Fermanagh and Kildare edge into Tailteann Cup semi-finals

June 14, 2025

Kildare's Alex Beirne and Aidan Bracken of Offaly ©INPHO/Bryan Keane

Fermanagh and Kildare are through to the last four of the Tailteann Cup after claiming respective quarter-final victories today.

Fermanagh earned their place in the semi-finals of the second-tier competition for the first time thanks to a 0-21 to 1-16 win over Sligo at Brewster Park.

Kieran Donnelly’s men had trailed by 1-5 to 0-4 after Niall Murphy bagged the game’s only goal for the visitors in the 16th minute, but the Ernesiders would still go in leading at the break (0-14 to 1-6) as Conor Love, Garvan Jones and Ronan McCaffrey all found their range in the second quarter.

Sligo got it back to a one-point game within 10 minutes of the restart, with the points of Murphy and Patrick O’Connor being backed up by a David Quinn two-pointer, but the home side got motoring again and Darragh McGurn’s score made it a five-point game with as many minutes remaining.

Pat Spillane shot over a two-pointer and added a single late on but, ultimately, it wasn’t enough as the Yeats men exited with manager Tony McEntee confirming his departure afterwards.

In Newbridge, Kildare held on for a 1-17 to 0-19 win over neighbours Offaly to seal their berth in the semi-finals.

After letting an early lead slip, the Lilywhites surged back in front with a goal from James McGrath in the 23rd minute and that strike would see them go on to hold a 1-7 to 0-8 lead at the half.

Alex Beirne sailed over a two-pointer for the hosts early in the restart as they grew their lead to seven prior to the Faithful men’s push in the closing quarter, which included a couple of Jordan Hayes two-pointers.

A Paddy Dunican two-pointer from a free made it a one-point game late on before Beirne’s free was cancelled out by Shane Tierney, leaving Offaly one short in the end.

The other two quarter-finals are down for decision tomorrow afternoon, with Oisin McConville's Wicklow welcoming Westmeath to Aughrim (1.15pm) ahead of Limerick hosting Wexford at the TUS Gaelic Grounds (3.45pm).


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