Football
Scotstown claimed their second Monaghan Senior Football title in three years today after a comprehensive 2-12 to 0-9 win against Monaghan Harps in Clones.
Last year’s beaten finalists had too much for Harps, whose 92-year famine for senior county success goes on.
Scotstown will now face last year’s beaten All-Ireland club finalists Slaughtneil of Derry in the first round in Ulster. The Derry champions were huge 4-13 to 1-4 winners against Derrygonnelly of Fermanagh in the Ulster preliminary this afternoon in Owenbeg.
They had no trouble getting their provincial defence under way, with Christopher “Sammy” Bradley bagging 2-3 in the rout.
Armagh kingpins Crossmaglen Rangers will face Cargin in their Ulster first round, after Cargin came out on top in today’s Antrim football final.
They made up for their defeats in the last two finals to defeat Lámh Dhearg 2-11 to 1-5, claiming their first title in nine years.
There were two other county titles handed out in Munster.
In Limerick, Newcastlewest won their first title in 23 years and just their third ever, defeating Drom/Broadford 2-10 to 0-9 in Kilmallock.
While in Clare, St Joseph’s Milltown came out on top by 13 points to 9 against Cooraclare, ending their 25-year wait for the title.
In Connacht there were two big games down for decision.
Former Dublin All-Ireland winner Paul Curran lead Clann na nGael to their 20th Roscommon senior title, 19 years since their last success.
They claimed a dramatic victory, 1-9 to 11 points against Padraig Pearse’s in Dr Hyde Park.
And in Sligo, St Mary’s set up a tasty looking county final against Curry after getting the better of Tourlestrane in their semi-final replay.
Mary’s came out on top 2-15 to 2-9, as they look to end a 14 year wait for the county title.
Hurling
In Galway, St Thomas’s advanced to a county semi-final against Craughwell next weekend, after coming through their last-eight replay against Loughrea.
After last week’s draw, they found things much easier this time around, running out 3-15 to 12 point winners.
In Carlow, St Mullins cemented their place on top of the county roll of honour by winning their 25th senior title.
The defeated the All-Ireland finalists from two years ago – Mt Leinster Rangers – 1-14 to 0-10, for their second title in a row.
And finally in Westmeath, Clonkill won their third county title in five years, defeating last year’s winners Raharney by four points, 1-14 to 1-10.