Mairtin take command after break

NAOMH Mairtin made it through to the semi-finals of the Paddy Sheelan Shield when they came from behind to defeat Glyde Rangers on a scoreline of 3-8 to 2-4 at Monasterboice.

The game on Good Friday saw Glyde Rangers have the better of the first half as goals from Trevor O’Brien and Dion Conlon had them leading by 2-4 to 1-3. Wayne Campbell hit the back of the net for the Mairtins to keep his side in touch.

The second period saw the home side gradually take command and goals from JP Rooney and Francis McCullough helped them emerge seven point winners as the Tallanstown men failed to add to their tally in the second half.

O’Connells will also contest the semi-final after recording a 3-8 to 0-8 victory away to Roche Emmets on Saturday night.

The visitors based their victory on a bright start as they kicked the opening three points through Robert Quigley before goals from Stuart Osborne and Conor Kiernan had them very much in control. Kevin Callaghan (2) and Shane Byrne scored for Roche but they faced an uphill task at the break as they trailed by 2-6 to 0-3.

Roche did improve in the second half but a comeback was never on as a third goal from Sean Connolly sealed the win for the O’Connells.

Geraldines also had a comfortable victory at the quarter-final stage as they came out on top against St Josephs on a scoreline of 1-10 to 0-7 at Cluskey Park.

The Gers started on the front foot with Shane Rogers among the scorers before Glen Trainor burst through for the only goal of the game to put his side 1-4 to 0-1 ahead.

Points from Alan McKenna and Shane McQuillan helped the Joes reduce the gap but the Gers had the final say to go in leading 1-6 to 0-4.

The home side tried hard to get back into the game in the second half with the help of points from Oisin McGuinness and Peter Brennan. However, with Gareth Neacy and Paddy Geoghegan finding the target for the Gers they were always able to keep the Joes and arm’s length as they held out for a comfortable win.

Meanwhile, St Fechins caused a slight surprise in the remaining quarter-final when they defeated Clan na Gael by 0-5 to 0-4 on Saturday.

The game in Beaulieu turned out to be a low-scoring affair that did little to warm the spectators on a cold evening, but in the end the home side did just enough to make it through to the last four.

The first half saw the teams record just three points with the Fechins leading by 0-2 to 0-1 as Robbie Curran scored the only point for the Clans.

Curran added two more in the second half along with another effort from Craig Long but it wasn’t enough to deny the Fechins as they held out to win by a point.

Lannleire will meet Stabannon Parnells in the final of the Kevin Mullen Plate after the sides came through their respective semi-finals.

The Dunleer men recorded a four point victory over Wolfe Tones on Saturday evening. Fielding a young and inexperienced side, Lannleire went in at the break leading six points to two, midfielder, Briain McGuinness registering their opening three scores.

In an evenly enough contested second half, Lannleire’s lead was never seriously threatened though, with experienced replacements, Colin Murphy and Paul Callan securing victory with late points from play.

Meanwhile, Stabannon eased to a 2-17 to 1-6 win over Dowdallshill in the other semi-final.

David Cluskey fired in two goals to help his side to a 2-10 to 0-2 lead at the break and virtually secure their place in the final.

Dowdallshill raised their game in the second half and found the net through Gerry McShane but with Aonghus Giggins hitting eight points in total and Colm Giggins contributing five, the Parnells were never in danger of letting this game slip from their grasp.