Monaghan, Louth, Fingal and Sligo will take their place in the Nicky Rackard Cup semi-finals following Saturday's quarter-final ties. A Stephen Lambe goal proved decisive as Monaghan repeated their Ulster championship success over neighbours Cavan with a 1-11 to 0-9 victory at Clones. Lambe's goal gave the home side a 1-8 to 0-6 interval lead and despite the best efforts of impressive Cavan defender Paul Sheridan and the dismissal of Bernard O'Brien, the Farneymen held on for a five-point win. Pat Clancy's Louth withstood a second half rally from Non Ards (South Down) to prevail by 4-13 to 2-16 at Newry. The Wee County dominated for long periods and appeared to be coasting when they led by seven points early in the second half. But Non Ards never gave up and after Liam Moran scored their second goal and John Browne converted a late '65', the visitors were left hanging on for a three-point victory. Newcomers Fingal maintained their impressive form with a 1-19 to 0-12 over a Leitrim team appearing in the knockout stages for the first time at Parnell Park. The north Dublin side laid the foundations for their success in the opening half when they opened up a 0-14 to 0-3 interval lead. With Clement Cunniffe to the fore, Leitrim showed a big improvement in the second half before their hopes were eventually by a Emmet McCabe goal. Keith Raymond and veteran Paul Severs scored 1-11 between them as Sligo saw off the challenge of Tyrone by 2-15 to 2-11 at Markievicz Park. Favoured by the wind in the first half, the visitors led by 1-6 to 0-6 at the break thanks to fine contributions from Cormac McHugh and David Lavery. But despite a McHugh major in the second half, goals from Joe Bannerton and Raymond saw Sligo battle back to win. Tweet

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