Club championships across Ulster reach the business end
Ulster champions Errigal Ciaran and Trillick will meet in the Tyrone semi-final in a repeat of last year's final.
- Published
Few competitions offer a starker contrast between joy and pain than the GAA club championships.
For some clubs across the province of Ulster, the dream of lifting a county title is already over for another year.
In others, the bunting is already going up in anticipation of the biggest day of their club calendars and pride in the parish is moving into overdrive.
As the club season enjoys its time in the spotlight, BBC Sport NI runs the rule over those who remain in the hunt for county titles across Ulster.
Drama as Antrim reaches the final two
Holders Cargin remain on course for a fourth title in a row, but their route to the final has been far from straightforward.
The Toome club were taken into the trenches by Creggan before eventually winning via a penalty shoot-out.
Dunloy will join Cargin in the final in a repeat of the 2023 decider after they beat Portglenone in the last four.
The Antrim final will be played on the weekend of 11/12 October.
Tyrone reaches the final four
Ulster champions Errigal Ciaran were made to work to reach the semi-final, Shea McDermott's late goal sealing a 2-12 to 0-15 win over Omagh.
Carrickmore are also into the last four after Colly McCrory and Rory Donnelly provided the goals to seal a 2-17 to 0-18 win over Edendork.
Oisin McCallan hit the net as Loughmacrory overcame Donaghmore and last year's beaten finalists Trillick survived a real scare before eventually claiming a two-point win over Pomeroy.
The semi-final served up two potential classics. Errigal Ciaran will meet Trillick in a repeat of last year's final and there's also an enticing local derby as Carrickmore take on Loughmacrory.
Those games will be played on the weekend of 10-12 of October.
Familiar final four in Derry
Shane McGuigan hit the net as Slaughtneil set up a semi-final clash with Derry holders Newbridge.
For the third year in a row the final four in Derry will consist of Newbridge, Glen, Slaughtneil and Magherafelt.
Holders Newbridge were put to the pin of their collar before eventually seeing off Steelstown in their quarter-final.
Shea Cassidy, Shane McGuigan and Cathal O Mianian registered the goals as Slaughtneil beat Lavey 3-13 to 1-15.
It was comfortable for the 2024 All-Ireland club champions Glen as Ethan Doherty and Eunan Mulholland raised green flags as they eased past Banagher 2-19 to 1-10.
Magherafelt reached the last four thanks to goals from Shane Heavron and Conall Higgins, beating Bellaghy 2-21 to 1-12.
Magherafelt will meet Glen in a repeat of the 2023 final on Saturday 11 October with Slaughtneil taking on Newbridge on Sunday 12 October.
Old foes will meet in Donegal decider
Naomh Conaill and Gaoth Dobhair will contest the Donegal senior football championship final for a fourth time in eight years.
An extra-time goal from Kevin McGettigan helped Naomh Conaill past Four Masters.
Gaoth Dobhair are back in the decider for the second time in three years after Domhnall Mac Giolla Bride's goal helped them past St. Michael's.
The Tir Chonaill decider will be played on the weekend of 11/12 October.
Only two remain in Cavan
Gowna's bid for a third title in four years will rumble on as they dumped out holders Crosserlough as Emmett Boylan and Paddy Lynch scored the all important goals.
Their final opponents will be Kingscourt, who beat Ramor United in the last four.
Meath star Jordan Morris netted a penalty and Ciaran Dermody added a second goal to seal the 2-12 to 0-17 win.
Fermanagh reaches semi-final stage
Holders Erne Gaels, who are managed by the incoming Fermanagh manager Declan Bonner, reached the semi-final with a 1-21 to 2-10 win over Lisnaskea when Dan McCann contributed the all-important major.
Ederney await in the semi-finals.
Eoin McManus hit two late scores as Teemore beat Belnaleck by the minimum with Derrygonnelly to be their opponents in the last four.
Semi-final time in the Down hurling championship
The league stage is over and they are now down to the last four of the small ball in Down.
Portaferry will meet Bredagh in the last four after coming first and fourth respectively, Ballygalget will meet Ballycran after second and third placed finishes.