Wins for Cavan and Dublin footballers, Clare hurlers

The Cavan and Dublin footballers, along with Clare hurlers, claimed victories in what was a depleted GAA programme of fixtures today.

In the Dr. McKenna Cup, Cavan's first competitive outing on their new 3G pitch proved to be a winning one as they gained a 0-12 to 1-4 win over 14-man Queens University.

Queens began this game in good stead and quickly raced into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead at the end of the opening quarter, with Charlie Kielt, Joe O'Kane, Cathal Crilly and Niall McKenna on target.

However, the dismissal of Fermanagh's Joe O'Brien on a straight red card hit the University side badly and the hosts bounced back.

Ronan Flanagan led the charge for the Breffni men, as they claimed five unanswered points before the break with Flanagan taking four of those scores - two each from frees and placed balls.

Leading by 0-6 to 0-4 at the break, Val Andrews' charges kept their momentum going on the restart. They tagged on six points in the second half, with Queen's lone score a goal from a free-kick by Tyrone's Niall McKenna.

In Leinster, a hat-trick of first half goals helped Dublin to a comfortable 3-13 to 0-7 triumph over Offaly in the O'Byrne Shield semi-final at Parnell Park.

This game was brought forward by four-and-a-half hours in order to ensure a frozen pitch was avoided, but Offaly failed to thaw suffiently as an on-fire Dublin side booked their place in the final.

Tomás Quinn (penalty), Kevin McManamon and Diarmuid Connolly grabbed a goal each to help the Dubs into a 3-6 to 0-2 half-time lead.

It was a closer affair on the restart, but Dublin's strong start was enough to send them into a decider against either Meath or Laois next weekend.

Goals were also vital in the Waterford Crystal Cup hurling competition in Munster as Clare took a 3-14 to 0-15 win over Limerick IT at Sixmilebridge.

The hosts led by 0-8 to 0-7 at the interval, but notched a hat-trick of goals on the restart. Diarmuid McMahon netted a brace, while Adrian O'Donovan added the Banner's third to ensure a semi-final meeting with Cork IT or Waterford.

A number of fixtures were called off due to frozen pitches, with the Offaly v UCD and Westmeath v Carlow games in the Walsh Shield postponed. Both games are due to be refixed on Monday.

Also in the Walsh Cup, Kilkenny's tie with NUI Galway, which was due to be played at Ballyragget, has now been moved to Heywood Community School in Laois with a 12.30pm start tomorrow.

The second O'Byrne Shield semi-final between Meath and Laois has been refixed for Tuesday night at Pairc Tailteann, Navan (throw-in 7.45pm).

In the Kehoe Cup, Armagh will now face GMIT on the 3G pitch in Darver, County Louth at 2pm tomorrow. The game was originally a home fixture for the Orchard County, but Lurgan was deemed unplayable this afternoon.

The McGrath Cup game between Cork and Kerry, which was due to be played tonight, will now take place tomorrow at the Dr. Crokes GAA Club in Killarney (throw-in 2pm).

In the Dr. McKenna Cup, the meeting of Fermanagh and UUJ has been moved to a 4pm start on the 3G pitch at Kingspan Breffni Park tomorrow. In addition, Down will now host St. Mary's, Belfast at 2pm tomorrow afternoon.

Meanwhile, the Connacht FBD Connacht League match between Leitrim and GMIT - scheduled for tomorrow - has been postponed due to an unplayable pitch at Cloone.