St Paul’s FonaCAB Ulster Minor Football semi-final
Erin’s Own, Lavey 0-11-0-05 Eniskillen Gaels
From Kevin Herron at Shaws Road
Six-converted Matthew Downey frees proved to be the difference between Lavey and Eniskillen Gaels in this afternoon’s semi-final clash at the Shaws Road as the Derry Champions progressed to the final of the St Paul’s FonaCAB tournament with an 0-11-0-05 win.
Lavey were pushed all the way in last weeks quarter-final win over Drumloman Gaels at Colaiste Feirste, while Eniskillen Gaels accounted for Antrim champions Cargin to meet the other Erin’s Own in this afternoon’s last four encounter.
The Derry champions were in control from the outset though it took five minutes for them to register the opening score.
Enda Downey played a quick free to cousin Matthew and took the ball back before popping it between the posts.
Matthew Downey was involved in his side doubling their lead after cutting the ball back to Patrick McGurk who dually angled the ball over the bar.
Downey then got on the scoresheet himself from a close range free with James McGurk ensuring that his side were 0-04-0-00 ahead by the midway point in the opening half.
Eniskillen Gaels barely laid a glove on their opponents in the opening half hour and took 17 minutes to finally reply.
Midfielder Oliver Hughes Jordan was felled and the resulting free was converted by Conor Love as the Fermanagh Champions attempted to grab a foothold in proceedings.
It wouldn’t prove to be a much needed turning point though as Lavey instead added three further points to increase their lead at the break.
Corner-forward Matthew Downey kicked three successive placed balls to bring his first-half tally to 0-04 and give his side a 0-07-0-01 half-time lead.
Lavey and Downey picked up where they left off before the break as he cut inside and popped the ball over for his first score from play.
James O’Donnell replied through a free for the Gaels but the Eniskillen defence was breached once more with Downey feeding the ball across to Rory McGill who popped the ball between the large posts.
Eniskillen again responded through a free from James O’Donnell but the second-half trend continued as Matthew Downey kicked his first placed ball of the second period to extend Lavey’s advantage ( 0-10-0-03).
The game severely lacked goalmouth action, midway through the half the only real chance of note fell to Lavey.
Matthew Downey fed the ball across to Niall Duggan who weighed up his options and offloaded to Enda Downey who shot straight at Fergal Quinn and the chance was gone as Eniskillen cleared their lines.
James O’Donnell kicked his third free of the half in the aftermath and with little under ten minutes remaining; O’Donnell turned provider for Barrai O’Keefe who landed a fantastic point that narrowed the margin (0-10-0-05).
Lavey were still in relative control of proceedings but were without a score since Downey’s 40th minute free.
The corner-forward brought that scoreless run to an end with his sixth converted free of the afternoon to ensure his side ran out 0-11-0-05 winners at the conclusion and booked their place in the New Years Day showpiece where they will meet the winners of the St Stephen’s Day clash between Kilcoo and Termon.
Erin’s Own, Lavery: J Scullion, J Duggan, S O’Neill, S Melaugh, N Duggan, R Farrell, R McGill, C Collins, J Duggan, P McGurk (0-01), J McGurk (0-01), R McGill (0-01), C Downey, E Downey (0-01), M Downey (0-07, 0-06f). Subs: M Kuzogi for N Duggan (62).
Eniskillen Gaels: F Quinn, C Corrigan, J Horan, J Tierney, B O’Keefe (0-01), R McDonnell, S Conway, O Hughes Jordan, C Murphy, R McGandy, C Love (0-01f), R Bogue, J O’Donnell (0-03f), C Halligan, K Corrigan. Subs: C McAnespy for R McGandy (38); B Hamill for S Conway (41); H O’Hare for J Horan (53).
Referee: Kieran Eannetta (Omagh).
