Nicky Rackard Cup sees wins for Warwickshire, Donegal and Armagh
Donegal and Armagh claimed wins in the Nicky Rackard Cup today, while Warwickshire made their long journey to Leitrim count, with victory over the hosts at Ballinamore.
At St. Tiernach's Park, Clones, visitors Donegal were 1-16 to 0-15 winners over Monaghan
A penalty goal from Niall Campbell in the sixth minute of first half injury-time tied the game at the break on a 1-7 to 0-10 score-line.
Earlier Monaghan had led by 0-9 to 0-6, but the freetaking abilities of Lee Henderson coupled with some strong showing from Padraig Doherty and Campbell helping to tie the game at the break.
Monaghan were impressive on the restart, with the likes of Stephen Lambe and Trevor Hilliard to the fore.
Monaghan pushed into to a 0-13 to 1-8 lead but Campbell cut the gap to a point with 15 minutes remaining.
Conor McKenna restored Monaghan's two point advantage, but Donegal came to the fore in the closing stages with Campbell and Henderson firing excellent scores.
Henderson tieing the game on the stroke of injury-time, and then placing Donegal in front but Hillard tied the game once again soonafter.
Henderson pushed Donegal ahead once more, with Monaghan losing their shape in the closing stages with Hillard dismissed on a second yellow card.
Donegal withstood four minutes of injury-time to hang on for victory and a semi-final berth.
In this evening's other Nicky Rackard Cup tie, hosts Armagh always looked comfortable in their 1-20 to 0-8 win over Sligo at Crossmaglen.
Armagh led by 1-13 to 0-2 at half-time with J King netting the lone goal of this contest inside the opening 35 minutes.
Gary Waldron (0-6) bagged both of Sligo's scores in the opening half, with Waldron, Keith Raymond and Alan Cawley (0-1 each) adding to the Yeats County tally on the restart.
However, Armagh were always in control as they held out for a 15-point win.
Meanwhile, in the Lory Meagher Cup Warwickshire registered a 2-14 to 1-10 win over Leitrim at Ballinamore.
Warwickshire done most of the damage in the opening half and led by 2-9 to 1-6 at the interval, with Conal Maskey registering their goals.
A low scoring second half ensued, with the Exiles held to just five points, but Leitrim could only add four points to their tally as the beaten Division 3B Allianz League finalists held out for a seven-point win.
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