GAA club wrap: Ballyhale's drive for five still alive, Corofin exit in Galway

HURLING

Ballyhale's pursuit of five Kilkenny titles in-a-row continues after a 1-24 to 1-20 semi-final win over Tullaroan at UPMC Nowlan Park.

The champions didn’t have it all their own way, and the sides were level at the break after Mossy Keoghan’s goal had given Tullaroan hope.

It was 1-10 to 0-13 at the turnaround, but the Shamrocks made a blistering start to the second half with Colin Fennelly’s goal helping them into a 1-17 to 1-12 lead.

Tullaroan twice managed to get the margin back to three points, but Ballyhale always had enough to hold them off with TJ Reid and Fennelly doing most of the damage on the scoreboard to set up a final date with James Stephens.

Clare SHC holders Ballyea are also back in the final after a 0-24 to 1-17 win over Cratloe.

They will face Éire Óg or Sixmilebridge, who meet on Sunday, in the 2022 final despite Tony Kelly missing an early penalty and Gearoid O'Connell picking up a red card midway through the first half.

Despite their numerical disadvantage, Ballyea led 0-14 to 0-10 at the break and fought gamely in the second half with former Clare football captain Gary Brennan coming on to make his first appearance in this season's championship.

Sean Gallagher did net to bring Cratloe back to within striking distance early in the second half, but the champions were always able to maintain a cushion to progress.

FOOTBALL

Corofin are out of the Galway Championship after a one-point quarter-final loss to Mountbellew-Moylough.

In a repeat of last year's final, where Mountbellew-Moylough won their first title since 1986, the sides shared 14 first-half points before Martin Farragher’s goal moved Corofin ahead midway through the second half.

The holders didn’t panic though and it was the brilliant Barry