DUNGANNON haven’t claimed the Tyrone Senior Ladies Championship in two decades, but their mananger Ciaran Sharkey knows they’re heading in the right direction.

Sharkey’s team had come through a tricky encounter against a quality Killeeshil by just two points and the width of the crossbar denied St Mary’s star attacker Grainne Rafferty and her team a memorable win.

“A one point win would have done us” said Sharkey who’s in his first year in the Aodh Ruadh hotseat alongside the experienced Caroline Mc Grath.

“We allowed them to come back at us over the hour on a couple of occasions but look we knew what to expect against Kileeshil – they are a good young team and they caused us plenty of problems so we are just delighted that we are through to the last four”

Sharkey’s side will meet Errigal Ciaran in Friday’s last four encounter. It’s twenty years since the Dungannon girls claimed the county senior title, but they’ve made a lot of progress in the last couple of seasons.

“It has been a long time for the club but I know they are going in the right direction, we have injury worries at the minute and I suppose if you look at the other clubs still here they have big squads. A fully fit side is vital”.

Niamh Hughes scored a stunning individual goal and was the provider for Aoife Mc Gahan too, while Hughes and Emma Jane Gervin impressed watching county manager Gerry Moane. McGahan top scored with 2-4 and others were worthy of note claimed their manager,

“There’s some exciting players coming through here and we would love to see them in Tyrone colours and doing well, that does us all good”

Errigal hit the afterburners in their big win over Aghyaran at Dolan Park. Niamh Gormley, Aoibheann Mc Hugh, Sasha Byrne and Aimee Coyle all did well for the hosts but in a closing ten minutes Briege Mullan, Caitlin Mc Cann and Elli Mc Namee acored goals as Lycrcia Donaghy and Maria Canavan added points for Errigal in a 4-6 to no score rout.

Errigal have a batch of players coming through from the team that won the five in-a-row in the minor championship, and will be favourites to reach the final. Dungannon boss Sharkey points out that they’ve nothing to lose, however.

“We have nothing to lose, the girls have returned well after lockdown and we are happy to be playing football after the year we have had. We will relish the occasion.”

Reaghan Fay remains his biggest injury worry while Meabh Mallon has returned from her travels at just the right time and could join the squad.

In the other semi-final in Tyrone, Ryan Mc Menamin’s St Macartans’s find themselves in familiar territory as they take on Sperrin Og. Players like Chloe McCaffrey, Slaine McCarroll, Colleen McQuaid and Maura McMenamin all starred on Sunday past, while Sperrin Og’s Niamh O’Neill is the top scorer in league and championship to date.

previews

EDERNEY St Joseph’s claimed a fantastic 5-17 to 1-8 win over Knockninny in the first-round of the Intermediate Championship, but they have a tougher test this Saturday (Brookeborough, 6pm) when they meet Division One opposition Tempo.

Elsewhere in Fermanagh, Enniskillen Gaels edged an entertaining preliminary round encounter against Donagh, while Lisnaskea proved too strong for Belnaleck.

Meanwhile, there are some mammoth ties down for decision in Cavan this weekend. In the senior championship semi-final, Lacken take on Mullahoran while Lurgan face Crosserlough.

There are four intermediate quarter-finals as well, while in the Junior semis, Killygarry B face Cavan Gaels and Drumgoon play Crosserlough.

In Armagh, Shane O’Neill’s, whose star player is Aimee Mackin, take on Armagh Harps in the senior championship semi-final on Saturday (Middletown, 6.30pm, and Killeavy take on Lissumon in an Intermediate last-four clash.

There’s an action-packed weekend in Down as well with a number of group stage clashes across the Senior, Intermediate and Junior championships (See their Facebook page for a full schedule).

camogie previews

THE Slaughtneil camogie team seem determined to bounce back from last season’s All-Ireland final disappointment.

They won their fourth game on the trot in the Derry senior league when they claimed a 3-13 to 1-3 victory over Eglish, while Ballinascreen are also going well and earned a 4-12 to 2-7 win over Lavey.

Liatroim and Conduff, meanwhile, are going really well in Down at the minute and have already booked their places in the semi-finals. A goal from Kelly Duffin earned Liatrioim a last-gasp victory over Ballycran. Ballygalget, who are many people’s favourites for the championship, clinched a one-sided victory over Portaferry.

In Antrim, Loughgiel had nine points to spare over neighbours Dunloy in Tuesday evening’s Senior Camogie Championship Round-Robin match, while Dunloy scored five goals in an impressive win over Cushendall.