County Championships round-up/WATERFORD SHC: Champions Mount Sion are back in the final against city rivals Ballygunner, after a 2-16 to 1-8 semi-final victory over Ballyduff Lower at Walsh Park yesterday.
Having trailed by 0-9 to 1-4 at the break, the losers hit three unanswered points, but Mount Sion hit back with three points of their own and a fortuitous Babsy Browne goal after 47 minutes set them on the road to victory.
It was all one-way traffic from there on with Michael White and county star Ken McGrath playing major roles in Mount Sion's dominance.
GALWAY SHC: There were disgraceful scenes in Ballinasloe yesterday as former All-Ireland champions Athenry edged out neighbouring rivals Loughrea by 0-15 to 2-8 in a quarter-final marred by several brawls.
Just two players - Athenry corner-back John Feeney and Loughrea's Greg Kennedy - were sent off by referee Tomás Holian in a bad-tempered encounter that regularly erupted into free-for-alls with officials from both sides constantly getting involved as well.
Athenry, backed by the wind, led by 0-9 to 0-3 with county star Eugene Cloonan hitting eight of those points, seven from frees.
Portumna, winners of their first county title last year, advanced to this year's semi-finals with a 3-18 to 3-9 win over Castlegar in rainy Loughrea yesterday evening.
Portumna's full-forward line of county player Damian Hayes, Andrew Smith and Niall Hayes scored 3-8 from play between them while county captain Ollie Canning was a commanding figure at the other end.
TIPPERARY SHC: Éire Óg Golden, an amalgamation contesting their first county championship, have won through to next month's decider, where they will face Toomevara.
The combination of Éire Óg Anacarthy and Golden Kilfeacle played some great hurling to emerge victorious on a 2-17 to 4-8 scoreline despite two late goals from Roscrea in the final minutes.
In the second of the semi-final double bill at Semple Stadium, champions Toomevara kept on course for their fifth title in six years following a 2-19 to 2-14 victory over a well-beaten Mullinahone side.
The scoreline might suggest a closer match but Eoin Kelly's second goal from a free four minutes into injury time only served to leave a more respectable look on the board for the losers.
WEXFORD SFC: Holders Kilanerin could have few complaints as they crashed out of the championship when going under by 1-10 to 0-11 to Wexford town side Sarsfields, despite the scoring efforts of county star Mattie Forde, who contributed eight points in a thrilling semi-final at Enniscorthy.
A 59th-minute Adrian Flynn point salvaged a draw for Gusserane in their semi-final clash at New Ross, the sides finishing on 0-10 apiece.
MEATH SFC: Twice national footballer of the year Trevor Giles was sent off for the first time in his career when shown a straight red card by referee Jimmy Henry after 27 minutes of the replayed semi-final against Dunshaughlin at Páirc Tailteann, Navan, on Saturday evening.
DUBLIN SHC: Despite losing dual star Conal Keaney to a second yellow card offence at Parnell Park on Saturday, Ballyboden St Enda's ousted holders Craobh Chiaráin on a 1-15 to 1-12 scoreline to book their place in this weekend's final.
TYRONE SFC: Killyclogher's reign as Tyrone champions came to an end after an extra-time thriller at Omagh, when Carrickmore won by 2-11 to 1-12.
And it was brilliant corner forward Mark Donnelly who swung a compelling semi-final replay Carrickmore's way with a spectacular 2-4 tally.
CARLOW SFC: Rathvilly turned in a blistering final 20 minutes in which they kicked some superb points from play to run out 0-15 to 1-7 winners over Fenagh and deservedly claim their seventh county title in a replayed final at Dr Cullen Park on Saturday evening.
During that crucial phase of second-half superiority, the new champions outscored their opponents by 0-7 to 0-1 and were worthy winners against a side chasing their first title
The major difference between these sides lay in the respective forward lines. The Rathvilly forwards were on fire and contributed a handsome 0-12 of their side's total. By comparison only John Hickey could find the mark of the starting six Fenagh forwards.
