It is a case of déjà vu in the Antrim Senior Football Championship as the 2022 semi-final pairing will be a repeat of last year’s games.
Defending champions Creggan defeated Rossa in horrendous conditions at St Enda’s on Sunday afternoon to book their place in the last four and a rematch with neighbours Cargin.
Gerard McNulty’s side were 0-2 to 0-1 after low-scoring first quarter with Rossa goalkeeper Michael Byrne converting a free to edge his side in front.
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However, a goal from Ruairi McCann gave the Kickhams a lead they wouldn’t relinquish as they led 1-3 to 0-3 at the break.
The match officials discussed the worsening conditions at the break, but the game resumed for the second half with Byrne making a save to deny Ruairi McCann from an acute angle.
With McCann in fine form from frees, Creggan eased to a 1-8 to 0-6 win and will face Cargin in the last four after the Toome men defeated Lámh Dhearg at Dunsily on Friday night.
Earlier on Sunday, the rain also hammered down at Hannahstown as last year’s beaten finalists Aghagallon claimed a convincing 0-14 to 0-7 over St Brigid’s.
The South Belfast men led 0-4 to 0-2 early on with Conor McAleer converting a couple of early frees.
With Eunan Walsh, Adam Loughran and Ruairi McCann growing into the game, St Mary’s gradually reeled in their rivals. Points from Davis McAlernon and Padraig Gowdy gave Aghagallon a 0-5 to 0-4 lead at the break.
With the wind and rain making playing conditions next to impossible, Aghagallon showed great composure to engineer the better scoring opportunities. McCann was lively at full-forward and fired over a fine point with Walsh also scoring from distance.
The introduction of Peter Webb at half-time gave St Brigid’s more thrust in attack, but they should get enough ball to stick in their full-forward line with James Smith and Joe Finnegan well marshalled by the Aghagallon defence.
McCann picked up a black card which meant his side finished the game with 14 players, but St Brigid’s couldn’t muster a shot on goal in the closing stages.
St Mary’s will face Portglenone in the semi-finals in a repeat of last year’s game which went to two periods of extra-time with Aghagallon reaching the county final.
Casement’s are unbeaten in their 2022 Championship campaign to date and they proved much too strong for Gort na Móna at Dunsilly on Saturday evening, winning 1-15 to 0-5.
John McKeever’s side were 0-8 to 0-4 ahead and Ryan Convery’s second half goal helped them pull clear of the Turf Lodge men.
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