Crossmaglen edge out Clontibret

14-man Crossmaglen Rangers narrowly pulled through their quarter-final tie with Clontibret of Monaghan on a day of Senior Club Football Championship games that was dominated by action in Ulster.

The All-Ireland Champions were forced into a strong defensive performance in this game after the Monaghan champions staged a rally in the closing stages at Clones.

Despite Oisin McConville missing a penalty and the dismissal of former Louth player John Donaldson in the opening half, the Rangers still managed to hold a 1-3 to 0-4 half-time lead after a JP Mone own goal.

Although two points for Crossmaglen extended their lead on the restart, Clontibret came back well into contention thanks to a Vincent Corey goal, however a last gasp attempt to draw level with a 45 dropped short, as referee Martin Sludden signalled full-time.

The controversy wasn’t to end there and with tempers still high, Crossmaglen’s veteran player Cathal Short also received a red-card.

Crossmaglen will have to wait at least another week before they know their semi-final opponents after a late point in injury-time from John Caldwell ensured that Mayobridge and 14 man Dromore must meet again after their 0-13 to 1-10 draw at Omagh.

Good work from Colm McCullagh with four points and a goal from Ronan McNabb ensured the Tyrone outfit held a 1-6 to 0-6 interval lead.

However Mayobridge staged a strong second half comeback thanks to good work by Benny Coulter who drew level with a minute level in normal time.

Sean O’Neill restored Dromore’s lead but it was Caldwell’s last gasp equaliser which ensured that the sides will meet again in Newry next Sunday.

2005 Ulster champions St Gall’s marched on to the next round of the Ulster championship following a convincing 0-13 to 0-8 win over 14 man Cavan Gaels at Casement Park.

Following a poor display Cavan Gaels woes were compounded by the late sending off of Shane McGlade following a second yellow card.

The Antrim outfit were dominant throughout this game and led by 0-8 to 0-2 at the interval with Terry O’Neill, Karl Stewart and substitute Ciaran McGourty all kicking two points.

Although the Cavan side managed to cut the gap to four points on two occasions during the second half, Gall’s always held the upper hand as the Antrim side progressed.

They now face Glenullin who registered a convincing 1-15 to 1-7 win over Newtownbutler of Fermanagh.

The sides were level in the opening stages of this game but once Glenullin broke in front there was no looking back for the Derry side, who held a 0-9 to 0-5 interval lead with Ruairi Boylan, Paddy Bradley and Gerald O’Kane on target.

Glenullin continued to hold the lead in the second half and raced into a 0-15 to 0-7 advantage with Frank Mulligan then hitting the back of the net for Newtownbutler but Paddy Bradley replied with a ‘major’ of his own and from then on there was no looking back for the eventual winners.

Meanwhile there was also plenty of Ccunty final action taking place where in Meath Seneschalstown took their first Senior Championship title since 1972, with a repeat of that final result 35 years ago thanks to a 0-15 to 0-9 win over Navan O’Mahony’s at Páirc Tailteann.

Elsewhere in Leinster, Baltinglass and Rathnew will have to meet again in the Wicklow decider after they finished level in a thrilling 0-12 to 1-9 drawn encounter at Aughrim.

There was also plenty of County final action in Munster with Ballylanders taking their first Limerick Senior Football Championship title since 1999 thanks to a comprehensive 2-13 to 1-3 win over Dromcollogher/Broadford in the Gaelic Grounds.

Meanwhile Moyle Rovers also took a historic success in the Tipperary decider with a first county title win since 2000, thanks to a 1-9 to 0-4 win over Fethard at Semple Stadium.

This was Moyle Rovers sixth title win since they won their first in 1995.