loughinisland 3-8 to 2-9 in a hard-fought quarter-final yesterday. Cory Quinn hit an early goal for the ’Bridge and Benny Coulter fisted in a second goal to put his side 2-3 to 0-3 ahead.

A fantastic finish by Quinn gave him his second goal after half an hour but Jamie O’Reilly pulled a goal a back for Loughinisland before the break, at which stage Mayobridge led 3-3 to 1-5.

With 43 minutes gone, Aaron McClements netted Loughinisland’s second goal, but Mayobridge held on with late points from Coulter and Noel Sexton.

Burren survived a strong first-half showing from Castlewellan to win 1-14 to 0-11 in Newry on Saturday night. Castlewellan led 0-7 to 0-3 before Shay McArdle hit Burren’s goal. Donal O’Hare’s point levelled the scores but Castlewellan led 0-9 to 1-5 at half-time.

County star O’Hare hit 0-3 in the second-half and Eoin McCartan scored the last point as Burren eased to a six-point victory.

Saval stunned Bryansford on Friday night, winning 1-10 to 0-10. Bryansford led 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time but a goal from Philip Madine 18 minutes into the second-half proved decisive.

Both sides were down to 14 men in the closing stages, with Ruairi Digney (Saval) and Sean James Brannigan (Bryansford) sent-off.

Defending champions Kilcoo and Clonduff meet in the remaining quarter-final tonight.