Provincial club hurling round-up

Kilkenny's O'Loughlin Gaels and Raharney of Westmeath earned AIB Leinster SHC quarter-finals wins this afternoon, while in Munster, the hurlers of Kilmallock also claimed a semi-final berth.

O'Loughlin Gaels were extremely impressive when registering a comfortable 3-16 to 0-14 win over 14-man Rathdowney-Errill at O'Moore Park in Portlaoise

The Kilkenny outfit showed no mercy from the throw-in and claimed a goal after just 18secs with Danny Loughnane finishing past Rathdowney-Errill goalkeeper Noel Brennan.

Gaels were firmly in command in the opening half hour and led by 2-10 to 0-6 at half-time. Brian Dowling collected a 25th minute goal.

Alan Delaney, Eoin Holohan and John Purcell just about kept the Laois champions in touch with two first half points each, but O'Loughlin Gaels continued to dominate in the second 30mins.

Mark Bergin netted his side's third goal in the 37th minute and shortly afterwards, Rathdowney-Errill were down to 14 men after Delaney picked up his second yellow card in the space of six minutes.

Rathdowney-Errill bravely foraged on and Purcell landed five second half points from play to cutting the gap to ten points with as many minutes remaining.

There was little chance of this well-drilled Gaels side being overhauled, and they held firm to advance to a semi-final against Dublin champions Ballyboden St. Enda's.

The shock of the day was in Cusack Park in Mullingar as Westmeath side Raharney ousted Offaly champions Coolderry by 0-17 to 0-14.

Coolderry started strongly and led by 0-4 to 0-1 after 11mins, with Brian Carroll and Kevin Connolly each claiming two points.

Raharney battled back to take a 0-7 to 0-6 lead approaching the break but Coolderry edged back in front for half-time, at 0-10 to 0-9.

Raharney drew level inside five minutes of the restart, but scores from Brian Connaughton, amongst others, ensured his side prevailed to meet Oulart the Ballagh in the last-four.

At Cusack Park in Ennis, it was heartbreak for first-time Clare champions Crusheen in their first ever Munster Club SHC match. They were beaten by Kilmallock on a 2-11 to 0-14 scoreline.

Kilmallock trailed by 0-7 to 0-5 at the break, but wrestled back control on the restart. An Andrew O'Shaughnessy goal was the catalyst for the Limerick side's victory.

They will face Tipperary champions Thurles Sarsfields on home soil at Fitzgerald Park on Sunday, November 14.