Nicky Rackard wins for Tyrone and Donegal

Tyrone and Donegal advanced in the Nicky Rackard Cup this afternoon, following wins over Monaghan and Donegal respectively.

Seven players were on target for Tyrone as they claimed a 2-19 to 1-10 victory over Monaghan in Killyclougher to book a semi-final berth.

A brace of goals from Conor Grogan (2-2) inside the opening 20 minutes laid the foundations for today's triumph.

Tyrone led by 2-9 to 1-7 at half-time, with Grogan's goals arriving in the seventh and 20th minutes. There were good contributions also from Damian Casey and Sean Og Grogan for Tyrone during the opening half.

Michael McHugh, Seamus Loftus, Fergal Rafter and Padraig McHugh kept Monaghan in touch, with Tadgh Campbell netting their lone goal.

Tyrone upped their game on the restart, outscoring their opponents by 0-10 to 0-3.

Casey landed four of those points with Sean Og Grogan, Matthew Mulgrew, Conor Grogan and substitute Ciaran McCrudden (0-2) also registering second half scores.

Meanwhile, a Sean McVeigh goal proved the difference as Donegal ran out 1-16 to 0-16 winners over Roscommon at Athleague.

The hosts began strongly and led until the final quarter, with Donegal finishing impressively.

Roscommon led by 0-10 to 0-7 at the interval, with Jerry Fallon scoring six points in the opening 35 minutes.

Wind-assisted Donegal bounced back on the restart, and tied the game at 1-9 to 0-12 after 47 minutes thanks to McVeigh's goal.

Roscommon kept up the pressure, but Donegal were hungrier for victory with Danny Cullen, Ciaran Matthewson and Jamesie Donnelly among the scorers for the Ulstermen.