GALWAY QUALIFIED for the semi-final of the Connacht minor football championships after they steamrollered New York 5-18 to 1-3 in a sun-drenched Pearse Stadium yesterday evening.

Four goals in the opening half from the home side meant that New York held little chance of causing the upset that their senior counterparts threatened last week, but they will be happy to have held their Galway opponents to 1-9 in the second-half, especially after the sending off of their star man Shane Hanley late in the opening half.

Goals from Conor Rabbitte and Peadar Ó Griofa sandwiched a pointed free from Shane Flanagan as Galway raced into a 2-1 to 0-1 lead after nine minutes.

Darragh Ó’Connell’s accuracy from dead balls helped propel Kerry to a surprise 0-27 to 1-19 Christy Ring Cup victory over Down in Newry on Saturday. O’Connell finished with a tally of 12 points, with nine of those coming from frees and another from a 65.

John Meyler’s men were good value for this famous win up North as they also had a penalty, taken by Bernard Rochford, saved by Down goalkeeper. Graham Clarke.

Kildare had a resounding 2-18 to 1-10 win over Meath in Navan. The hosts trailed by just two points at the break but had no answer to Kildare’s attacking power after the resumption.

Martin Fitzgerald sniped some good points before goals from David Harney and substitute John Houlihan sealed the verdict against last year’s Rackard Cup winners.

Wicklow followed up their annexation of the Division 3B title with an impressive 1-19 to 2-12 defeat of Mayo in Arklow. Jonathan O’Neill accounted for 12 points, 10 of which came from frees, with another from a 65.

Christy Ring Cup specialists Westmeath were put to the pin of their collars and needed extra time to overcome Derry’s challenge in Mullingar.

A massive shock looked on the cards as Derry led by 1-14 to 2-5 at the interval but they only managed one point into the wind after the resumption. An Andrew Mitchell 65 saved the Lakesiders and goals from Andrew Dermody and John Hardman secured the honours.

Meanwhile, Conor Grugan was the three-goal hero as Tyrone blitzed Cavan 6-24 to 1-14 in the Ulster SHC.

Grugan finished with a personal tally of 3-8 from play as Tyrone set up a meeting with deadly rivals Armagh, who had a comfortable 3-23 to 1-12 win over outclassed 13-man Donegal.

Paul Breen shot eight points for the winners, with Rory Gaffney also making a significant contribution, with 1-5.

It was much tighter at Brewster Park, as Monaghan progressed on a 1-15 to 2-10 scoreline even though Fermanagh led with by three points with 10 minutes remaining. Michael McHugh struck for the decisive goal to cement Monaghan’s place in the next round.

Cork won the women’s National Football Division One title with a 2-10 to 1-9 victory over Galway at Parnell Park on Saturday.

Connacht MFC first round

Galway...5-18 New York1-3

Ulster SHC

Tyrone 6-24 Cavan1-14

Fermanagh 2-10 Monaghan..1-15

Armagh 3-23 Donegal1-13

Christy Ring Cup

Down1-19 Kerry 0-27

Meath.1-10 Kildare 2-18

Wicklow 1-19 Mayo 2-12

Westmeath 5-15 Derry 3-16

Women’s NFL

Division One

Cork 2-10 Galway 1-9

Division Two

Kildare 5-15 Donegal 2-14

Division Three

Cavan 4-13 Waterford 1-10