Drama as Melvin Gaels and Kiltubrid draw while Annaduff and Glencar Manorhamilton battle to avoid the drop

Melvin Gaels and Kiltubrid will meet for the third week in a row after a dramatic conclusion to Saturday's Smith Monumentals IFC Quarter-Final in Mohill's Philly McGuinness as advancing darkness meant that the game could not proceed to it's scheduled extra-time.

After Drumkeerin finished strongly to see off a dogged challenge from St Mary's Kiltoghert in the first quarter-final in Mohill, the north Leitrim men winning out 2-13 to 0-10 after goals from James Gallagher and Luke Fee sealed their place in the semi-final. That victory sees them face Allen Gaels in the semi-final with Carrigallen to take on the winners of Melvin Gaels and Kiltubrid.

The draw was also made for the semi-finals of the Fresh Today Junior A Championship with Cloone, who defeated Annaduff's second string side 2-13 to 0-7 on Friday evening, drawn to face a Bornacoola side who defeated them 4-14 to 1-15 in the final group stages game in the first semi-final. The second semi-final will see table toppers Carrigallen take on the winners of Sunday's Eslin and Glenfarne Kiltyclogher semi-final.

Saturday's semi-final ended with Kiltubrid hitting four unanswered points over the final 11 minutes of normal time to force a draw, 2-4 to 1-7. Melvin Gaels had take control of the contest when two goals from Michael Ferguson put them in control early in the second half but it could have been even more had former Leitrim keeper Noel Gill not made two great saves to deny Joe McGloin and Ferguson.

Melvin Gaels also had a goal disallowed and, in the final two minutes of normal time, a point disallowed in controversial circumstances. Michael Ferguson was injured and referee Enda Egan stopped play, the Fenagh official ordering the Melvin Gaels full-forward to leave the field under match regulations. 

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Ferguson went to the side of the pitch and when Melvin Gaels won a mark, they played the ball quickly to Ferguson who blasted the ball over the bar, prompting fierce Kiltubrid protests that Ferguson had not left the field. Referee Egan consulted with his linesman Michael McGirl, overturned the point and booked Ferguson so instead of being three clear, Melvin Gaels remained two in front.

That left the door open for Kiltubrid and they kicked it open with Barry McWeeney converting a free before sub Shane Meehan drove over an equaliser over two minutes into the three minutes of added time.

Extra-time was announced but with fading light and after consultations with County Board officials and his officials, referee Enda Egan called off the game, meaning a replay next week with the winners to face Carrigallen just a week later in the semi-finals.

In the Connacht Gold SFC Relegation semi-finals, Annaduff and Glencar Manorhamilton will battle it out to see who survives in the Senior grade for 2025 after they secured victories over St Patrick's Dromahair and Gortletteragh respectively, the losing teams immediately relegated to the Intermediate ranks for next year.

Annaduff started strongly and led 0-6 to 0-1 at halftime against Dromahair, a Niall Quigley goal a minute into the second half giving them an enormous boost. Despite losing Daniel Bosquette to a black card, Annaduff actually increased their lead by a point during his time off the field and when Dillon Keane fired home a second goal, victory was assured for Padraig McGourty's team.

Dromahair did find the net through Gary Fowley five minutes from the end but it was to little avail as Annaduff ran out 2-10 to 1-4 winners, their second victory over Dromahair in this campaign.

Glencar Manorhamilton avenged their first round draw with Gortletteragh by scoring a 1-11 to 0-8 on Saturday evening. The north Leitrim side led 0-7 to 0-4 at halftime but Gortletteragh closed the gap to a point ten minutes into the second half. Glencar Manor hit a decisive blow when Leitrim star Barry McNulty goaled with five minutes of normal time remaining to open up a five point lead.

Gortletteragh would manage just one more point but two points from Killian McGriskin and Aaron Hickey ensured the Manor side a place in the relgation final.