Comeragh Rangers edge Cork's Éire Óg in Munster Club marathon battle

Ladies Football: In Munster Club SFC, it took extra-time before Waterford champions saw off Cork winners Éire Óg 

GOALGETTER: Amy Conroy, on target for Kilmacud Crokes.

The race for Ladies Football's AIB All-Ireland senior club championship continued over the weekend with action in three provinces. All four quarter-finals took place in Ulster, the scene is now set for the semi-finals in Munster, while the race for the Leinster title is down to the last eight.

The action in Connacht and the other three provinces will continue in the coming weeks as teams battled it out to appear in the AIB All-Ireland senior final at Croke Park on Saturday, December 13.

In Munster, it took extra-time before Waterford champions Comeragh Rangers saw off Éire Óg of Cork by 1-12 to 2-5. A goal from Clodagh Power, who finished with 1-4, at the start of the second period of extra-time proved decisive for a Comeragh side who last year ended Ballymacarbry’s remarkable run of 42 county titles in Waterford.

The sides were deadlocked at 0-8 to 1-5 at the end of normal time, but while Éire Óg had goals from Sadbh McGoldrick and Shauna Cronin, they were unable to advance. The Waterford champions will now meet Clare’s Kilmihil in the Munster semi-final, while Kerry champions Southern Gaels will meet Tipperary’s Brian Borus in the other tie.

Kilmacud Crokes, runners-up to Kilkerrin-Clonberne in the AIB All-Ireland final last December, saw off Longford Slashers by 3-8 to 1-9 in a preliminary quarter-final in the Leinster championship.

The reigning provincial champions led at the break and pushed on for victory by 3-8 to 1-9 with Amy Conroy getting two goals. Michelle Davoran got the other goal and Niamh Cotter landed four points. Caoimhe Lohan got the goal for Longford Slashers in the opening half.

Kilmacud Crokes will now meet Portlaoise in the quarter-finals, with Meath’s Dunshaughlin Royal Gaels meeting Ballinamere Durrow from Offaly; Kildare’s St Laurences will take on Milltown from Westmeath and Carlow’s Old Leighlin will take on Wicklow champions Tinahely, with all four quarter-finals scheduled for next Sunday.

In Ulster, the quarter-final between reigning champions Clann Éireann from Armagh and Fermanagh title holders Derrygonnelly Harps was called off due to an unplayable pitch due to heavy rain and has been refixed for Wednesday evening.

Tyrone champions Errigal Ciarán advanced to the semi-finals with a 2-10 to 1-10 win over Glenfin from Donegal. Goals from a Maria Canavan penalty and Aoife Horisk helped Errigal Ciarán lead by 2-5 to 1-4 at the break, with Yvonne Bonner finding the net for the Donegal champions after five minutes.

Two goals from Cathy Casey in the opening half gelped St Ernat’s Moneyglass lead by 3-6 to 1-3 at the break against Down’s Bredagh and the Antrim champions pushed on for victory with further goals from Sarah O’Neill and JoJo Daragh. Bredagh, with goals in either half from Aoife Laverty and Eilish Ward, battled away but were unable to close the gap and went down by 5-10 to 2-5 in the end.

Three opening half goals from Clara Lynch, Kacy McDermott and Edith Lynch helped Cavan champions Lurgan lead by 3-0 to 0-7 for Emmet Óg at the break.

A goal from Ellen McCarron in the second-half for the Monaghan champions closed the game but Lurgan held out for a 3-6 to 1-10 victory.

Lurgan will now meet Errigal Ciarán in the semi-finals, while the winner of the refixed Clann Éireann and Derrygonnelly Harps clash will take on Moneyglass in the other semi-final.