Nov 25,2024
Errigal Ciarán 0-14 Clann Eireann 1-10
Ruairí Canavan floated over a glorious winner off his weaker left foot to give Errigal Ciaran a dramatic victory in a gripping Ulster Club SFC semi-final at Pairc Esler.
It was a ninth score of the afternoon for the younger of the brothers, with Darragh also making a massive contribution to the club's first appearance in the provincial decider since 2002.
A crucial turning point ten minutes into the second half saw Clann Eireann midfielder Tiernan Kelly sent off on a second booking, and a three points lead suddenly turned to a narrow advantage for the Tyrone men.
But the Armagh champions battled back to go level twice late on, before Canavan struck that sweet winner to set up a meeting with Kilcoo in the decider on December 8.
It was Kelly who swept over an early point for the Orchard men, and they went 0-3 to 0-1 ahead through All-Star Conor Turbitt on ten minutes as the Tyrone men, with the wind in their backs, struggled to settle in to the game.
But after Ruairi Canavan landed his second score, and Odhran Robinson broke away for the leveller, Errigal began to perform with greater conviction.
However, a Clann Eireann defence marshalled by Micheal O’Shea, Barry McCambridge and Sean McCarthy stood firm, and they broke to go two clear through Daniel Magee.
The magic of the Canavan brothers intervened as the Tyrone men hot the next three points, all from play, two gems from Darragh and a long range Ruairi effort.
But the attacking threat was always there from a hungry Lurgan outfit, who created a couple of goal chances in the closing stages of the half.
Turbitt’s attempt for a point dropped down off a post into the arms of Daniel Magee, but when a goal seemed certain, Niall Kelly got back to make a dramatic clearance off the line.
However, in stoppage time, they did get the net, Magee involved again as he was fouled in the act of receiving a pass from Emmet Magee. Referee Joe McQuillan awarded a penalty which Turbitt slotted to the bottom corner of the net.
But there was still time for Ruairi Canavan to send over a couple of frees to bring the sides level, 1-5 to 0-8 at the end of a compelling opening half.
Daniel Magee scored from Conan O’Carroll’s offload and Ruairi McDonald was also on target from Jack Conlon’s return pass as the Orchard men restored the two points advantage.
And they protected the lead with tenacious tackling that frustrated an Errigal attack starved of the oxygen of space and clean possession.
The discipline of Clann Eireann’s resistance was impressive right up until the point when All-Ireland winner Kelly, a towering figure in their midfield, picked up a second booking on 40 minutes.
Errigal seized advantage, with a couple of Tomy Canavan frees and two from cousin Ruairi edging them ahead.
But the Lurgan men got their defence reorganised and pinged accurate passes to isolated front man Turbitt, who twice created equalisers for Dan McCarthy and substitute Rioghan Meehan.
But the brilliant Canavan was to have the last say as he split the posts from wide out on the left wing to set up a meeting with Kilcoo for provincial honours.
Errigal Ciaran: D McAnenly; N Kelly, A McCrory, Ciaran Quinn; T Colhoun, Cormac Quinn, P Og McCartan; B McDonnell, J Oguz; P McGirr, P Harte, C McGinley; R Canavan (0-09, 4f), O Robinson (0-01), D Canavan (0-02).
Subs: M Kavanagh for McGirr (27), T Canavan (0-02, 2f) for McGinley (h-t), P Traynor for Kelly (57)
Clann Eireann: E Mulholland; S Heffron, M O’Shea, C O’Carroll; B McCambridge, S McCartney, E Magee; T Kelly (0-01), C McConville (0-01); J Conlon, D Magee (0-02), R French; R McDonald (0-01), C Turbitt (1-02, 100 pen, 0-2f), D McCarthy (0-02).
Subs: A Kelly for McCarthy (20), R Meehan (0-01) for McDonald (41), A McConville for French (51), E McKenna for Conlon (57).
Referee: J McQuillan (Cavan).
