Fanad Gaels 1-8

A superb second-half display from Lavey saw them to progress to the Ulster Intermediate Club Championship final after brushing aside the challenge of a limp Fanad side.

The Donegal side were scintillating during the first period but woeful in the second.

They failed to record a single score against the Breffni champions, and capitulated under heavy attacking pressure. Crucial to Lavey's win was their superb start to the second-half, with three scores from Darren Jordan, Sean Maguire and Shane Tierney setting the tone for the fight-back.

Tierney led the charge from the front, with the teenager bagging 1-4 in a superb display.

Fanad, however, had things all their own way in the first half hour. Tierney hit two opening scores for Lavey, with Martin Cusack chipping in with an early point.

Davitt Walsh got the Gaels off the mark with a 20 metre free with Michael Sweeney adding their second after five minutes. A left-footed free from Kevin Brady gave the Cavan team an early 0-4 to 0-2 lead but Fanad hit a purple patch to move into the driving seat. With little options available to him, Patrick McConigley hoisted over from long-range on ten minutes, with Ciaran McElwaine levelling the sides two minutes later.

Sweeney's trojan work afforded him time and space to split the Lavey posts. The Gaels struck with a killer goal on 13 minutes through powerful full-forward Seamus Friel.

Ephraim McFadden supplied the big man with a superb ball, after winning Conor Martin's kick-out, and Friel made no mistake from close-range – blasting into the Lavey net.

Further scores from Aidan McAleer and Friel sent Fanad five ahead, and they looked full value for the victory at this stage.

Lavey just couldn't get a grip on their expansive game, and their resilient defending denied the Cavan side any scoring opportunities. However, the New Inns side had a couple of half chances, with Maguire dropping a shot just short of the Fanad crossbar and Stephen Jordan also going close.

Darren Jordan hit Lavey's first score for 22 minutes as the half drew to a close, but this was quickly cancelled out by Friel's strike from distance.

Tierney's point in injury time gave Lavey hope going into the second-half, as they trailed 1-8 to 0-6.

Coach Terry Hyland's rousing team-talk must've been laced with rocket fuel with the Cavan champions storming out of the blocks for the second-half. Early points from Darren Jordan, Maguire and Tierney reduced arrears to just three inside eight minutes.

Kevin Brady and Declan Murphy tied the game up and the momentum shifted in the Cavan side's favour.

Keeping Fanad at bay, they went for the jugular. Kevin Brady again came to the fore, with two awesome strikes to send Lavey into a two-point lead, 0-13 to 1-8.

Everything was clicking for Hyland's men at this stage, they also got the bit of luck as well along the way.

Their commitment all over the park was fantastic. Led by captain Darren Smith and Joey Jordan at the back, they kept the ever-dangerous Fanad forward-line at bay with some tigerish defending. Ball winners Maguire and Damien Smith in the engine room won a lot of good ball for their forwards, and put it to good use in the closing minutes.

After overturning yet another Fanad attack, Murphy embarked on a spectacular, mazy run. Jinking down the wing, he evaded the overture of five Fanad players along his quest – before sending a screamer over the bar.

This put Lavey firmly in-front with a three point lead, and the effervescent Tierney sealed the victory with a last-minute goal.

Ably assisted by Kevin Brady, the youngster showed maturity beyond his years to net past Mark McConigley to send Lavey into their first-ever Ulster Club Championship final.

Lavey: Conor Martin; Fergal Smith, Darren Smith, