Shanahan delivers to see Lismore through

Maurice Shanahan measured a last-minute free to supply Lismore with the draw they required on Saturday night to reach the quarter-finals and nudged Fourmilewater towards the relegation play-off.

After missing out on the latter stages last season, Shanahan scored a decisive 1-6 for Sean Prendergast’s men in a 2-11 to 1-14 stalemate at Fraher Field.

Lismore led 2-5 to 0-5 following a pedestrian first-half. Dan Shanahan shot low to the far corner on 15 minutes and Maurice burst through for a second two minutes before the break. The introduction of Dermot Ryan recharged Fourmilewater and he registered two points before setting up Conor Gleeson for a cool finish on 41 minutes. In a frantic finale, Stephen Ryan snuck Fourmile’ into a slender lead before Maurice Shanahan ultimately proved Lismore’s saviour.

A ravenous Passage crushed Group 1 winners De La Salle (2-14 to 1-14) at Walsh Park to confirm their quarter final berth. A total of 20 wides showed their dominance over the hour. Eoin Kelly flicked to the net in the sixth minute after a Thomas Connors assist to settle Peter Queally’s side. Jake Dillon’s reply on 24 minutes allowed Salle to equalise. Conor Carey bundled home just before the break to leave three between them (2-8 to 1-8).

A complete team performance overwhelmed their opponents and early second-half efforts from Carey and Killian Fitzgerald stretched their advantage. Although De La Salle closed to within two, Owen Connors posted three unanswered points to give the holders wriggle room.

In the opening act at the city venue, Dungarvan disposed of Mount Sion (4-14 to 1-19). Patrick Curran’s goal after 14 minutes illuminated a dull first-half the Blues shaded 1-5 to 0-7. Gavin Crotty’s move to full-forward caused carnage in the Sion defence. A brace of goals in the third quarter put Dungarvan 10 points ahead (3-12 to 0-13). Cormac Curran finished the contest with a fourth on 48 minutes. Austin Gleeson buried a late penalty for Sion.

In a six goal thriller at Clashmore, Tallow pipped 13-man Ardmore (3-17 to 3-15) to make the cut for the quarters. Evan Sheehan’s first-half hat-trick shoved Seamus Prendergast and company into a relegation play-off. Tallow earned a 3-7 to 1-10 lead at halfway, Cathal Hennessy obliging for Ardmore. Sub Eoin Conway and Seamus Prendergast bagged second-half majors but Thomas Ryan kept Tallow on course. Ryan ended with eight points (five from play). Ardmore full-back Conor O’Shea got his marching orders for a second yellow and David Gartland followed on a straight red.

Tiernan Murray’s second-half strike saw Abbeyside break Roanmore’s resistance and progress to the knockout phase (1-20 to 2-12). The Sky Blues held a 0-10 to 0-7 half time advantage at Kill. Abbeyside showed greater urgency on resuming and Murray found the net during the third quarter to alter the complexion. Roanmore finished fifth in Group 1 and retained their senior status.

Three goals in the opening 10 minutes kept Ballygunner’s flawless record intact under Fergal Hartley as they had a cosy nine point win over Ballyduff Upper (3-21 to 1-18). Defender Barry Coughlan scored a corker on seven minutes as he soloed from his own 65m line and slammed the ball past John Twomey. Conor Power and Brian O’Sullivan then raised green flags in the tenth minute. Pauric Mahony also threw in 10 points. Promising young forward Mikey Kearney hit a fabulous 1-14 for a battling Ballyduff who extend their nine year senior stay despite this defeat.