Kingscourt Stars 1-12
Ramor United 0-12

Christy McGowan's goal made all the difference as Kingscourt Stars edged out Ramor United today at Kingspan Breffni Park to book their place into the semi-finals of the senior football championship.

Having trailed by six at the interval, Niall Lynch's team rode their early momentum in the second-half and never looked back once McGowan hit the net in the 43rd minute to hand them their first lead which they held on to until the final whistle.

Ramor looked to have one foot in the semis after registering 0-10 for the first half-hour via their danger forwards, but they only managed two more points for the afternoon and that suited their opponents to kick on in the second period with McGowan's goal and late points from Philip Smith, Philip Tinnelly and Anthony Corcoran sealing them the win.

It was the losing side that dominated the early stages of this quarter-final with scores from Shane Cole, Anton O'Reilly and Cavan defender James McEnroe seeing them into a 0-6 to 0-3 lead.

The Virginia men built their advantage with a barrage of points heading towards to half-time, which left it at 0-10 to 0-4, as the Stars' hopes looked to be dwindling.

Whatever Lynch said to his players at half-time worked though as two Barry Reilly frees and Corcoran's third white flag halved their deficit by the 40th minute. Barry Tully made it a two-point game before McGowna snuck in to put Kingscourt in front for the first time.

Monaghan lashed over in response to try and stop the rot for Ramor, but their opponents were still in fifth gear after their major and the two Philips were on hand to push the lead back to two before the outstanding Corcoran ensured their place in the last four.

Kingscourt Stars: James Farrelly; Rory Sheridan, Padraig Faulkner, Shane Gray; Barry Tully (0-1), Alan Clarke, Thomas Malone; Colm Smith, Ciaran Gorman; Ryan Carey, Christy McGowan (1-2), Keith McCabe; Philip Tinnelly (0-1), Barry Reilly (0-3, 3f), Anthony Corcoran (0-4). Subs; Thomas Wakely for S Gray; Philip Smith (0-1) for R Carey; Mark McGovern for C Smith; Cian McArdle for T Malone; JP Reilly for B Reilly.

Ramor Utd: Aaron Farrelly; Damien Barkey, Stefan Connolly, Mark Magee; Simon Cadden, James McEnroe (0-1), Adam O'Connell; Anton O'Reilly (0-2), Stephen Monaghan (0-3,2f); Paul Quealy (0-1), Shane Cole (0-2), Cathal Maguire (0-2); Jack Brady (0-1), Daire Sheridan, Jack Doyle. Subs; Brian O'Connell for S Cole (inj); Barry Fitzsimons for D Barkey (inj); Kevin Mulvanny for A Reilly (B.C); Michael O'Reilly for P Queally; Cian McArdle for T Malone

Ref: Ollie Donohoe (Knockbride) 

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