Gaelic Games roundup – Sligo 1-14 Galway 0-16:Kevin Walsh's side, cheered on by a vocal Markievicz Park crowd, pipped Galway by a point in a fascinating Connacht football semi-final replay this evening.
Substitute Colm Magee got the vital score with just 90 seconds remaining, although their were protests from the Galway players that the ball had sailed wide as wind and rain led to poor visibility in the second half.
Sligo will point to a disputed score from the Tribesmen in the second half, while the Galway players will reflect on some poor decisions after they failed to take advantage of the conditions to close out the match.
Key amongst them was Gareth Bradshaw’s attempt to find his goalkeeper from a sideline ball. Ace Sligo poacher David Kelly read the move perfectly, intercepting the ball and executing a lovely shimmy before driving the ball home to level the game at 1-6 to 0-9.
Sligo will now meet Leitrim in the Connacht Final on July 18th, while Galway must regroup for the visit of Wexford to Pearse Stadium in next Saturday’s qualifier.
Tipperary 3-24 Wexford 0-19:Liam Sheedy's side didn't have to move out of first gear at Semple Stadium this afternoon as they easily dealt with the Wexford challenge in their opening game of the All-Ireland qualifier series.
Chastened by the ten-point defeat to Cork at the end of May, Tipperary went out to make a statement and built up an eight point lead by the break, going in 0-15 to 0-7 up.
Any hopes of a Wexford revival were shattered by early second-half goals from Lar Corbett and substitute Darragh Egan, with Corbett going on to grab a late three-pointer to seal a 14-point victory.
In today's other hurling qualifier, Antrimscored three late points to come from behind and beat Carlow2-18 to 3-12 at Casement Park.
Westmeath 2-16 Kerry 1-18:Substitute Andrew Dermody wrapped up an exciting Christy Ring triumph in Westmeath's favour with a point in added time as Kerry's hopes were dashed in Croke Park this afternoon.
Dan Carthy scored a goal in the 32nd minute for Westmeath but Kerry’s sharper shooting gave them a 0-12 to 1-7 advantage at the break.
Paul Greville grabbed a second goal for the Lake County in the second half but Kerry levelled up proceedings when sub Shane Brick fired to the net.
The game looked set for extra-time until Dermody, who only came on with five minutes to go, sealed the title for Westmeath with a cracking effort from wide out on the left.
Kildare 1-15 Antrim 0-9:Lilywhites captain Johnny Doyle scored 1-6 as Kildare saw off Antrim at Casement Park in this football qualifier to set up a home clash against Leitrim next Saturday night in Newbridge.
Kildare led by two points at the break (1-4 to 0-5) but pulled away in the second period, scoring seven unanswered points at one stage as they ran out nine-point winners.
Armagh 3-14 London 3-14:Paul Breen's point in the third minute of stoppage time earned Armagh victory in a cracking Nicky Rackard Cup final at Croke Park this afternoon as London suffered defeat in the decider for the second year in a row.
Breen had an outstanding game for the Ulster side, scoring 2-4, but London fought back late on in the game in a bid to secure extra-time.
A cracking first half saw four goals scored but the sides could not be separated, going in 2-7 apiece at the break.
Breen goaled in the 12th minute after following up from Paul McCormack’s penalty, which was blocked by London full back Matt Ryan. Paul Breen then scored with a delicious flick from Breen’s long delivery to put Armagh in to a 2-6 to 0-5 lead.
London roared straight back with two goals in four minutes from David Maher and Martin Finn.
Maher gave London the early advantage after the break when he grabbed his second, only for Breen to find the net.
A surge from Armagh put them four points clear but Finn levelled matters with a brace of frees before Breen sealed a thrilling encounter at the death.
Donegal 1-12 Longford 1-20:Longford defeated Donegal to win the Lory Meagher Cup final at Croke Park today where Garrett Ghee was in sensational form.
Ghee enjoyed a personal tally of 1-12 in their 1-20 to 1-13 victory.
Longford took a 0-12 to 0-07 lead into the break after they took full advantage of Colm Breathnach's sending off in the sixth minute - the Donegal captain was handed a second yellow card.
Paddy Hannigan scored Donegal’s goal but Ghee also found the net for Longford.