Club GAA wrap: Four Roads continue Roscommon dominance

Four Roads powered their way to their 38th Roscommon senior hurling title, completing four-in-a-row in the process with a dominant second-half performance at King and Moffatt Dr Hyde Park.

Conor Mulry’s six-point haul from play alongside Conor Morris’ 2-05 contribution were the key ingredients in the Tisrara club’s deserved triumph as underdogs Oran came unstuck after the break.

Oran would have been satisfied to be only two points behind – 0-10 to 0-08 – at the break, but Morris’ couple of second-half goals in the space of six minutes turned the game on its head.

Mulry was superb early on, hitting four points from play in the opening quarter to get his side motoring.

But Paddy Fallon and a good score from Micheál Hussey kept Oran in touch as Joseph Henry looked dangerous under the high ball on the edge of the square.

Henry’s persistence yielded a 23rd minute point to leave just a point between the sides, but Morris’ first score of the game — a free in the second minute of injury time — ensured his side had a narrow advantage at the break.

A point by David McDermott soon after the resumption gave Oran further encouragement but Four Roads introduced Tommy Morris and James Cunniffe, and they instantly made a difference.

Morris got on the scoresheet before Conor Morris grabbed his side’s first goal in the 38th minute as Oran failed to clear their lines.

The Four Roads machine was purring now and when Mulry delightfully picked out Morris six minutes later, the net bulged and the defending champions were on their way to another title.

Cathal Kenny, Eoghan Grady, substitute Gary Concannon and Paddy Fallon hit fine individual points for Oran, but Morris and Mulry kept the scoreboard ticking over to ensure that Four Roads ran out comfortable winners.

Four Roads: Noel Fallon (0-01, 0-01 free); Jimmy Hoey, Darren Fallon, James Dillon; Jack Donnelly, Eamon Mulry, Daniel Bolger; Conor Kelly (0-02), Eoghan Morris; Liam Óg Coyle (0-02), James Fitzmaurice, Adam Donnelly; Conor Morris (2-05, 0-05 frees), Conor Mulry (0-06), Rory Coyle.

Subs: Tommy Morris (0-01) for Eoghan Morris (h-t), James Cunniffe (0-01) for Fitzmaurice (37), Conor Coyle for Bolger (45), Brian Mannion for Óg Coyle (45), Trevor Fallon for Rory Coyle (59).

Oran: Jerry Fallon; Michael T. McCormack, Declan Leonard, Kevin Crehan; Micheál Hussey (0-01), Paul Kenny, Darragh McCormack; Eamon Kenny, Eoghan Grady (0-01); Shane Keane, Thomas Fallon, Paddy Fallon (0-08, 0-05 frees); Cathal Kenny (0-02), Joseph Henry (0-01), David McDermott (0-01).

Subs: Brian Diffley for Darragh McCormack (58), Gary Concannon (0-01) for Keane (58), Jonathan McDermott for Thomas Fallon (60), Liam Ryan for David McDermott (60).

Referee: Francis Kelly (Tremane).

Elsewhere, Ballyhale Shamrocks dethroned holders Thomastown in Kilkenny, with Henry Shefflin’s men winning 1-22 to 0-16 at UPMC Nowlan Park to book their place in the semi-finals.

Dicksboro and Mullinavat advanced to the last four when accounting for Glenmore and Bennetsbridge on Saturday evening.

The remaining semi-finalist became known on Sunday evening after O’Loughlin Gaels saw off Clara 3-20 to 3-17.

All-Ireland champions Na Fianna were pushed all the way by Cuala in the Dublin quarter-finals, prevailing by 2-27 to 2-24 after extra-time.

The Glasnevin side will next face Kilmacud Crokes, who overcame Naomh Barrog 3-27 to 0-18. The other semi will see Ballyboden St Endas take on Lucan Sarsfields.

Drom and Inch defeated Moycarkey-Borris 7-23 to 1-28 after extra-time in Thurles to reach the semis in Tipperary.

Defending champions Naas and Maynooth will meet again in the Kildare decider for the second successive year. Naas were impressive winners against Coill Dubh, winning 5-18 to 0-07, while Maynooth defeated Eire Óg 2-26 to 2-16.

Football

In Meath, Paul Galvin’s Ratoath are through to the final after an impressive 0-22 to 0-11 win against Skryne. They will face Summerhill in the decider after they edged Dunshaughlin 0-19 to 0-18 after extra-time.

Gaoth Dobhair are through to another Donegal final following their 1-16 to 0-13 success over St Michael’s, where they will face Naomh Conaill who got the better of Four Masters 1-19 to 0-18 after ET.

Courtwood have reached a first Laois senior final after beating St Joseph’s 1-15 to 2-11.

They will meet holders Portarlington in the decider.

Holders Cargin and Creegan Kickhams could not be separated after extra-time in Antrim – 3-14 to 0-23 – with the former winning 4-3 on penalties to book their place in another final where Dunloy will be their opponents.

In Longford, Colmcille are final bound after defeating Clonguish 2-11 to 1-10, with Killoe, 0-18 to 1-10 victors over Portglenone, the opposition after their 2-19 to 0-14 win against Rathcline.

The Cavan final will see Gowna, after dethroning Crosserlough 2-16 to 2-11 up against Kingscourt Stars, who had a point to spare over Ramor United – 2-12 to 0-17.