Carrigallen & Allen Gaels claim semi-final spots in Smith Monumentals IFC after final round

Carrigallen and Allen Gaels booked their places in the Smith Monumentals Leitrim Intermediate Championship Semi-Finals after both recorded big wins on Sunday, the Drumshanbo men pipping last year's finalists Melvin Gaels thjanks to a superior scoring difference while Aughavas also lost on qualifying for the knockout stages due to scoring difference.

Carrigallen did what was expected as they overwhelmed Drumreilly neighbours 3-17 to 1-5 to seal top place in the table at the end of the group stages. The home side got off to a flying start with six points on the board before Jake Hackett goaled after 13 minutes. Colm Kiernan added a second goal before Drumreilly pulled back a goal of their own but they still trailed 2-12 to 1-2 at the break.

The scoring rate slowed considerably in the second half but Carrigallen added a third goal and a second for Jake Hackett to run out comprehensive winners, undefeated with three wins and one draw from four outings.

Allen Gaels were also undefeated, two wins and two draws, after they blew Aughnasheelin aside in the first half to win 2-18 to 1-5 in Shane McGettigan Park. The impressive Ciaran McMorrow, back in the starting line-up after injury, got the ball rolling with a cracking goal six minutes into the game as the Gaels surged into a 1-8 to 0-1 lead after 20 minutes.

A Fintan Fitzpatrick goal gave Aughnasheelin a bit of hope for the second half as they would have the wind at their backs and when Sean McWeeney drilled a 50 over the bar two minutes into the second half, the visitors got a bit of hope. However, Caleb Duffy soon eased any nerves as he cut in from the wing to fire home Allen Gaels' second goal.

CONNACHT GOLD SENIOR FC SEMI-FINALS SET AFTER QUARTER FINAL WINS FOR ST MARY'S & FENAGH

An impressive Gaels were able to run their bench as they cruised to a 16 point victory, a margin that was important as it lifted them well above Melvin Gaels who fought out a tough 0-10 to 1-5 victory over Kiltubrid in Melvin Park on Sunday. A low scoring first half saw one score for both teams in the opening 20 minutes, the scores level at 0-2 apiece at the break.

Kiltubrid went in front early in the second half but three unanswered points from the hosts had them in front and while the visitors cut the gap back to two points, Melvin Gaels bossed most of the second half, opening up a five point lead as the game entered added time. However, a Dermot McKeon penalty put the game back in the balance, the Kinlough men holding on for victory.

That win means they meet Kiltubrid again next weekend in the quarter-finals while Drumkeerin, who had a chance to seal an automatic semi-final spot, must now face St Mary's who beat Ballinaglera 2-4 to 0-8 in Pairc Naomh Mhuire. Aughavas, who needed St Mary's to lose to qualify for the quarter-finals, did their part with a 0-10 to 1-5 victory away to Drumkeerin, opening up a big early lead and holding on.

However, St Mary's ended their hopes when beating Ballinaglera at home - the north Leitrim men surged into an early two point lead but a 1-1 blast from the home side inside the first six minutes put them in front and another point left them 1-2 to 0-5 ahead at the break and a second goal, just two minutes into the second half, gave them an enormous boost.

Ballinaglera, who were destined for the relegation semi-finals regardless of the result, hit three unanswered points to trail by just a point with just over ten minutes left in the game but two late points for the Carrick men saw their second string side secure a place in the quarter-finals.