Boyle turn things around to secure quarter-final place
Rory Carthy holds off the challenge of Boyle's Niall O'Donnell during Friday evening's senior football championship game at Lisnamult. Picture: Gerard O'Loughlin
Second-half goals from Daire Cregg and Donie Smith enabled Boyle to cement second place in Group B of the Hodson Bay Group SFC as they overcame 14-man Roscommon Gaels, 2-14 to 0-14, at Lisnamult on Friday evening.
The Gaels were the better team for much of the opening half but the sending-off of Michael Gillooly before half time alongside Boyle’s two majors were the defining moments of the game.
The Gaels made a blistering start, registering five points — including scores from play by Rory Carthy, John McGuinness, Peter Gillooly — inside the first eight minutes.
Boyle eventually settled, helped by a two-pointer from Daire Cregg, but the game changed approaching half time when Gillooly was shown a straight red card for a challenge on Luke Glennon.
The Gaels still led 0-9 to 0-7 at half time, and added two more scores on the resumption.
But two goals in as many minutes from Daire Cregg and Donie Smith changed the game’s trajectory as the visitors went 2-7 to 0-11 clear.
The Gaels kept at it through the excellent McGuinness and Senan Lambe but scores from Jack Moran (2) and Oisín Cregg sealed runners-up spot in the group for Fergal O’Donnell’s men who also welcomed back Enda Smith to the fold in the final quarter.
Clann na nGael were destined for the relegation play-offs before a ball was kicked on Friday evening, but at least they’ll have some momentum going into that game after a deserved 2-12 to 1-9 victory against Pádraig Pearses, who were already assured of top spot, in Johnstown.
Eoin Colleran was back in Pearses colours, and while a hat-trick of points from the Roscommon player alongside an assist for Declan Kenny’s goal were highlights from the visitors’ perspective during the opening half, two goals for Paul McManus and Ciarán Lennon, alongside a two-pointer from Alan McManus, handed the home side a 2-4 to 1-5 interval advantage.
Ciaran Lennon with a tidy finish 👏
— Clubber (@clubber) August 28, 2026
Clann na nGael with two goals in just 8 minutes, what a start 🔥@ClannGAA | @RoscommonGAA | #ClubberTV pic.twitter.com/WFVXotUGED
Clann dominated the third quarter as Paddy Gavin, Shane Gavin and Oisín O’Flaherty drove their side forward, and Josh Lennon kicked 0-3, including a two-pointer.
Paul McManus also raised an orange flag, and late points for Lennon and substitute Ultan Harney sealed a morale-boosting six-point victory for Declan O’Flaherty’s charges.
In Group A of the McNulty’s Furniture Intermediate Football Championship, Tulsk edged out St. Brigid’s by 2-16 to 2-13 to secure second place in Ballyforan.
Thomas O’Rourke was Tulsk’s hero, kicking 1-12, as his side led by 2-16 to 1-7 after 57 minutes before conceding 1-6 without reply late on.
A dull opening half ended with Tulsk leading by 0-7 to 0-5 at half time before the game exploded into life after the break.
St. Brigid’s enjoyed an ideal start to the second half when Adam Lennon raised a green flag.
But O’Rourke hit the next five points, including a couple of two-point frees, before Tulsk lost Cillian Hussey to a red card.
Between the 50th and 55th minutes, Tulsk showed their experience, outscoring their opponents by 2-4 to 0-1 — the goals coming from Callum Fahey and the imperious O’Rourke.
St. Brigid’s rallied before the end, thanks to a goal from Kian Mulligan, but there wasn’t enough time to fashion an equaliser.
St. Dominic’s confirmed top spot in the group as a much-improved second-half display procured a 1-16 to 1-12 victory against St. Barry’s, who will be in the relegation play-offs, in Strokestown.
An early Tadgh Rogers goal propelled Barry’s seven points ahead at one stage in the opening half but Dominic’s eroded the deficit to a couple of points at the break.
Eoin McCormack and Keith Doyle, who finished with a personal tally of 0-6 from midfield, became more influential for Anthony Kelly’s side, and Darren Donnelly’s second-half goal ultimately put Dominic’s on the road to their third victory in the group.
