Senior footballers book O’Byrne Cup semi-final berth

Dublin became the first side to confirm their place in the 2015 Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup semi-finals, while there were wins also for Maynooth University, Kildare, UCD, Westmeath, Meath, DIT and Wexford on Wednesday night.

Dean Rock scored nine points for Dublin as Jim Gavin's overcame a determined Offaly outfit by 0-17 to 0-13 at Parnell Park.

Rock propelled himself to the top of the top-scorers list, as the Metropolitans overturned a 0-10 to 0-07 interval deficit, with the Ballymun Kickhams clubman scoring four points on the way to a four-point win.

Such was Offaly's display, that the Midlanders only trailed this game once in the opening 55 minutes, and it wasn't until Philip Ryan put the hosts ahead in the 58th minute that Dublin kicked on for victory.

Seven players were on target for Offaly over the hour, with Nigel Dunne (0-04) and Bernard Allen (0-03) leading an impressive performance by the Midlanders.

Also in Group A, Maynooth University created history with their first ever win in the competition, following a 0-18 to 1-07 win over Laois at McCann Park, Portarlington.

Ross Munnelly scored 1-05 against his old college side, but it wasn't enough with the North Kildare University laying the platform for victory in the opening half.

Ahead by 0-11 to 0-04 at half-time, the students were impressive, with Meath Under 21 Barry Dardis among those leading the charge.

The dismissal of Darren Strong, following a second yellow card after 23 minutes cost Laois, although the hosts mounted a challenge late on.

Munnelly delivered the only goal of the contest with less than five minutes remaining, but it was too late as Maynooth held out for a historic win.

Laois host Dublin on Sunday in Portarlington at 2pm, while at the same time Offaly face Maynooth University at O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

Late goals were key in both of the Group B fixtures, as Kildare and UCD claimed hard earned win.

A late Pádraig Fogarty goal dented Carlow hearts, as Kildare snatched a 2-07 to 1-09 home win at Geraldine Park, Athy.

The hosts started brightly, with Fogarty's first goal helping them to an early 1-03 to 0-03 lead.

Carlow edged back thanks to Paul Broderick and Darragh Foley, but a late Paudie O'Neill point gave Kildare a 1-05 to 0-04 advantage at the break.

Kildare moved five points clear on the restart, but Carlow battled hard.

Foley kickstarted a bright patch for the visitors at the beginning of the fourth quarter, in a spell which saw Carlow scored 1-3 without reply including a David Bambrick goal.

Carlow led by 1-09 to 1-07 in the 69th minute following a Daniel St. Ledger point, but Fogarty's goal dashed Carlow's hopes of victory.

In Haggardstown, Wexford's Ed O'Byrne netted late on to deliver a 2-08 to 0-12 win for UCD over Louth.

Little separated the sides during this game and the sides were tied at 0-05 apiece at half-time, with Ronan Holdcroft scoring three of Louth's first half points.

A Tommy Moolick goal pushed UCD ahead on the restart, but Louth never gave up.

A Ryan Burns point levelled the tie at 0-09 to 1-06 with 19 minutes remaining.

Although the hosts fell behind, a Burns pointed free edged them ahead as injury-time approached.

However, O'Byrne netted in the 71st minute to deliver a second win in a row for the students.

Kildare host UCD in a winner takes all encounter at St Conleth's Park, Newbridge on Sunday at 2pm, while Carlow host Louth in Dr. Cullen Park at 2.15pm.

In Group C, goals from Ger Egan (1-4), Lorcan Smyth and James Dolan (1-0 each) saw Westmeath claim their first victory in 15 games, with a 3-11 to 2-13 win over DCU in Kinnegad.

Dolan's first minute goal got the hosts off to a perfect start, with Conor McNally and Dublin's Davey Byrne netting for DCU.

Dolan and Egan's goals along with the contribution of Ray Connellan (0-07) helped Westmeath to a 2-5 to 1-6 interval lead, with McNally's goal coming late in the half for the students.

Meath kicked on in the second half, as they recorded a 1-17 to 1-09 home win over Longford in Group C at Páirc Tailteann.

Nine players were on target for Mick O'Dowd's charges, with Walterstown's Ruairí O'Dowd leading the charge with four points.

The sides were level at 1-5 apiece at half-time, with Sean Tobin netting for Meath, while Francis McGee bagged Longford's three-pointer.

