Down & Fermanagh progress but Antrim suffer late heartache
· Yahoo Sports
Down and Fermanagh secured wins over Laois and Sligo respectively to advance to the Tailteann Cup semi-finals but Antrim suffered last-gasp heartache as they were edged out by Wicklow.
Down ran out emphatic 2-23 to 0-16 winners in their quarter-final at O'Moore Park, while Fermanagh were comprehensive 2-25 to 0-9 victors at Brewster Park in Saturday's tie.
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Antrim led by nine points during the second half of their match at Corrigan Park but lost 2-19 to 3-15 thanks to a late comeback by Wicklow.
A sixth-minute Ryan Magill goal helped Down establish an early lead and the Mournemen pushed on to lead 1-16 to 0-10 at the break.
The Ulster county outscored their hosts 1-7 to 0-6 in the second half to secure victory, Daniel Guinness finding the net in the closing stages to give the final scoreline an even more comprehensive look.
Eamon Brown shone for Down with nine points, ably assisted on the points-scoring front by the impressive Odhran Murdock, Ronan Burns and Miceal Rooney.
Shane McGullion's goal on 25 minutes helped Fermanagh to a 1-12 to 0-5 advantage at the interval and the Ernemen continued to dominate, Mattie McDermott adding their second goal with 10 minutes remaining in the second half.
Offaly mounted a comeback to defeat Wexford 1-22 to 1-17 in the other last-four tie.
Dramatic comeback at Corrigan
Trailing by four points going into added time in Belfast, Wicklow put together an outstanding late comeback to stun Antrim, culminating in Dean Healy's decisive point in the sixth minute of stoppage time.
Ryan McQuillan's goal on the half hour helped the hosts to a 1-7 to 0-9 half-time lead and further goals from Tiernan McCormack and Paddy McAleer extended the advantage to nine at 3-9 to 0-9.
Oisin McGraylor found the net to reduce the deficit and while Dominic McEnhill's two-pointer put eight between the sides, regular scores from Oisin McConville's kept them in touch with their opponents.
Eoin Darcy netted to ultimately help the visitors bring their arrears to a single point.
Two points from Pat Shivers and one from Niall Burns appeared to have steadied the ship for the Saffrons at 3-15 to 2-14, but five unanswered points saw Wicklow get over the line.
Mark Jackson garnered two points from a free, then McGraynor, Kevin Quinn and Healy all pointed to secure victory.
Conor Hand's contribution of 0-4 had helped Antrim to a narrow half-time lead and they built on that by scoring two goals and two points at the start of the second, before McGraynor's goal put Wicklow's first points of the second half on the scoreboard.
Seemingly in control, a missed Antrim penalty appeared to be the turning point for the Ulster county as Wicklow battled back into the contest and emerged triumphant.