By Cóilín Duffy All of the Provincial club action today was focussed on the big-ball code as Eastern Harps and Corofin ensured a Connacht Club SFC final pairing. Nemo Rangers advanced in Munster as did Crossmaglen Rangers in Ulster. It was a busy day in Leinster with Rhode, Kilmacud Crokes and Navan O'Mahony's all advancing to the semi-finals, but Éire Óg and Colmcille must meet again. In the most dramatic turnaround of all of the club action across the country on Sunday Sligo champions Eastern Harps overcame a four-point deficit to finishing three-point winners by 0-12 to 0-9 over Ballaghdeereen at Markievicz Park. Paul Taylor was inspirational in grinding out this victory as the former Sligo player scored eight points, and ensured his side became the first Sligo club since Curry in 2003 to quality for a provincial decider. Mayo champions Ballaghdeereen were in commanding form in the first half and led by 0-5 to 0-1 at the end of the opening quarter, with Barry Regan doing most damage. Eastern Harps tried hard but only managed to cut the gap to three points at the interval as the Roscommon border side continued to stay in front holding a 0-7 to 0-4 advantage. However persistence paid off for the Sligo champions with Taylor in inspiring form to ensure his side have qualified for their first ever Connacht decider. The hunt for a first Connacht club title for a Sligo club since 1983 will gather pace for Eastern Harps against Corofin in this year's final after the Galway outfit overcame Castlerea St. Kevin's of Roscommon in the other semi-final. A late switch to Kiltoom from Dr. Hyde Park was certainly an excellent decision, as the pitch which recently held the Interprovincial semi-finals between Connacht and Leinster once again came up trumps. Corofin gave a strong attacking display in the second half to see off Roscommon champions Castlerea by 1-14 to 0-8 in an entertaining encounter. The former All-Ireland Club SFC Champions took the early initiative and held strong possession in the opening stage to take a 0-4 to 0-1 lead after 15 minutes. However Castlerea battled strongly with Ger Heneghan and Ronan Curran keeping them in touch to ensure the sides were level at 0-5 apiece at the break. Castlerea took the lead on the restart, but points for Corofin from all angles in the second half with 34-year old Trevor Burke giving an outstanding performance with Alan O'Donovan top-scoring with 1-3. At Páirc Uí Chaoimh goals were crucial as a first half brace from Paul Kerrigan for Nemo Rangers ensured last year's beaten All-Ireland finalists progressed following a 2-12 to 0-12 win over Kerry representatives Kerins O'Rahilly's of Tralee. Jack O'Connor's charges were hit with two sucker punches in the opening half following Kerrigan's goals and although battling bravely in the second half, they failed to get on top of the reigning Munster champions. Kerrigan's first goal came after just two and a half minutes and got Rangers off to the perfect start, although O'Rahilly's rallied to level the tie at 0-4 to 1-1 after 15 minutes. But Kerrigan, who top-scored with 2-5 finished his second goal to the net in the 20th minute ensuring a 2-4 to 0-6 interval lead, and although the second half was evenly balanced Nemo's early groundwork stood the Cork City outfit strongly. In Ulster first time Fermanagh champions St. Patrick's were taught a major lesson by the experienced Crossmaglen Rangers, after the Armagh side took a comfortable seven-point win on home soil at St. Oliver Plunkett Park by 0-13 to 0-6. Despite finishing on the wrong end of the full-time score-line Patrick's started brightly and only trailed by 0-3 to 0-2 early in this game with Eamon Maguire providing their early scores. But Rangers experience told as Oisin McConville, Aaron Kernan, David McKenna and Martin Ahearn all kicked points, seven in succession to firm up a 0-10 to 0-2 lead at the interval. Scores didn't flow as freely in the second half, but it mattered little for 'Cross' who secured a semi-final spot. There was plenty of action in Leinster with a 54th minute goal from Mark Vaughan paving the way for a Kilmacud Crokes victory after the Dublin champions had been given a second half scare by Louth side Newtown Blues. Crokes prevailed by 1-13 to 1-9 at the end of an entertaining encounter at Parnell Park with Vaughan's late goal and a brace of points from Longford Senior player Brian Kavanagh ensuring the Southside outfit used their 'get out of jail' card well. Newtown Blues had almost booked a semi-final place after scoring 1-5 within a six-minute spell holding a 1-9 to 0-11 lead by the 53rd minute, thanks to a Hugh McGinn goal. A wind assisted Kilmacud Crokes had led by 0-9 to 0-3 at the interval, but found it tough in the second half, until Vaughan and Kavanagh rallied late to secure a semi-final berth. Crokes will meet Navan O'Mahony's at that stage after the Meath champions recorded a facile 1-17 to 0-4 win over Castledaly of Westmeath at Páirc Tailteann. David Bray top-scored with five points as O'Mahony's held Castledaly scoreless for 16 minutes, after Navan had taken a 0-6 to 0-0 first quarter lead. A goal from International Rules player Kevin Reilly ensured a 1-8 to 0-3 interval advantage, but Navan failed to ease up in the second half, outscoring their opponents by 0-9 to 0-1 with Castledaly's lone point from MJ McLoughlin. At O'Connor Park in Tullamore clinical finishing from Offaly champions Rhode ensured they held out for a two-point win by 2-9 to 1-10 over Portlaoise. First half goals from Pascal Kellaghan and Niall Darby help Rhode to a 2-5 to 1-4 interval lead, with a Craig Rogers 25th minute goal keeping Portlaoise in touch. Despite the efforts of Brian McCormack, who kicked four second half points, Portlaoise were guilty of seven second half wides, which ultimately cost them victory. Rhode will have to wait for their semi-final opponents after Carlow's Éire Óg and Colmcille of Longford drew 2-4 to 0-10 after extra-time in a dower encounter at Dr. Cullen Park, Carlow. In a game played in heavy conditions scores were hard to come by, as defences stood firm. As they had done at the previous round goals from Eric McCormack and Mark Kelly kept Éire Óg in contention and ensured a 2-1 to 0-7 full-time score-line. In extra-time the sides were again evenly matched and must meet again for a replay in Longford next weekend. Meanwhile in hurling action De La Salle claimed their first Waterford Senior Hurling Championship title following a hard earned two-point win by 0-11 to 0-9 over Abbeyside at Fraher Field, Dungarvan on Sunday. Tweet

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