MATTOCK RANGERS 2-11
O'CONNELLS 1-12

Mattock Rangers edged an entertaining contest in Drogheda on Sunday evening to book their passage through to the Senior Championship quarter-final at the expense of O'Connells.

The teams went into this clash knowing it was virtually a straight knock-out and that was reflected in the close nature of the encounter with the result in doubt right up to the end.

However, it was the Collon men who just shaded the contest with Brian Corcoran's goal in the 50th minute proving decisive, coming at a time when O'Connells were getting on top.

Another vital factor was a good start for the Collon men as they were straight out of the blocks and went three points up all scored by Niall Sharkey.

Stuart Reynolds got O'Connells on the board but Robbie Brennan hit the net in Mattock's next attack.

Niall Conlon and Robert Quigley pointed for the Bellingham side but Sharkey and Christy Grimes replied for Mattock who were in a strong position with a 1-5 to 0-3 lead after 21 minutes.

However, the Bellingham side upped their game and drew level with points from Reynolds and Jackie Agnew was added to by a goal from Reynolds. Niall Sharkey had the final say of the half with a point to put the Collon men 1-6 to 1-5 in front.

The close nature of the contest, which saw some contentious decisions from the referee, continued after the restart when the first four scores were shared.

The O'Connells then enjoyed a purple patch and landed the next four points through a brace each from Reynolds and Agnew to lead by 1-11 to 1-8 with ten minutes to go.

But it was short lived as on the Collon men's next move they opened up the O'Connell's defence and Brian Corcoran finished to the net with ease and the sides were level.

Mattock had the upper hand after that and went two ahead with points from Corcoran and sub David Reid. Reynolds pulled one back for O'Connells but Shane Grimes finished the scoring for Mattock who advance to a quarter final meeting with St Patricks.

MATTOCK RANGERS: Mike Englishby; Michael McKeown, Sean Gilsenan, Daire Englishby; Terry Donegan, David Brennan, Niall Callan; Hugh Donnelly, Christy Grimes 0-2; James Caraher, Adrian Reid 0-2, Daniel Bannon; Brian Corcoran 1-1, Robbie Brennan 1-0, Niall Sharkey 0-4. Subs: Shane Grimes 0-1 for D Bannon, David Reid 0-1 for N Sharkey, Keith Hamill for N Callan.

O'CONNELLS: Sean Connolly; Andrew Shields, Conor Byrne, PJ Tuite; Salem Rifaie, Jackie Agnew 0-3, Killian Shields; Sean Cairns, Ciaran O'Brien; Dean Stanfield, Stuart Reynolds 1-5(4f,45), Andrew Sharkey 0-1; Niall Conlon, Robert Quigley 0-3(1f), Cian Doyle. Subs: Conor Kiernan for A Sharkey. Tweet

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