Donegal, Armagh, Derry into Rackard semis

The hurlers of Donegal, Armagh and Derry topped their respective groups in the Nicky Rackard Cup yesterday, gaining automatic qualification through to the July 29 semi-finals.

Donegal secured their second win of the campaign to pip Sligo on scoring difference in the Group 3A standings.

Setanta clubman Danny Cullen led the scoring with 0-8 (2f) as the Tír Chonaill men beat Fermanagh by 1-17 to 0-8 at Enniskillen. Hard-working midfielder Eugene Organ nabbed the Donegal goal.

Paul Seevers (1-5, 4f) and Colm Crowley (1-1) both netted in Sligo's 2-15 to 1-6 victory over Tyrone.

The Yeats men, second in Group 3A, will face Louth, the Group 3B runners-up, in a play-off next Saturday.

The winners of the play-off will face Longford, the Group 3C runners-up, in the sole quarter-final.

The group winners, Donegal, Armagh and Derry, and whoever comes through the quarter-final route will then enter an open draw for the semi-finals. Counties from the same groups will be kept apart where possible.

The final games in Group 3B saw Armagh, the NHL Division Three champions, maintain their 100% record. Declan Coulter (0-8, 3f) and Gerard Enright (1-2) were on song as the Orchardmen ran out 1-15 to 1-7 winners over Louth at Drogheda. David Dunne scored 1-1 for the Wee men.

Leitrim ended their campaign with a heartening 5-13 to 3-5 victory over Cavan at Ballyconnell. It was a first win of the Rackard Cup for Kevin Glancy's side. Vincent McDermott (2-3), Fergal Carroll, David Poniard and Rossa Ó Snodaigh (1-0 each) shared Leitrim's goals.

In Group 3C, Gareth Ghee was once again the star man for Longford's hurlers as they saw off Monaghan by 1-14 to 1-11 to finish second in the standings.

The Longford Slashers forward scored 0-9 in Clones, taking his tally for the competition to 2-21.

Salthill's John Newman scored the crucial goal for Longford, while Noel Morgan plundered 1-1 for the hosts.

At Páirc na hÉireann, Warwickshire put up a gallant fight but fell to their second successive defeat, losing by 3-12 to 2-17 to an undefeated Derry side.

The remaining Nicky Rackard Cup fixtures are as follows:

Saturday, July 15: Play-off - Sligo v Louth

Saturday, July 22: Quarter-final - Sligo/Louth v Longford

Saturday, July 29: Semi-finals, venues tbc

Sunday, August 13: Final, Croke Park.