Ballinagh 0-15
Mullahoran 1-8

Ballinagh joined Castlerahan and Belturbet in the last four of the Cavan SFC tonight when they put a disappointing Mullahoran outfit to the sword at Kingspan Breffni Park.

After an electric start, the winners never really looked like losing this game bar the moment Paul Brady fired in the game's only goal after 17 minutes but it was Ballinagh that kicked on from there to lead by four at half-time.

In the second-half, it was a case of an exchange of frees between Enda Reilly and Kevin Smith which would never be enough for the Niall Lynch's side to get themselves back into a semi-final as Ballinagh comfortably advanced.

Padraic O'Reilly opened the scoring for Ballinagh after just 15 seconds when he was released by Anthony Gaynor to swing over from the right side. Colin Gumley pulled off some terrific work in the left corner to double the advantage moments later and when Thomas Moore lofted over a free from 45 metres they were three in front after seven minutes.

Eddie O'Reilly set-up Michael Brady down the left flank for Mullahoran's opener, but Ballinagh's rhythm wasn't about to be upset as a Niall McDermott effort and a close range score from David Finnegan ushered them into a four-point lead.

Mullahoran's start was flat as their opponents threatened to run away with things after the opening quarter. A well struck Enda Reilly free was only their second score after 15 minutes of play, but they would hand themselves a huge boost moment later when a long ball in was broke down by Paul Brady and the dual star rifled the ball to the corner of Darragh McCarthy's net.

Gumley and Reilly (free) swapped scores after that to keep things even, but it was Ballinagh that still held the upper hand in regards to play as they earned two close range frees for Kevin Smith to swing over.

Reilly responded for the Dreadnoughts in kind down the other end, but the Saffrons finished out the half strong as David Finnegan lashed over a fine point from distance and Smith landed another free to leave their side leading by 0-10 to 1-4 at the halfway stage.

McDermott and Smith fired over the first two points of the resumption to extend the leaders' advantage, with a goal chance going by the wayside for Mullahoran in the meantime.

Reilly was again the outlet for a Mullahoran score seven minutes into restart before they registered only their second point from pay when Eddie O'Reilly worked a quick '45' with Killian Brady and the young midfielder swung over superbly to make it a three-point game.

Ballinagh continued to stick to their guns though and earned frees inside which Smith and Gumley pointed from either end to widen the gap.

Another Reilly free was the response from the Killydoon men and he tagged on another in the 56th minute which was cancelled-out by McDermott's accurate left boot.

Paul Brady had a late goal chance parried by McCarthy two minutes into added time, but it would have made little difference as Ballinagh's place in a long-awaited senior championship semi-final was all but confirmed at that stage.

Ballinagh: Darragh McCarthy; Killian McBride, Patrick Carroll, Conor Smith; Niall O'Reilly, Anthony Gaynor, Michael Ward; Padraic O'Reilly (0-1), Terry Smith; Kevin Smith (0-5, 5f), David Finnegan (0-2), Thomas Moore (0-1, 1f); Colin Gumley (0-3, 1f), Niall McDermott (0-3), Declan Beard. Subs: Paul Galligan for D Beard (36 mins)

Mullahoran: Dominic Crudden; Darren Reilly, Ciaran Sheils, James Reilly; Fergal Brady, Dermot Sheridan, Michael Brady (0-1); Killian Brady (0-1), Noel Brady; Enda Reilly (0-6, 6f), Paddy Brady, Tomas Nannery; Raymond Lynch, Eddie O'Reilly, Paul Brady (1-0). Subs: Danny Brady for R Lynch (52 mins), Daniel Smith for C Sheils (55 mins),

Ref: Jimmy Galligan (Killygarry) Tweet

Most Read Stories