Shamrocks pip Garrycastle for semi spot
August 16, 2010Shamrocks pipped Garrycastle for top spot in Division 2 when they recorded a surprise 0-12 to 0-5 victory over last year's beaten Leinster club finalists at Cusack Park on Saturday evening. Short a number of regulars, Garrycastle were totally outplayed and were already in trouble when they trailed by 0-2 to 0-7 at half-time.
However, all is not lost for Anthony Cunningham's charges who will now face local rivals Athlone in a mouth-watering quarter-final. Athlone qualified for the knockout stages, despite suffering a 2-8 to 1-18 defeat to surprise packets Killucan who finished top of Division 1.
Joining Killucan and Athlone from Division 1 in the knockout stages are Tubberclair, who defeated Maryland by 2-12 to 2-10 in their 'winner-takes-all' clash at Pairc Chiarain on Saturday evening. Last year's intermediate champions will now face The Downs - who hammered Division 2 basement side St. Malachy's by 0-23 to 0-7 - in the remaining quarter-final.
These results leave former kingpins Tyrrellspass and Castledaly out of the race for the Flanagan Cup. However, Tyrrellspass will be relieved to have dug their way out of relegation trouble with wins over St. Malachy's and Castledaly in their last two outings.
Meanwhile, the relegation playoff will be contested by Coralstown/Kinnegad, who lost to fellow relegation candidates St. Loman's by 0-11 to 0-8, and St. Malachy's, who have failed to register a point and have a -35 scoring difference. Tweet
