AIB Ulster Club Senior Football Championship semi-final: Cavan Gaels (Cavan) 5-7 Derrygonnelly Harps (Fermanagh) 2-15
CAVAN Gaels qualified for their first Ulster Club final in 40 years following a dramatic 5-7 to 2-15 semi-final replay win over Derrygonnelly Harps at Clones this afternoon.
The Fermanagh side, who conceded three first-half goals in just four minutes, looked to have secured a famous victory after moving ahead as the game moved into injury time, but Barry Fortune’s 66th-minute goal secured a date with Slaughtneil for Jason O’Reilly’s side.
A Paul Ward goal had Derrygonnelly in control early on, but three goals, two from Paul O’Connor and one from Seanie Johnston, left the Cavan side 3-5 to 1-8 ahead at half-time.
It got even better for the Gaels on the resumption as O’Connor completed his hat-trick, but Derrygonnelly fought back bravely with Conall Jones grabbing their second goal to bring them right back into it.
They held a slender advantage as the clock ticked past the hour, but Fortune broke struck late to break their hearts. Gary McKenna did reduce the gap to a point with a free, but Derrygonnelly were not able to force another bout of extra time.
Cavan Gaels: C Flynn; L Fortune, N Murray, K Meehan (0-2); S Murray, B Fortune (1-0), D Sexton (0-1); P Graham, R Maloney Derham; N Smith, D Meehan, A Graham; P O’Connor (3-0), S Johnston (1-4, 0-2fs), M Dunne. Subs: V Coyle for D Meehan (12), M Lyng for A Graham (50), E Fortune for P Graham (56).
Derrygonnelly Harps: D Feely; S McGullion, D Greene, M Jones (0-1); N Gallagher, E McHugh, G McGinley; R Jones (0-2), G Jones; K Cassidy (0-3), P Ward (1-2), D Cassidy (0-2); G McKenna (0-5, 0-4fs), S McGullion, C Jones (1-0). Subs: J Kelly for D Feely (32), L Jones for G McGinley (45), A Gallagher for N Gallagher (52), G McGinley for S McGullion.
Referee: S Laverty (Antrim).