Another busy Championship Sunday is in the books. Here’s all you need to know.
The first big game of the day was in Ulster, as Monaghan faced Tyrone in Clones. In what was a fractious and disjointed clash, Monaghan would eventually win by the narrowest of margins, 1-12 to 0-14 but they really should have won much more comfortably.
In the first half, Kieran Hughes hit the post with a penalty but the Farney men led by one at half-time, 0-8 to 0-7. With Sean Cavanagh well shackled, Tyrone were struggling to get going and when Dermot Malone goaled in the 42nd minute, Monaghan stretched their lead to five points. It felt like game over.
But Monaghan allowed Tyrone to come back into it. Twice.
Mattie Donnelly and Darren McCurry led the fight back for the Red Hand men but McCurry was dismissed for a black card offence and via the boot of Ciaran McManus, Monaghan again looked to be safe, four clear with eight to go.
This time it was old talisman Cavanagh that got them going and he helped drag Tyrone back to just a point behind. They did have a chance to level it but Niall Morgan couldn’t nail a long range late free and it is Monaghan who will play Armagh in the Ulster semi-final.
In Leinster, Meath dished out a massive beating to Carlow, shellacking them 7-13 to 0-6. It was 3-6 to 0-2 at the break and the Royals never eased up, easily booking their place in the semi-finals. Mickey Newman bagged a hat-trick for the visitors but the real highlight from those in attendance seems to have been a streaker who ran the length of the pitch near the end. If you want to see what went on, just click here.
The final big game of the day was in the Munster hurling Championship, and the rematch of last year’s All-Ireland final, Cork v Clare. The Rebels reversed the result from September as they won 2-23 to 2-18 in a wide open game in Thurles.
Cork were the sharper team over the 70 minutes and it was Clare’s indiscipline that really hurt them in the end. They conceded a huge amount of frees and Cork’s Patrick Horgan took full advantage, nabbing 2-11, all from placed balls.
At one point Cork led by nine but Clare battled back well late on to make the scoreline look respectable. However, Cork were worthy winners and while Clare were sloppy, they will surely improve after this outing, so their season is far from over.
