Fona/CAB Ulster Minor Football Tournament semi-final
Cavan Gaels 1-07-1-05 Mayobridge AET
Kevin Herron reports from St Pauls
A converted free from Ben Tully and Joshua Shehu’s point- either side of the interval in extra time was enough to see Cavan Gaels book a return trip to the Shaws Road on New Year’s Day to take on Four Masters as they defeated Mayobridge 1-07-1-05 after extra time in Tuesday afternoons semi-final clash.
A healthy crowd descended on the Shaws Road in the hope of seeing their respective side come out on top in the St Stephens Day last four clash.
It was Cavan Gaels who drew first blood when skipper Ben Tully was upended, and he was on hand to convert the subsequent free.
Mayobridge were unable to make the most of their early chances and their best one came when Darragh Poland’s free swung off the large post and into the arms of Ryan Coulter and his low shot was blocked on the line.
The Gaels doubled their advantage when Tully was again felled and after referee Brendan Toland moved the ball forward for dissent, Joshua Shehu swung the close range free over the bar.
Midway through the half Mayobridge responded in the form of a Darragh Poland shot that sailed high between the posts, coming 60-seconds after midfielder Daire O’Keeffe saw his low shot squeeze inches past the post.
Parity was restored on the 23rd minute after Conor Colhoun popped the ball off to Patrick Woods to steer his shot over the bar.
Both sides had goal chances before the break, Ben Tully burst through and saw his goal bound effort turned onto the bar by Michael Gallagher.
At the other end Corey Clerkin broke clear and rounded Emiliano Vennettilli, but there was enough pressure from the covering defender to ensure that he ran the ball out of play and behind for a wide ball as a low scoring, but action-packed half ended 0-02 apiece.
Cavan Gaels regained the lead five minutes after the restart with Tully playing the providers role and Cormac Crotty on hand to produce the point.
An instant response followed, despite being hauled back as he tried to advance, Corey Clerkin was able to direct his shot over the bar.
The Breffni men forged ahead again on the 42nd minute through a well worked Finn Crowe point and Crowe almost found the opening goal shortly after, but the numbers were against him, and his effort was charged down.
Mayobridge would make them rue that missed opportunity and hit the front for the first time with little over a quarter of an hour remaining.
Patrick Woods received the ball in the corner and cut inside before his low shot squirmed underneath the dive of Vennettilli and into the net to make it 1-03-0-04.
Corey Clerkin added a free in the aftermath and the pendulum appeared to swing in the Mourne Men’s direction.
With 12 minutes remaining Cavan Gaels hit back and levelled. Fionn McNamara intercepted a loose pass and picked out Ben Tully and the Gaels captain showed great composure and kept his cool to fire past Gallagher and into the net to make it 1-04 apiece.
Tully would drop over a 56th minute free to edge his side ahead for the fourth time in proceedings.
Their game management looked to have been spot on in the closing stages but two minutes into injury time Mayobridge turned over a Cavan kick out and went in search of an equaliser.
Time was elapsing and the ball broke to Darragh Poland- who dropped a terrific, angled attempt over the bar to rescue a draw and ensure that extra time was on the cards after it finished 1-05 apiece.
Extra-time:
Cavan Gaels were on the front foot and looked to have rued a series of missed chances in the first period, but on the stroke of the midway point Ben Tully was dragged down and he dusted himself down and kicked the resulting free.
The insurance score came immediately after the second half restart with Joshua Shehu showing fantastic skill to jink inside and sell a dummy before shooting over and making it 1-07-1-05.
Mayobridge were unable to breach the Cavan defence thereafter and despite losing substitute Daniel Olude to a late red card, the Breffni outfit held out and booked their place in Monday afternoons decider with Four Masters.
Cavan Gaels: E Vennettilli, D Sommers, C Doyle, E Griksas, C Galligan, B Hanly, MA McDonagh, B Tully (1-03, 0-03f), M Monaghan, C Crotty (0-01), J Shehu (0-02, 0-01f), F McNamara, J Jaskiewicz, F Crowe (0-01), J Dunne. Subs: S Kolimar for C Galligan (18), D Olude for D Sommers (49), S Clarke for J Dunne (53), M Holko for J Jaskiewicz (53).
Mayobridge: M Gallagher, R Magone, B Kelly, J Keenan, O De Rose, D McMahon, C Colhoun, D O’Keeffe, C Keenan, D Carr, C Clerkin (0-02, 0-01f), P Woods (1-01), R Coulter, D Poland (0-02), C McPolin.
Referee: Brendan Toland (Lámh Dhearg)
