Mattock Rangers made it safely through to the quarter-finals of the Intermediate Championship thanks to a 3-13 to 0-13 win over Oliver Plunketts in Group 1 at Drogheda on Friday night.

The teams were very evenly matched in the opening stages and were level at four points apiece at the end of the first quarter, with Luke Haggins and Gerard Harran among the Plunketts scorers.

It was then that Mattock Rangers stepped up a gear and saw Aaron O'Brien fire in the first goal of the game. The Drogheda side were working hard to stay in the game but they suffered another blow as Adrian Reid rattled the net to leave his team leading by 2-7 to 0-6 at the break.

Alan Carragher all but wrapped up the win with a third goal early in the second half and although Trevor Walsh kept the scoreboard ticking over for the Plunketts, there was no way back for the Drogheda men at that stage.

The Plunketts have the chance to make the last eight when they take on St Kevins in the remaining group game.

St Brides are also through to the last eight from Group 2 but had to survive a late scare before defeating Clan na Gael by 1-10 to 0-10 at Dowdallshill on Friday evening.

The Knockbridge men were on top for much of the game but struggled in the final quarter as the Clans dominated. However, the Dundalk men were left frustrated as they kicked a series of wides in the closing stages to allow the Brides cling on for victory.

The Clans had early points from Robbie Curran and a Mark McGeown effort that could easily have been a goal. However, the Brides came storming back and a goal from sub Cathal McKenna saw them lead by 1-6 to 0-4 at the break, with Sean Brennan, Aaron Hoey and Sean Marry also contributing points.

When McKenna and Brennan pointed just before the end of the third quarter the Brides were 1-9 to 0-5 in front. However, it was all Clans after that but the Dundalk men couldn't take advantage of their opportunitiess, the best of which saw Billy Smith send a goal chance into the side netting in the final minute.

In injury time a very relieved St Brides saw Michael Keane break forward to land the final point and secure the win.

The Clans will still be favourites to make the knock-out stages as they face neighbours, Na Piarsaigh, in the final group game.

O'Connells are into the last eight of the Intermediate Championship after holding out for a 2-10 to 1-10 victory over Young Irelands at Dowdallshill in Group 3 on Friday night.

The Bellingham side made a blistering start and were seven points up in the first quarter but in the end had to rely on late points from Stuart Osborne and Jackie Agnew to ensure they got across the line after the Young Ireland got back level in the second half.

The game was only a minute old when Osborne opened the scoring with a goal from close range and by the fifth minute Conor McGill had added a second.

The lead was 2-3 to 0-2 after 12 minutes but the Irelanders were back in the game when Cian O Naraigh's deflected effort looped into the top corner of the net. With Jordan O'Donoghue and Dean Maguire causing problems in attack, the Dundalk men had the gap back to 2-3 to 1-5 at the break.

The game was level just after the restart when Dermot Mone popped the ball over the bar after initially being denied by a Stuart Reynolds save. The game was still level with 15 minutes to play but it was the O'Connells who finished the stronger with scores from Osborne and Agnew.

If  Young Irelands are to make progress they will need to defeat Nh Fionnbarra in their last outing.

Hunterstown Rovers are also into the last eight as they defeated a disappointing St Mochtas by 1-8 to 0-7 at Dunleer on Saturday evening in Group 4.

The Louth Village men grabbed an early lead through Declan Byrne but Hunterstown soon took a grip on the game and points from Paul Carrie, Alan Landy, Glen Matthews and Ryan Ward saw them lead 0-4 to 0-2.

Landy then struck the decisive goal when he found the net from close range to help his side lead by 1-4 to 0-3 at half time.

The Mochtas began the second half strongly and reduced the gap to two points with efforts from Byrne and Darren McMahon. However, despite enjoyed a good share of possession they were unable to get in behind the tight defence. As a result they were forced to shoot from long range and found that the windy conditions resulted in a series of wides.

Hunterstown always appeared to be in control of the game and late scores from Carrie and Landy ensured that they will be playing in the knock-out stages.

St Mochtas face St Fechins in the final game to decide who will make it through.

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