St Mochta’s top table en route to quarter-final

them leading by 0-8 to 1-4 after 37 minutes.

Na Piarsaigh continued to battle for everything and a point from Paul Mallon restored parity and had them very much in contention, only for the team to press the self-destruct button soon after.

On 41 minutes Alan McCartney received a second yellow for a late challenge on Larney and two points followed before the Mochtas were gifted the decisive goal. Stephen McGuinness saw a quick free across the face of goal intercepted by the alert McCooey who fired home from close range to make it 1-10 to 1-6.

There was no way back for Na Piarsaigh after that and although the pushed forward at every opportunity, the tight Mochtas defence prevented them getting the goal they needed. On the one occasion they did get through, Conor Ryan pulled off a fine save from Larkin to help see his side to victory.

Na Piarsaigh have another chance to make the last eight when they take on Nh Fionnbarra in the final group game this weekend. ST MOCHTAS: Conor Ryan; Barry Murphy, Liam Lawlor, Donal Gernon; Gareth O’Reilly 0-1, Darren McMahon, Cormac Callan; Shane McMahon, Emlyn Clerkin; Danny Kindlon 0-1, Declan Byrne 0-8 (4f), Stephen McCooey 1-0; Eamonn O’Neill, Nigel Farrell 0-2, Ultan Larney 0-2. Subs: Barry Mulholland for E Clerkin BC, Liam McGranaghan for C Callan, Liam Kindlon for N Farrell.

NA PIARSAIGH: Paul O’Hare; John Galligan, Conall Shields, Stephen McGuinness; Joe Woods 0-1, Ronan McCartney, Robert Murphy; Eamonn McAuley 0-1, Michael Woods; Aidan Marks, Paul Mallon 1-1, Sean McAuley 0-1; Ciaran Murphy 0-1, Alan McCartney, Mark Larkin 0-3 (3f). Subs: David Yore for C Murphy, Tom Muckian for A Marks.

REFEREE: David Fedigan