County finals round-up
There was plenty of county final action in Gaelic football and hurling yesterday, with nine finals down for decision - including six football deciders.
In football, Skyrne, Longford Slashers, St. Brigid's, Eastern Harps, Glencar-Manorhamilton and Kingscourt Stars claimed county titles, while there were hurling wins for Loughgiel Shamrocks, Ballygalget and Mullahoran-St. Joseph's.
Skyrne claimed their first Meath Senior Football Championship crown since 2004 thanks to a 0-21 to 4-8 win over last year's winners, Seneschalstown, at Pairc Tailteann.
The reiging champions were hungry for goals throughout this contest with Brian Sheridan netting their first goal. The Skyrne defence came under huge pressure, with Seneschalstown completing their hat-trick early in the second half.
Felim O'Rourke's goalmouth was breached for a fourth time late on with Stephen Finnegan firing home. However, Liam Harnan's charges took victory thanks to a pointed '45' from top scorer Paddy O'Rourke (0-7).
At Pearse Park, Longford Slashers lifted the Longford SFC trophy for the first time since 1994 - they beat Dromard 0-11 to 1-5 in today's final.
Slashers led by 0-8 to 0-2 at half-time, but Dromard upped their game on the restart. Cian Mimnagh scored 1-1, while a Jamesie Martin free for Dromard cut the deficit to two points late on.
Nevertheless, a Colin Smith point steadied the Slashers' nerves late as they went on to win their 20th county title.
St. Brigid's were crowned Roscommon SFC winners for the fourth time in six years, courtesy of a 0-14 to 0-9 win over Elphin at Dr. Hyde Park.
In the end, it was St. Brigid's greater experience which came to the fore, against an Elphin side contesting their first final since 1966.
Former Roscommon star Frankie Dolan delivered a man-of-the-match performance with five first half points. The sides were tied at 0-6 apiece at the break.
Eastern Harps bounced back from their 2009 Sligo SFC final defeat to the same opposition to carve out a 0-13 to 0-10 win over Tourlestrane at Markievicz Park.
Elsewhere in Connacht, Glencar-Manorhamilton over St. Mary's on a 0-7 to 0-5 scoreline in the Leitrim decider.
Meanwhile, Kingscourt Stars halted Cavan Gaels' aspirations of four in-a-row of Cavan SFC titles, following a 1-13 to 1-9 win at Kingspan Breffni Park.
Gaels led by 1-5 to 0-4 at the break, but man-of-the-match Ryan McCormack converted a penalty goal for Kingscourt who had the better of the second half.
In hurling, Loughgiel Shamrocks picked up their first Antrim SHC title since 1989, edging out Ruairi Og, Cushendall by 1-9 to 0-11 at Casement Park.
Shamrocks forward Eddie McCloskey netted the only goal of the game in the first half.
Cushendall were seeking their fourth title in seven years. Paddy Magill missed two late chances to snatch victory for them. Cushendall's woes were compounded when Michael McCambridge was dismissed.
In Down, Ballygalget were crowned champions for the 18th time, thanks to a 3-19 to 1-13 win over Ballycran at Portaferry.
Ballygalget led by 2-11 to 0-8 at half-time, and although Ballycran pulled a goal back on the restart, a third Ballygalget goal comfortably sealed a 12-point win.
Meanwhile, Mullahoran-St. Joseph's collected the Cavan Senior Hurling Championship title, following a 3-15 to 0-3 triumph over Woodford Gaels under floodlights at the new 3G pitch beside Kingspan Breffni Park.
Tonight's game was a history-making one on two fronts, with Mullhoran creating a national record by claiming a record 21st senior title in succession. It was also the first ever senior final in any county to be played on an artificial surface.
