Seven becomes six in race for Mickey Cunniffe Cup
Finn Killion, with his grandfather John Torpey, hit 0-9 to help Roscommon Gaels reach this year's senior hurling championship quarter-finals.
The path towards the Mickey Cunniffe Cup was laid bare for the six teams remaining in this year’s Kepak Roscommon Senior Hurling Championship following Sunday afternoon's final two group games at Lisnamult.
Roscommon Gaels sent Tremane crashing out of the championship after a 1-17 to 3-8 victory to set up a quarter-final meeting against Pádraig Pearses.
With the wind at their backs, the home side dominated the opening half, hitting the opening six points of the game.
Peter Kellehan’s 15th minute goal handed Tremane a lifeline but 1-2 without reply from the hosts — Eoin Kiernan getting the goal — was the catalyst for Roscommon Gaels’ 1-10 to 1-3 half-time buffer.
Peter Kellehan’s second goal of the afternoon was cancelled out by a hat-trick of Roscommon Gaels points, including a brace from their top scorer Finn Killion.
But Tremane hit back with 1-5 without reply — the goal coming from John Brennan — and it could have been better, only for a stunning save from Roscommon Gaels goalkeeper Brendan Quinn to deny Padraig Brennan.
But late points from Richard Walsh and Killion — his ninth of the afternoon — saw Ronan O’Meara’s side scrape through and eliminate their opponents.
With the Gaels now confirmed to play Pádraig Pearses in the quarter-finals, St. Dominic’s will meet Athleague in the other quarter-final.
In the first game of the afternoon, goals in either half from James Fitzmaurice and Liam Óg Coyle gave Four Roads a 2-14 to 0-14 victory against Oran.
Both teams were already assured of their place in the semi-finals but Four Roads, by virtue of topping the table, will meet either Roscommon Gaels or Pádraig Pearses in the last four.
St. Dominic’s v Athleague
Roscommon Gaels v Pádraig Pearses
Oran v St. Dominic’s/Athleague
Four Roads v Roscommon Gaels/Pádraig Pearses
