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Tuesday June 28, 2011

Controversial End To Leinster Semi

Dublin's Bernard Brogan scores the winning point of the game (INPHO)

A Roundup Of The GAA Championship Action From Jackie Cahill

Leinster SFC semi-final
Dublin 1-12 Kildare 1-11
Controversy reigned at Croke Park last Sunday as Dublin advanced to a sixth Leinster SFC final in seven seasons.
The Sky Blues defeated Kildare thanks to an injury-time free from Bernard Brogan after the Lilywhites had staged an heroic fightback.
The award by referee Cormac Reilly was a contentious one as Kildare corner back Andrew McLoughlin was penalised for a shirt pull on Brogan as the 2010 Footballer of the Year chased a ball into space.
And the St Plunkett's Eoghan Ruadh clubman kept his cool to slot over the winner and set up a final meeting against Wexford on July 10, in what will be a repeat of the 2008 provincial decider.
Kildare trailed Dublin by four points in the closing stages but Eamonn Callaghan bagged 1-1 to draw Kieran McGeeney's side level.
There was still time for late drama; however, as Brogan landed a priceless winner in front of almost 59,000 fans at GAA HQ.
Dublin led by 1-7 to 0-4 at half-time, with Paul Flynn netting the first half goal for the hosts at the Hill 16 end.
But Kildare's hopes were boosted when Dublin full-forward Eoghan O'Gara's nightmare afternoon came to a premature end when he received a second yellow card early in the second half.
With the man advantage, Kildare double-teamed Dublin talisman Brogan and began to make hay at the other end.
But Pat Gilroy's hung in thanks to some brilliant defensive displays, with debutant Paul Conlon catching the eye at right corner back.
Callaghan's excellent goal from 20m sparked a Kildare fightback and they looked to have secured a replay before referee Reilly handed Brogan the chance to settle matters.

Ulster SFC
Donegal 2-6 Tyrone 1-9

The Anglo-Celt cup will have a name other than Tyrone and Armagh etched on it for the first time since 1998 when Derry and Donegal contest the provincial senior football final on July 17.
Armagh and Tyrone have carved up the last twelve provincial titles between them but Tyrone were shocked by Donegal in last Sunday's semi-final at St Tiernach's Park, Clones.
Donegal's renaissance under the guidance of former playing great Jim McGuinness has been nothing short of sensational and his charges advanced to a first Ulster final since 2006 with a shock win.
Dermot Molloy's late goal moved Donegal to within touching distance of a first Ulster senior crown since 1992, while Derry are hoping to claim victory for the first time since 1998.
Tyrone went for the jugular early against Donegal but the north-westerners hung in grimly and trailed by just two points, 0-4 to 0-6, at half-time.
Colm McGee's brilliant goal and a red card for Tyrone midfielder Kevin Hughes came as a massive double boost for Donegal in the second half.
Donegal moved ahead but Tyrone managed to level in the closing stages before Molloy's late winner, which came deep in stoppage time, stunned them.

Leinster SFC semi-final
Wexford 4-12 Carlow 0-10

Wexford booked their place in a first Leinster SFC final since 1998 with a comfortable 14-point victory against outclassed Carlow at Croke Park last Sunday.
A brace of goals in each half accounted for the Barrowsiders at GAA HQ and sent Wexford on their way to a final meeting with Dublin.
Carlow gave as good as they got in the opening half but were caught by two sucker punch goals from Shane Roche before the interval.
Trailing by 0-7 to 2-4 at half-time, Carlow needed a good start to the second half but it was Wexford who got it and goals from PJ Banville and Eric Bradley closed the game out.

Connacht SFC semi-final
Mayo 1-12 Galway 1-6

Taoiseach Enda Kenny gets some boxing tips from Ray Moylette, Gold Medalist at the IABA European Championships before the Connacht GAA Football Senior Championship Semi-Final between Mayo and Galway at MacHale Park in Castlebar (INPHO)


Mayo are back in the Connacht SFC final for the first time since 2009 after defeating arch-rivals Galway on home soil last Sunday.
But James Horan's men will have to win the provincial crown the hard way when they face holders Roscommon at Dr Hyde Park on July 17.
Mayo secured a six-point win against a disappointing Galway outfit at a rain-soaked McHale Park in Castlebar.
Alan Freeman's 58th minute goal proved the decisive score for the hosts, with Galway managing just a single point in the entire second half.
Mayo bounced back well from the massive fright they received from London in Ruislip with a much-improved performance.
Galway, meanwhile, must regroup quickly for a difficult All-Ireland SFC round 2 qualifier assignment against Meath.
Played in terrible conditions at Castlebar, Galway only edged a grab first-half thanks to Paul Conroy's goal a minute from half-time and failed to live with the pace of their opponents after the restart as Alan Dillon, Aidan Moran and Alan Freeman all shone bright for the home side.
Just before half-time, Paul Conroy goaled for Galway to hand the Tribesmen a 1-5 to 0-4 interval lead but Mayo dominated the second half to claim bragging rights in the latest battle between the ancient rivals.

All-Ireland SFC Round 1 Qualifiers Round Up
Cian Ward bagged 4-3 as Meath defeated Louth in a memorable All-Ireland SFC qualifier at Breffni Park last Saturday.
Ward's remarkable haul put some ghosts to rest following last year's controversial Leinster SFC meeting between the two sides.
Darren Clarke hit 1-8 for Louth but Meath were never unduly troubled and march on to an attractive second round clash with Galway.
Elsewhere, Offaly surprised Monaghan by 1-18 to 1-10 in Tullamore. Ken Casey scored the crucial goal for the Faithful County as Monaghan bow out of the championship on the back of two defeats, following on from their Ulster SFC reverse at the hands of Tyrone.
At O'Moore Park in Portlaoise, Laois scored a 2-16 to 0-11 victory against Tipperary, as Darren Strong and Colm Begley rose green flags.
Longford claimed an impressive 2-16 to 0-11 victory against Cavan at Breffni Park, with Paul Barden and Brian Kavanagh claiming the goals.
A goal in the 61st minute from sub Conor McGraynor helped Wicklow on their way to a 1-18 to 0-16 victory over Sligo in Aughrim.
At Casement Park in Belfast, Antrim defeated Westmeath by 0-16 to 1-7.
And London won their first championship match since 1977 as the Exiles claimed a fully-merited 0-15 to 0-9 win against Fermanagh in Ruislip.

All-Ireland SFC qualifier - Round 2 Draw
Limerick v Offaly, Gaelic Grounds.
Down v Leitrim, Newry.
Laois v Kildare, Portlaoise.
Longford v Tyrone, Pearse Park.
Armagh v Wicklow, Athletic Grounds.
Meath v Galway, Pairc Tailteann.
Antrim v Carlow, Casement Park.
London v Waterford, Ruislip.
Ties to be played on Saturday, July 9.

Hurling Round Up
Cork squeezed past Offaly in the All-Ireland SHC qualifiers at Pairc Ui Chaoimh last Saturday.
Dogged Offaly made it an extremely uncomfortable afternoon for the Rebels, who had a ten-point haul from Pat Horgan.
It was a dogfight on Leeside from start to finish as Cork were reduced to 14 men ten minutes before half-time when Pa Cronin was sent off.
Cian McCarthy and Luke O'Farrell scored the Cork goals while Shane Dooley (1-9) and Colin Egan replied in kind for the Faithful County. Antrim, meanwhile, defeated Carlow by 0-23 to 1-12 to book their place in the next round of All-Ireland SHC qualifiers.

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