There were several teams from Kilkenny and Carlow involved in Leinster football championship action on Saturday.
In John Locke Park, a late goal from substitute Paraic Gahan proved to be the winning of the game as Mullinavat progressed to the next round of the Leinster intermediate football championship with a 2-06 to 1-07 defeat of Bracknagh.
For large spells in the game, it looked unlikely that Michael Aylward’s side would come out on top as an early goal and point from corner forward Michael Cunningham along with two sublime efforts from captain Stefan Geoghan gave the Offaly men a deserved 1-04 to 0-02 lead at the interval.
There was concern amongst a large Mullinavat crowd that missed frees from John Walsh and goalkeeper Killian Dunphy would prove costly, but they kicked on in the second half as they gained control of a tight encounter.
Two crucial frees from Ian Duggan and a superb goal from Michael Malone reduced the deficit to two points before Gahan dramatically found the back of the net following two guilt-edged goal opportunities that went abegging as they advanced to the next round in two weeks.
Erin’s Own were not as fortunate as their fellow Kilkenny club as they fell to Ballycommon in the Leinster junior championship.
The Offaly team were dominant throughout as they led by 2-08 to 1-02 at half-time and they maintained their control of a one-sided affair in the second half as they defeated the Kilkenny intermediate champions by 4-16 to 2-05 to bring the ‘Comer men’s campaign to an end.
Fenagh’s provincial hopes are also over after a 1-14 to 0-06 loss to Eire Og Greystones in the Leinster intermediate championship.
The Carlow intermediate champions never got to grips with the Wicklow side as they eased into the next round.
Muckalee are through to the Leinster ladies football semi-final after a 3-11 to 0-08 win against Grattan.
Following last weekend’s defeat of Laois side Sarsfield, the Kilkenny senior champions proved too strong for Grattan and now have a last-four tie to look forward to.
