Intriguing clashes in Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Semi-Finals after Ballinamore go on scoring spree against Aughawillan

A hectic day of club action across several different grades in the Men's and Ladies Club Championships ended with a definitive and astonishing performance from last year's Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC final runners-up Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins handed their neighbours and fierce rivals Aughawillan an almost unprecedented 31 point hammering in the Quarter-Finals in Pairc Sean Mac Diaramda.

Ballinamore's 8-16 to 1-6 victory over Aughawillan was exclamation point on an incredibly busy weekend of club action in the men's and laides codes, the footballers of Drumkeerin and Dromahair becoming the first in the county to seal their place in a County Final when the neighbours proved victorious in the Sweeney Oil LGFA Intermediate Championship Semi-Finals on Sunday morning.

However, the big conversation revolved around the draw for the Connacht Gold Leitrim SFC Semi-Finals with champions Mohill, fresh off an impressive 1-16 to 0-11 win over Glencar Manorhamilton on Saturday, drawn to face group table toppers Leitrim Gaels in the semi-final on Saturday October 4, while the other semi-final will feature a potentially monster clash between Ballinamore and their neighbours Fenagh St Caillins.

Another clash with potentially enormous consequences will see Melvin Gaels and St Mary's Kiltoghert do battle next Saturday in the Connacht Gold SFC Relegation Final in Leitrim Gaels Community Field while Saturday will also see Annaduff, who finished third in the Smith Monumentals IFC table, take on Carrigallen in the first of two quarter-finals, the second semi-final between Bornacoola and St Patrick's Dromahair also fixed for Pairc Sean on Sunday.

The Intermediate grade saw a roller coaster of emotions for teams with Bornacoola losing by two points to Ballinaglera at halftime before rallying to secure a 5-13 to 2-7 win over Ballinaglera, consigning the north Leitrim men to the relegation playoffs. That result also meant heartbreak for Kiltubrid who saw Barry McWeeney hit the last three points of their contest with Gortletteragh to snatch a 1-18 to 2-14 victory.

CHECK OUT WILLIE DONNELLAN'S FANS GALLERY FROM SUNDAY'S CLUB CHAMPIONSHIP ACTION

However, Kiltubrid's delight at the superb new playing pitch in Gortletteragh turned to heartbreak when they learned of the Bors' win, last year's Junior Champions have a superior scoring difference and with the teams not having faced each other in direct competition, the Bors advanced to the quarter-finals.

Table toppers Allen Gaels maintained their 100% record with a 0-22 to 1-6 win over a stubborn Carrigallen who tested them in the first half while Drumkeerin secured second spot and an automatic semi-final place when they held off neighbours St Patrick's Dromahair 0-12 to 1-7. That left Dromahair in fourth spot with Annaduff, who over-powered St Mary's second string 3-25 to 1-3 and welcomed Darren Cox back into action with a personal tally of 1-8, leaping into second.

The Sweeney Oil LGFA Senior Championship was just as dramatic as St Mary's grabbed a late goal from a Michelle Guckian free as they edged out Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins 1-7 to 0-8, the free coming with a good deal of controversy as the Leitrim captain appeared to have fouled the defender before driving a free kick into the net despite the goal-line being lined by O'Heslins defenders in Ballinamore.

St Francis pushed champions Glencar Manorhamilton hard in a 4-9 to 3-5 loss while St Joseph's ran up a remarkable 7-17 to 3-10 victory against Kiltubrid. That means that Glencar Manorhamilton will face Ballinamore in next Sunday's semi-finals with St Joseph's taking on St Mary's, venues yet to be fixed while St Francis and Kiltubrid meet in the relegation final.

Dromahair and Drumkeerin became the first teams to seal their places in a County Final when they scored contrasting wins in their Sweeney Oils LGFA Intermediate Semi-Finals, Dromahair getting past a tough Fenagh challenge 1-8 to 0-4 while Drumkeerin were a bit more comfortable with a 4-9 to 1-6 win over Mohill.

The following are the Leitrim GAA championship fixtures for the next two weekends:

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 27

Smith Monumentals IFC Quarter-Final: Annaduff v Carrigallen in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmad 2.00

Connacht Gold SFC Relegation Final: Melvin Gaels v St Mary’s Kiltoghert in Leitrim 5.00

Fresh Today Junior A FC: Glenfarne Kiltyclogher v Aughavas; Mohill v Cloone (7.00)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 28

Smith Monumentals IFC Quarter-Final: Bornacoola v St Patrick’s Dromahair in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada 1.00

Sweeney Oil LGFA SFC Semi-Finals: Glencar Manorhamilton v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins; St Joseph’s v St Mary’s Kiltoghert (venues tbc)

Sweeney Oil LGFA JFC Semi-Finals: Annaduff v Melvin Gaels; Keeldra Gaels v Leitrim Gaels

Fresh Today Junior A FC: Melvin Gaels v Glencar Manorhamilton; Annnaduff v Eslin (1.00)

Fresh Today Junior B FC: St Patrick’s Dromahair v Fenagh St Caillins; Gortletteragh v Allen Gaels; Carrigallen v Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins; Kiltubrid v Leitrim Gaels (1.00)

SATURDAY OCTOBER 4

Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Final: Leitrim Gaels v Mohill in Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada 5.00

Smith Monumentals IFC Relegation Semi-Finals: Kiltubrid v St Mary’s Kiltoghert; Gortletteragh v Ballinaglera (tbc)

Fresh Today Junior A Quarter-Finals

Sweeney Oils LGFA IFC Final: Drumkeerin v Dromahair

SUNDAY OCTOBER 5

Connacht Gold SFC Semi-Final: Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins v Fenagh St Caillins 4.00

Sweeney Oils LGFA Senior Relegation Final: St Francis v Kiltubrid

Fresh Today Junior A Quarter-Finals: All 1.00

Fresh Today Junior C FC: St Mary’s Kiltoghert v Mohill; Drumkeerin v Leitrim Gaels; Bornacoola v Aughavas (1.00)