Arva 1-17
Cornafean 1-10

Arva stayed on course for their first junior championship title since 1993 when they overcame neighbours Cornafean in this afternoon's semi-final at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Kevin Bouchier and Gavin Doyle combined for 1-9 to lead Ciaran Brady's men to victory, as they fended off a strong third quarter display from the Reds to set-up a final date with Kill, who saw off Shannon Gaels earlier today.

Arva had dominated the first-half, but the concession of a soft goal only saw them lead by six at the halfway stage, with Doyle's 25th minute strike cancelling out Cornafean's major from Padraig Tully.

Terence Reynolds' charges came flying out of the traps for the restart and reduced their deficit to a point, largely in thanks to midfielder Barry Doyle, but the winners owned the last 10 minutes of the game, outscoring them by 0-6 to 0-0, to seal the victory.

Arva started the game in good fashion with points from Jonathan McCabe, Gavin Doyle and Kevin Bouchier (2) outweighing a Barry Doyle single to create a three-point lead after eight minutes.

Even at this early stage, Cornafean looked in danger of being overrun given their opponents sizzling start, but they'd wipe out all of Arva's early good work in an instant when Barry Doyle's free dropped short and wasn't cleared in time before Tully crashed the ball in from close range.

James Cullen put the Reds in front soon after, but Arva were only getting started and grabbed the next four points via Bouchier (free), Brian Ellis, Fergal McGlade and Gavin Doyle before landing a goal of their own with five minutes to go in the half. Some good approach play from McGlade slipped Gavin Doyle through the centre and the midfielder lashed past a hapless Andrew Smith.

Bouchier and Barry Doyle traded frees on the eve of half-time to leave Brady's team with a 1-9 to 1-3 advantage to work with for the start of the second-half.

Two points from Ciaran Duignan and Barry Doyle within three minutes of the resumption was the perfect tonic for Cornafean from the second-half throw-in.

A Bouchier free pushed the lead back to five for his side, but Cornafean were beginning to discover a bit of rhythm as Barry Doyle began to take a foothold and centre-field.

First, Gerard Sheridan ripped through Arva's rearguard for a fisted score before some brilliant work from Doyle released Cormac Geoghegan and the wing back had time and space to fire over. A long range from Mark Johnston quickly followed to leave two points in it with a quarter of a hour remaining.

Bouchier (free) and Niall Sheridan traded points but when Johnston was once again allowed to roam forward from centre-back and split the posts only the minimum separated the sides.

However, the last 10 minutes saw Arva up their performance considerably as two more frees from Bouchier were backed up by Ellis and Peter Morris to leave five in it with as many minutes remaining.

Cornafean looked for a way back but weren't about to get another soft goal, with James Morris and Thomas Brady to the fore at the back for Arva as late scores from Gavin Doyle and Ellis ensured the win and a first championship final slot in 20 years.

Arva: Sean Donnelly; Shane Finnegan, James Morris, Sean McManus; Stephen Ellis, Thomas Brady, Shane McEntee; Gavin Doyle (1-2, 1f), Ciaran Brady; Fergal McGlade (0-1), Peter Morris (0-1), Jonathan McCabe (0-3); Alan Barry, Kevin Bouchier (0-7, 6f), Brian Ellis (0-3). Subs: Brian Fitzpatrick for S McEntee (48mins), Peter Kennelly for A Barry (55).

Cornafean: Andrew Smith; Niall Corcoran, Eamonn Gaffney, Dan Wharton; Paul Brady, Mark Johnston (0-2), Cormac Geoghegan (0-1); Val Sheridan, Barry Doyle (0-3, 1f); Padraig Tully (1-0), Niall Sheridan (0-1), James Cullen (0-1); Ciaran Duignan (0-1), Gerard Sheridan (0-1), Adrian McCaffrey. Subs: Cathal Sheridan for V Sheridan (HT), Jack Wharton for G Sheridan (55).

Ref: Martin Sexton (Cavan Gaels) Tweet

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