Wind assisted Meath kicked on after the restart, and finished the game with 14 men after a second yellow card for Andrew Tormey in the 70th minute.

On Saturday at 7pm, Meath host DCU in Navan, while at 2pm on Sunday, Longford face Westmeath at Ballymahon.

In Group D, DIT registered their second win, with a 3-10 to 1-12 victory over Wicklow at Bray Emmets.

The hosts led by 0-11 to 2-02 at half-time, with Cavanman Conor Madden netting two first half penalties.

Louth's Conor Grimes bagged DIT's third goal, with John McGrath scoring the Wicklow goal.

Wexford needed to finish strongly to deliver a 1-13 to 0-11 win over IT Carlow in Enniscorthy.

Dermot Flood registered the game’s only goal to hand his side a 1-04 to 0-0 lead after 18 minutes, but scores from Galway's Barry McHugh and Tipperary duo Liam Boland and Tommy Nolan ensured a 1-05 to 0-04 interval score-line.

Kevin O'Grady, Flood and Leaving Cert Student Niall Hughes were among those who worked hard for Wexford to stop a resurgent Carlow on the restart.

Anthony Forde, Brendan Murphy and McHugh were among IT Carlow's second half scores, but Wexford finished strongly with Declan Murphy taking some nice scores, and Shane Roche pulling off a fine save late on.

The final round of group games takes place on Sunday, with Wexford hosting Wicklow in Gorey, while IT Carlow face DIT in the IT Carlow grounds. Both games are at 2pm.

Bord na Móna Walsh Cup gets underway

The 2015 Bord na Móna Walsh Cup gets underway on Sunday with a new look Group format.

There's a double-header at Dr Cullen Park, with the Carlow hurlers first up at 12.30 as they host NUI Galway in Group 1.

It's the first chance for new Carlow manager Pat English to get a look at his side in a competitive fixture, while former NUIG student John Paul O'Connell takes charge of the Galway University.

The first game in the 2015 Bord na Móna Leinster GAA Series to take place outside of the province happens this Sunday as Antrim entertain DIT in St Pauls GAC in Belfast in Group 2 at 2pm.

The sides last met in the Walsh Shield final in 2013, with Antrim claiming a 2-21 to 1-10 win at Casement Park.

In Group 3, Laois host UCD in Abbeyleix. The sides most recent meeting was in 2013, with UCD claiming a slender 0-15 to 1-11 victory.

In Group 4, Westmeath host Midland rivals Offaly in Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The teams last crossed paths in the Bord na Móna Walsh Cup in 2012, with Brendan Murtagh scoring 2-6 for Westmeath in their 2-13 to 0-12 win at Kinnegad.

BORD NA MÓNA LEINSTER GAA SERIES BRIEFS

Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup 2015

Top Scorers

Conor Madden (DIT - Cavan native) 2-08 (2-0pen, 2f)

John McGrath (Wicklow) 1-11 (10f)

Dean Rock (Dublin) 0-14 (8f)

Barry McHugh (IT Carlow - Galway native) 2-06 (1-0pen, 4f, 1 45,)

Ger Egan (Westmeath) 1-08 (6f)

Conor McHugh (DCU - Dublin native) 0-10 (5f)

Darroch Mulhall (KIldare) 0-10 (6f)

Francis McGee (Longford) 1-06

Bernard Allen (Offaly) 1-06 (4f)

Ross Munnelly (Laois) 1-06 (5f)

Paul Broderick (Carlow) 0-09 (7f)

* Highest Winning Margin: 12 points (Kildare 1-16 Louth 0-07 - Group B Round 1)

* Lowest Winning Margin: 1 point (DIT 1-12 Wexford 0-14 - Group D Round 1; Kildare 2-07 Carlow 1-09 - Group B Round 2; Westmeath 3-11 DCU 2-13 - Group C Round 2)

* Highest Aggregate Score: 39 points (Westmeath 3-11 DCU 2-13 - Group C Round 2)

* Lowest Aggregate Score: 23 points (Dublin 1-12 Maynooth University 1-05 - Group A Round 1)

COMING NEXT:

Next Saturday: Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup Third Round: Group C: Meath v DCU, Navan, 7.00

Next Sunday: (All games at 2pm unless stated) Bord na Móna O'Byrne Cup Third Round: Group A: Laois v Dublin, Portarlington; Offaly v Maynooth University, Tullamore. Group B: Kildare v UCD, Newbridge; Carlow v Louth, Carlow, 2.15. Group C: Longford v Westmeath, Ballymahon. Group D: Wexford v Wicklow, Páirc Uí Siochain, Gorey, IT Carlow v DIT, IT Carlow. Bord na Móna Walsh Cup First Round: Group 1: Carlow v NUI Galway, Carlow, 12.30. Group 2: Antrim v DIT, St Pauls GAC, Belfast. Group 3: Laois v UCD, Abbeyleix. Group 4: Westmeath v Offaly, Mullingar.

