ROUND UP: Semi-finals confirmed after thrilling Intermediate quarters

FBD Insurance Intermediate Hurling Championship Quarter-Finals

Ballingarry 2-23 Clonakenny 1-14

Man of the Match: Simon Blackmore (Ballingarry)

Referee: Joe Leahy (Moyne Templetuohy)

Ballingarry produced a powerful second-half performance in decent conditions in Templetuohy to book their place in the Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals with an impressive 2-23 to 1-14 victory over Clonakenny.

There was little between the sides during the opening half, with Ballingarry taking a 0-11 to 0-8 lead into the interval. Dylan Walsh was central to their scoring effort, while Simon Blackmore, despite being listed in the forwards, operated as an extra defender and ran the game from deep.

Ballingarry took complete control after the restart. Ben Ivers struck two crucial goals, his first arriving just four minutes into the second half before he found the net again midway through the half to put Ballingarry firmly in command.

Clonakenny responded with a Cian O'Dwyer goal from a free, but they were unable to halt Ballingarry's momentum. Walsh was the game's outstanding scorer, finishing with 0-14, including four points from play, while Ivers contributed 2-1. Diarmuid Ryan and Tommy McGrath added 0-2 each.

For Clonakenny, O'Dwyer led the way with 1-4, while MJ Carroll and Delacy Byrne finished with 0-3 apiece.

A three-point half-time advantage became a convincing 12-point Ballingarry victory.

Cappawhite 1-16 Kilsheelan Kilcash 1-12

Man of the Match: Dara McCarthy (Cappawhite)

Referee: Alan Graham (Roscrea)

Cappawhite booked their place in the Intermediate Hurling Championship semi-finals with a deserved 1-16 to 1-12 victory over Kilsheelan Kilcash in difficult underfoot conditions in Golden.

The conditions contributed to a tough, dour opening half where scores were at a premium. Cappawhite held a slender 0-7 to 0-6 half-time lead before the contest opened up considerably after the restart.

The Cappawhite rearguard was excellent throughout, keeping the dangerous Mark Kehoe scoreless and limiting the influence of Barry Kehoe. Kilsheelan Kilcash managed just 1-4 from play, with Martin Gibbs carrying much of their scoring threat from placed balls, finishing with 0-9.

The decisive exchanges came early in the second half. Dara McCarthy struck Cappawhite's goal before Barry Kehoe replied with a goal for Kilsheelan Kilcash less than three minutes later.

McCarthy was the driving force in the Cappawhite attack. He finished with 1-7, including 1-2 from play, while also winning frees and bringing others into the game, contributing at least four assists.

Colm O'Dwyer added 0-3, with Conor Martin and David Buckley contributing 0-2 each, as Cappawhite's defensive solidity and greater attacking threat carried them to a four-point victory.

Borrisokane 1-22 Skeheenarinky 1-20

Man of the Match: Gary Ryan

Referee: Gerry Treacy (Borris-Ileigh)

Borrisokane dug deep in the second half to edge a thrilling Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final against Skeheenarinky, winning 1-22 to 1-20 in excellent conditions in Dundrum.

Skeheenarinky carried a 1-11 to 0-9 lead into half-time, with Tomas Vaughan finding the net early and Conor and Tommy Sweeney, along with Darragh Brennan, causing plenty of problems for the Borrisokane defence.

Borrisokane responded impressively after the break, with Gary Ryan the standout performer, finishing with a superb 0-8, all from play. Oisín Larkin contributed 0-9, including two from play, as Borrisokane gradually reeled in the South side.

A crucial two-minute spell midway through the second half proved costly for Skeheenarinky. They passed up two opportunities from frees while Borrisokane converted twice at the other end, producing a significant swing in momentum.

The decisive score arrived when Philip Austin struck Borrisokane's goal, putting them in control entering the closing stages. Skeheenarinky battled to the finish, with Vaughan ending on 1-6 and Brennan contributing 0-5, but missed opportunities ultimately proved costly.

Borrisokane held firm to win by two and advance to a second successive county semi-final, following three consecutive quarter-final defeats before that.

Arravale Rovers 0-21 Portroe 0-16

Man of the Match: Jaye Cilvinas (Arravale Rovers)

Referee: Tom McGlinchey (Newport)

Arravale Rovers produced an impressive second-half performance to overcome Portroe by 0-21 to 0-16 in their Intermediate Hurling Championship quarter-final in Borris-Ileigh.

The opening half was closely fought, with the sides level on several occasions before Portroe finished the half strongly. John Sheedy was central to their scoring effort and they carried a 0-10 to 0-7 lead into the break.

Arravale wasted little time wiping out that advantage. They hit the opening three points after the restart to draw level at 0-10 apiece, completely changing the momentum of the contest.

From there, Arravale gradually took control. Jaye Cilvinas was outstanding, hitting 0-5 from play in a hugely influential display, while Orrin Jones finished with 0-9, including four points from play. Seán O'Mahony also chipped in with three important points from play.

Portroe remained in contention, with Sheedy accounting for 0-11 of their 0-16 total, but they struggled to contain Arravale as the game entered its decisive stages.

The Tipperary Town side finished strongly, stretching their advantage late on and eventually running out deserved five-point winners, booking their place in the county semi-finals with another impressive championship performance.