RAYMOND Gallagher was almost the last action hero for All-Ireland Senior B champions Fermanagh with a sensational 25-yard goal after 67 minutes and a late, late injury-time point.
But just when everyone thought it was all over, and after Liam McBarron missed a glorious insurance chance, cool finishing from substitute Anthony Forde saved Cavan right at the death.
The sides must do it all again on Sunday at Clones after this 1-12 apiece draw, where yesterday 15,000 witnessed a controversial and thrilling ending to a match spoiled by unforced errors, poor marksmanship, and over-fussy foul calls by the referee.
In fairness to Cavan and replay-maker Forde, they looked down-and-out but refused to buckle and played to the final whistle to conjure a Houdini Act.
A few weeks old, the provincial qualifiers for August’s semi-finals of the All-Ireland Senior Football series have now fashioned an incredible seven draws.
Another first-round saga of what might have been, the late rush of drama papered over the cracks of a contest which failed to deliver a quarter-final clash high on quality.
Mistakes were strewn over all areas of the field like confetti, 40 frees were blown, Cavan’s right-back Philip Kermath was sent off after 25 minutes for needless backchat to the referee about a hotly-disputed free, and the finishing of both forward lines left much to be desired.
Cavan: P O’Dowd; P Kermath, C Brady, D O’Reilly; G Sheridan, B Morris, P Sheils; S King (capt.), P Smith; D McCabe, P Reilly, R Cunningham; J Reilly, F Cahill, M Graham. Subs used: L Reilly (for J Reilly), A Forde (for Smith), R Carolan (for L Reilly).
Fermanagh: C McAdam (capt.); R McEnhill, S Breen, P McGuinness; T Callaghan, B King, J Gilheaney; P Brewster, C Courtney; R Johnson, C Curran, K Donnelly; Raymond Gallagher, L McBarron, S King. Subs used: R Curran (for Gilheaney), M Gallagher (for Johnson)
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ST JOHN’S substitute Brian McFall is the toast of Corrigan Park this morning after the west Belfast side shocked Antrim Fottball Championship favourites Cargin with a 1-9 to 0-9 victory.
McFall’s 14th minute second half goal, neatly finished when Paddy Nugent’s effort came off the crossbar, was the score which caused the first major upset of the Championship.
When Donal Kennedy followed hot on his heels with a point, the Johnnies led 1-8 to 0-5 and last season’s runners up Cargin, favourites yet again for that title, looked in severe trouble.
When St John’s Enda McKenna, somewhat unfortunate to get his marching orders, departed seven minutes from time, all seemed not quite lost.
Jimmy Wilson put out the lights however with his 30th minute point and although Matt Gribben got a consolation one for the Toome side four minutes into injury time, their ‘97 championship campaign was well and truly over.
St John’s scorers: P Hannigan (0-4), B McFall (1-0), J Wilson (0-3), E McKenna, D Kennedy (0-1 each).
Cargin scorers: D Gallagher (0-4), A Craig, C O’Neill (0-2 each), M Gribben (0-1). Ref: R Doone (Aghagallon)
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THE FAI have reiterated their opposition to any proposed relocation to Dublin by Wimbledon following revelations that the London club have recently made approaches to Irish soccer officials.
In a private meeting at Saturday’s FAI AGM in Athlone it is believed that several delegates revealed there had been approaches made by Wimbledon representatives to a variety of Irish soccer officials.
It is thought the London club want to build a 40,000 capacity all-seater stadium which they have offered to make available free of charge to the FAI for international games and cup finals.
The Dons are also believed to have pledged to make £10 million available for the development of soccer in Ireland.
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DAVID Beckham cannot appeal to FIFA against the booking which has shattered his childhood dream of playing against Brazil.
Now the Manchester United star has slammed bumbling Moroccan referee Said Belqola, saying: “At times he was so frustrating I felt like crying.”
But, after blowing his top over the decision, Beckham admits it is time he did something to get his temper under control.
Beckham was shown his second yellow card of the Tournoi against France in Montpellier on Saturday night for not climbing aboard the waiting stretcher as physio Alan Smith shepherded him to the touchline five yards away.
It was a ridiculous decision. But the rules state that the FA could only have appealed if the player had actually been sent off, even though it means he misses tomorrow night’s final game against the world champions in Paris.
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COLIN Montgomerie predicted on Wednesday he would win the Compaq European Grand Prix at Slaley Hall and that he would shoot 16 under par for the four rounds.
Well, Montgomerie won the tournament but he was wrong on one count.
He played so well he finished with a 65 for 270 and 18 under, two better than his target, and he left a strong field trailing in his wake.
The big Scot finished superbly, covering the last nine holes in a six under par 30 to beat defending champion Retief Goosen by five shots and 24-year-old Worksop golfer Lee Westwood by six.
It was his first European Tour victory of the year and the 13th of his career and it will send him into next week’s US Open with astounding confidence.
Paul McGinley was the best of the Irish players, shooting a final round of 70 for a seven under total of 281, while Padraig Harrington shot a level par 72 for a three under 285.
