Hotel Kilmore Cavan SFC quarter-final replay: Gowna 0-18 Cootehill Celtic 0-13
A POWER-packed first half display was the dynamo that propelled Gowna into the semi-finals of the Cavan SFC thanks to a 0-18 to 0-13 win over Cootehill Celtic.
The stronger, more efficient Gowna men led from pillar to post with veteran Gerald Pierson superbly leading the line-up front for the Longford-border side.
Rash Cootehill tackling played right up Pierson’s street and the former county star posted five frees in the first half and another point from play as the would-be winners easily kept their distance from their opponents.
Cootehill were laboured going forward but they did create the only two goal chances of the first half but Tom Hayes struck (22) the post and then Damien Sherlock blazed (27) low and wide as a comeback threatened.
Gowna never looked out of their comfort zone though in the first half and a point from seasoned campaigner Mark McKeever and impressive half-forward Cian Bannon saw them steer their way into a 0-12 to 0-5 lead at half-time.
Cootehill were much improved on the restart and even though Caoimhín Carney struck the post, the chasing team managed to pile on the pressure on Gowna with six unanswered points between the 33rd and 46th minutes to leave just three points, 0-14 to 0-11, separating the sides.
That was as good as it got though for Cootehill as sub Shane Briody struck two wonder points to give his side the buffer they needed to see them book a semi-final date with Castlerahan.
MATCH STATS
Gowna scorers: Gerald Pierson (0-6, 5f); Conor Madden (0-3); Shane Briody (0-2); Cian Bannon (0-2); Niall Madden (0-1); TJ Fitzpatrick (0-1); Mark McKeever (0-1); Robbie Fitzpatrick (0-1); David Hyland (0-1). Cootehill Celtic scorers: Colm Smith (0-6, 1f); Enda Hessin (0-4, 3f); Glen Nulty (0-2). Eoin Roche (0-1).
