On Saturday night, St Saviours snatched the final quarter final place in Group 1 with a conclusive 1-16 to 2-5 win over Ardmore in Carraiganore. Both sides knew that a positive result would guarantee their passage to the next stage but Saviours grasped the initiative. They built up a four point advantage after the first quarter. Clinton Hennessy’s penalty however on the stroke of half time left Ardmore just one point adrift (0-7 to 1-3). A John Gartland goal early in the second half levelled matters before Ardmore goalkeeper Sean Barron prevented Adam Brophy’s penalty and two subsequent attempts were also blocked. Brian Power finally found a way past Barron with 15 minutes remaining to settle the contest. The city side have stayed afloat in the top flight via a relegation play-off for the last three seasons but took a giant leap forward with this result.
Gaultier were plunged into the relegation decider on scoring difference after losing out to Clashmore in Kill (1-11 to 2-7). JJ Hutchinson stole the show with 1-4 for the Eastern side but he missed a free in second minute of injury time that would have guaranteed their survival. Hutchinson’s first half penalty handed Gaultier a 1-2 to 0-4 lead after an error ridden thirty minutes. Clashmore showed more invention on the turnover and John Prendergast planted a corker in the top corner on 37 minutes. Gaultier regained the lead when Ian Power palmed to the net after 44 minutes but a composed Clashmore seized control and three second half points from Aidan Trihy guided them home.
Title favourites Stradbally completed their unbeaten march through the group phase as a dominant second half display dismissed Kilrossanty at Fraher Field (2-15 to 1-7). Stradbally shaded a lively opening half by 2-4 to 1-6. Their first major came in bizarre fashion after four minutes as Mark Prendergast was credited with an own goal. Kilrossanty scored a strange goal of their own on 27 minutes when Patrick Cunningham’s lofted ball deceived Stradbally stopper Oliver Costelloe. Paddy Kiely swiftly mended the damage for the Reds before the break and they pressed on after the interval.
On Sunday afternoon in Group 2, 2012 intermediate champions Ballinameela chiselled out a draw against An Rinn in Bushy Park to pin down a place in the next phase (0-11 to 1-8). Jim Curran kicked the vital leveller into the wind with eight minutes left to push them through. A goal from John Stack put them two points up at half time (1-6 to 0-7) and in a tense finish, Curran pinched the draw required. The Nire fended off a late burst from Rathgormack to prevail by 0-12 to 1-5 at Stradbally. Shane Walsh came off the bench to strike three points to keep their rivals at bay after Jason Gleeson’s major gave Rathgormack a glimmer of light. Ballinacourty blew away Brickey Rangers by 1-20 to 0-6 to finish with maximum points from five games and consign their opponents to the relegation play-off. In the sweltering sunshine at Fraher Field, Brickeys galloped into a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after eleven minutes. They failed to register for the next 33 minutes however as Ballinacourty started to slice through at will and Jason O’Brien swatted the ball to the net on 21 minutes following a sideline from Michael O’Hallloran. Patrick Hurney steered a rout thereafter with five points.
Quarter Finals
To be played 21/22 September
Stradbally v Ballinameela
Clashmore v An Rinn
Ballinacourty v St Saviours
The Nire v Kilrossanty
Relegation Play-Off
Gaultier v Brickey Rangers
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