BORD NA MÓNA LEINSTER GAA SERIES 2014

(Dates subject to change)

FOOTBALL

Bord na Móna O’Byrne Cup

January 3: First Round: Group C: DCU 3-13 Longford 0-11.

January 4: First Round: Group A: Dublin 1-12 Maynooth University 1-05; Offaly 2-12 Laois 0-08. Group B: Kildare 1-16 Louth 0-07, UCD 0-18 Carlow 1-12. Group C: Meath 1-13 Westmeath 0-10; DCU 3-13 Longford 0-11. Group D: DIT 1-12 Wexford 0-14; Wicklow 2-14 IT Carlow 2-09.

January 7: Second Round: Group A: Dublin 0-17 Offaly 0-13; Maynooth University 0-18 Laois 1-07. Group B: UCD 2-08 Louth 0-12; Kildare 2-07 Carlow 1-09. Group C: Meath 1-17 Longford 1-09; Westmeath 3-11 DCU 2-13. Group D: Wexford 1-13 IT Carlow 0-13; DIT 3-10 Wicklow 1-12.

January 10: Third Round: Group C: Meath v DCU, Navan, 7.00

January 11: Third Round: Group A: Laois v Dublin, Portarlington, 2.00; Offaly v Maynooth University, Tullamore, 2.00. Group B: Kildare v UCD, Newbridge, 2.00; Carlow v Louth, Carlow, 2.15. Group C: Longford v Westmeath, Ballymahon, 2.00. Group D: Wexford v Wicklow, Pairc Ui Siochain, Gorey, 2.00; IT Carlow v DIT, IT Carlow, 2.00.

January 18: Semi-Finals

1. (Group C Winner v Group A Winner)

2. (Group D Winner v Group B Winner)

January 25: Final (Winner 2 v Winner 1)

HURLING

Bord na Móna Walsh Cup

January 11: First Round: Group 1: Carlow v NUI Galway, Carlow, 12.30. Group 2: Antrim v DIT, St Pauls GAC, Belfast, 2.00. Group 3: Laois v UCD, Abbeyleix, 2.00. Group 4: Westmeath v Offaly, Mullingar, 2.00.

January 18: Second Round: Group 1: Kilkenny v NUI Galway, Kilkenny, 2.00. Group 2: Dublin v DIT, Parnell Park, 2.00. Group 3: Wexford v UCD, Gorey, 2.00. Group 4: Westmeath v Galway, Mullingar, 2.00

January 25: Third Round: Group 1: Carlow v Kilkenny, Carlow, 2.00. Group 2: Dublin v Antrim, Parnell Park, 2.00. Group 3: Laois v Wexford, Laois Venue TBC 2.00. Group 4: Offaly v Galway, Tullamore, 2.00.

February 1: Semi-Finals

A. (Winner Group 1 v Winner Group 4)

B. (Winner Group 3 v Winner Group 2)

February 7: Final A v B

Bord na Móna Kehoe Cup

January 18: First Round: Group 1: Longford v Louth, Longford, 2.00; Meath v St Pats/Mater Dei, Trim, 2.00. Group 2: Wicklow v Fingal, Ballinakill Centre of Excellence, 2.00; Kildare v Maynooth University, Newbridge, 2.00.

January 25: Second Round: Group 1: Longford v St Pats/Mater Dei, Longford. 2.00; Louth v Meath, Louth Venue TBC, 2.00. Group 2: Fingal v Maynooth University, Dublin Venue TBC, 2.00; Kildare v Wicklow, Newbridge, 2.00.

February 1: Third Round: Group 1: Meath v Longford, Trim, 2.00; Louth v St. Pats/Mater Dei, Louth Venue, 2.00. Group 2: Wicklow v Maynooth University, Ballinakill Centre of Excellence, 2.00; Fingal v Kildare, Dublin Venue TBC, 2.00.

February 8: Final (Winner Group 1 v Winner Group 2)