Burt into the Intermediate quarter-finals with victory over Red Hugh's

Burt earned a place in the quarter-finals of the Intermediate football championship for the first time since winning the competition outright ten years ago with this seven point victory over Red Hugh’s on Saturday evening.

Early goals from Liam Óg McKinney and Calvin Gallagher got them off to the perfect start at Hibernian Park and they led by 2-3 to 0-4 at the break.

Red Hugh’s, beaten semi-finalists last year, got back to within three points shortly after the resumption, but they were undone with overlapping black cards for Pauric McMenamin and Conor Gallagher that saw them down to 14 men for almost 20 minutes of the second half.

And Burt made the numerical advantage count, hitting seven points without reply to put one foot into the last eight.

Calvin Bradley hit a couple of late consolation points for Red Hugh’s, but they drop into the relegation play-offs.

Hibernian Park observed a minute’s silence ahead of throw-in in memory of former Burt chairman Gerard Callaghan who passed away overnight.

Burt flew out of the blocks with Liam Óg McKinney getting their first goal in the third minute after intercepting a wayward pass and sprinting clear of a trailing defender before firing across Luke Kelly and into the net.

Sean McHugh followed up with a point, before Calvin Gallagher got their second goal, collecting a shot that dropped short and firing beyond the reach of Kelly.

Seven points in arrears, Red Hugh’s finally opened their scoring in the 15th minute through a Cathair Browne point and moments later Conor Gallagher saw his goal attempt saved by Burt keeper Mark McElhinney.

Stephen McMenamin and Keith McColgan exchanged points, before Browne hit the game’s only two pointer in the 24th minute to leave Red Hugh’s four points in arrears.

Stephen O’Donnell fisted a point for the home side just before the break and they led by 2-3 to 0-4 at half time.

Red Hugh’s came out with all guns blazing after the restart with Browne and Liam Carlin, the latter with the aid of post, hitting points to reduce the deficit to three.

Pauric McMenamin was black carded five minutes into the second period for dragging Keith McColgan to the ground, and the 14 men struggled to contain the Burt attack thereafter.

Oisin Kelly, Dara Grant and Liam Óg McKinney all struck points from play before McHugh tapped a 20m free after Red Hugh’s were penalised for a defensive breach.

And with a couple of minutes of McMenamin’s black card still remaining, Red Hugh’s found themselves down to 13 men when Conor Gallagher was penalised for a third man challenge on Caolan McKinney after the latter had popped off a pass.

McColgan and two more McHugh pointed frees, one of which was for a second Red Hugh’s defensive breach, put Burt nine clear before Gallagher returned from the sin-bin and the Killygordon side were back to 15 men.

To their credit, Red Hugh’s didn’t go meekly into the night and with Burt flagging a little they reeled off three late points, a Jack Gillespie free and two from team captain Calvin Bradley, to narrow the deficit but they couldn’t engineer a goal chance.

So, it’s the relegation semi-final and a meeting with Milford for Red Hugh’s, while Burt will pay Naomh Muire in the quarter-finals next weekend.

Burt scorers: Liam Óg McKinney 1-1; Sean McHugh 0-4 (3f); Calvin Gallagher 1-0; Keith McColgan 0-2; Stephen O’Donnell 0-1; Oisin Kelly 0-1; Dara Grant 0-1.

Red Hugh’s scorers: Cathair Browne 0-4 (one 2pt); Calvin Bradley 0-2; Stephen McMenamin 0-1; Liam Carlin 0-1; Jack Gillespie 0-1 (1f).

Burt: Mark McElhinney; Darren Bradley, Leo Kelly, Caolan McKinney; Dara Grant, Tom Doherty, Oisin Kelly; Stephen O’Donnell, Liam Óg McKinney; Ronan McDermott, Conor Gartland, Keith McColgan; Darren Gallagher, Sean McHugh, Calvin Gallagher. Subs: Darragh Donaghey for C Gallagher (40 mins); Jack O’Brien for T Doherty (45 mins); Andrew Walker for R McDermott (55 mins); Gavin Bradley and Christopher McDermott for K McColgan and C Gartland (58 mins).

Red Hugh’s: Luke Kelly; Shane Gallagher, Thomas McMenamin, Jason Callaghan; Aaron McGlinchey, Stephen McMenamin, Pauric McMenamin; Darragh McMenamin, Stephen McBride; Liam Carlin, Jack Gillespie, Gareth McGill; Conor Gallagher, Tim Callaghan, Cathair Browne. James Doherty for T McMenamin (16 mins); Calvin Bradley for G McGill (40 mins); Colm Melaugh and Adam Doherty for C Browne and J Doherty (58 mins).

Referee: Sean McDaid (Urris)