Fermanagh, Down, Offaly and Wicklow advance to Tailteann Cup semi-finals

Dominant wins for Fermanagh and Down

Fermanagh overwhelmed Sligo at Brewster Park, running out 2-25 to 0-9 winners. Shane McGullion’s 25th-minute goal, set up by Darragh McGurn, sparked a run of 1-8 without reply before half-time. Mattie McDermott added a second goal late on and finished with 1-4 as Declan Bonner’s side won by 21 points.

Down were just as comfortable at O’Moore Park, defeating Laois 2-23 to 0-16. A burst of 1-5 in the opening period, the goal an own goal by Jack Lacey, gave them a 1-16 to 0-10 half-time lead. Daniel Guinness added a late goal to seal a 14-point margin.

Offaly’s comeback

Offaly overturned a half-time deficit to beat Wexford 1-22 to 1-17 in Tullamore. Trailing 1-13 to 0-10 after playing against the wind, Offaly dominated the second half. Jack Bryant’s goal on 41 minutes put them in front and they pulled clear to end a run of eight straight defeats before the competition.

Wicklow’s late show

Wicklow staged a dramatic recovery at Corrigan Park, coming from nine points down to stun Antrim 2-19 to 3-15. Ryan McQuillan’s goal had helped Antrim to a 3-9 to 0-9 lead, but goals from Oisin McGraynor and Eoin Darcy brought Wicklow back. Mark Jackson’s two-point free levelled the game before Dean Healy’s point in stoppage time snatched the one-point victory.

Semi-final draw

The last-four line-up will be completed on Monday morning, with the matches likely to be staged as a double-header at Croke Park next Saturday.