IN Group A, Cullyhanna came from six points down to earn an unlikely 1-10 apiece draw against neighbours Silverbridge yesterday.
It was All-Ireland winner Aidan Nugent who was the hero in the end as he fired over an outstanding score from close to the sideline with the game’s final kick.
A first-half goal from Sean Rock had the visitors 1-6 to 0-3 up at half-time before Cullyhanna battled back.
A goal just after the interval from Caolan Reavey, along with points from Nugent and Shea Hoey, levelled things up after 17 minutes, 1-7 apiece.
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Silverbridge did nudge ahead once again with points from Murphy and Peter Carragher putting them two in front with time running out, but a brace from the ever-reliable Nugent, including the final one from an almost impossible angle, saw the sides finish all square.
Three first-half goals helped Steven McDonnell’s Killeavy see off Culloville by nine points (3-11 to 2-5) on Saturday.
Niall Magennis grabbed two majors for the home side, while a Caolan McConville goal put them 3-6 to 0-3 ahead at half-time.
Tadgh O’Neill offered Culloville a lifeline at the start of the second period as he raised a green flag early on.
Shea Magill and O’Neill exchanged frees, while Miceal McNamee added to his ever-growing tally.
McConville and Dara Quinn cancelled each other out at either end before McNamee grabbed another score.
O’Neill again slotted home a goal for Danny Hughes’ men to narrow the gap to eight, but Killeavy had the final say of the day with McConville pointing in the final minute.
In Group B, Clan na Gael secured a second straight victory to rest at the top, beating Granemore by 0-14 to 0-7 away from home on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts raced into an early 4-1 lead, but Clans soon pulled them back to lead 0-7 to 0-5 at half-time.
In the pouring rain, last year’s beaten finalists traded scores after the turnaround as Sam McClarnon and Pete Carr pointed.
All-Ireland winners Stefan Campbell and Shane McPartlan were on target as Clan na Gael stretched their lead.
Granemore’s top scorer on the day Jason O’Neill, who finished with 0-4, grabbed their final point, while Clans finished with a flurry of scores from Jack Lavery, Diarmuid Loney and the accurate McPartlan (2).
The game between Crossmaglen and Sarsfields was postponed following the death of Rangers’ player Caolan Finnegan.
In Group D, Armagh Harps picked up a second successive victory from their short trip to Ballymacnab, winning 0-15 to 0-7
Just one point separated the sides at half-time (0-6 to 0-5), but a second-half surge saw the Harps pull away as they held their hosts to just two further points.
The match between Dromintee was postponed and re-schedules for Monday evening (6.45pm).
