Cornafean 2-13 
Kildallan 1-10

Cornafean are into the semi-finals of the junior championship after coming through a stiff test against Kildallan this afternoon at Max McGrath Park in Redhills.

In what was a must win game for Laurence Brady's team, Barry Doyle scooped for 1-6 and got a goal off the bench from Conor Sheridan to make sure of their side's last four place in the race for the Sean Leddy Cup.

The winners in this one had recovered from the concession of an early goal from Ryan O'Neill (1-7) to lead by two at half-time and kicked on with Doyle converting a penalty for them early in the second-half.

Kildallan, who were already guaranteed a semi-final spot before this game, kept in contention until the closing five minutes when Sheridan's goal hit their net, assuring the Reds that their name will be in the hat along with Shannon Gaels, Ballymachugh and today's counterparts.

Doyle had Cornafean up and running within 35 seconds of this contest by sailing one over from his right corner-forward station and he'd land a real gem in the sixth minute to keep his side in front after Oisin Murray had opened Kildallan's account.

Two minutes later the Ballyconnell men were in the ascendancy however, with big target man Fergal Maguire winning them a penalty which O'Neill tucked past Rory Geogehegan with expertise.

Soon afterwards the former Cavan minor smashed over his first point and the First Ulsters - largely depleted coming into this encounter - looked to be humming.

Ciaran Duignan travelled forward from wing-back to post a brilliant reply for the Reds but they'd suffer a blow in the 12th minute when they lost Liam Duignan, stationed in the sweeper role, to injury, leading to an early introduction for Pauric Tully.

Killian Doonan restored Kildallan's three-point lead on the quarter hour mark but their opponents found a bit of rhythm after that, with Pauric Woods, Andrew Smith (45) and Niall Sheridan all raising white flags to draw the game level.

O'Neill kept up his rich form with a sweet score along the left flank and after having posted a couple of wides, Cornafean rediscovered their scoring touch with Smith booting over and the deadly Doyle registering two more to leave it at 0-9 to 1-4 for the break.

The Fermanagh border men narrowed the difference to one within a minute of the restart through their talisman O'Neill, keeping the heat on the Reds.

However, disaster struck them in the 34th minute when Smith burst through the centre and got himself impeded in the square by 'keeper Ronan Fitzpatrick and referee Pat Clarke awarded the penalty, which Doyle shot low to the corner.

Kildallan hit back with scores from sturdy midfielder Shane McPartland and O'Neill (free), leaving the margin at two, but Doyle and Jack Wharton came up with accurate responses at the far end to cushion Cornafean's lead.

Eugene McLoughlin's men looked to be dwindling until O'Neill struck a quick brace (one free) for them but it ended up being in vain as some patient build-up play from Cornafean in the next attack saw them reaping maximum profit, with sub Sheridan firing beyond Fitzpatrick's dive and into the Kildallan net.

Doyle's only free of the afternoon made it a six-point game heading into injury-time and once the Reds cleared a late goal chance off their line in the added minutes it was game, set and match.

Cornafean: Rory Geogehegan; James Cullen, Dan Wharton, Jason Miney; Pauric Woods (0-1), Mark Johnson, Ciaran Duignan (0-1); Jack Wharton (0-2), Niall Sheridan (0-1); Andrew Wharton, Andrew Smith (0-2, 1 45), Cormac Geogehegan; Barry Doyle (1-6, 1 pen, 1f), Liam Duignan, Adrian McCaffrey. Subs: Pauric Tully for L Duignan (12mins, inj), Conor Sheridan (1-0) for A McCaffrey (47).

Kildallan: Ronan Fitzpatrick; Killian Duignan, Niall Crowe, Peadar Reilly; Fergal Donohoe, Stephen Crowe, Neasan Neary; Killian Doonan (0-1), Shane McPartland (0-1); Wayne O'Grady, Niall Cassidy, Daithi Neary; Ryan O'Neill (1-7, 1 pen, 3f), Fergal Maguire, Oisin Murray (0-1). Sub: Conal Sheridan for N Crowe (48mins, b/c).

Ref: James Clarke (Killinkere)

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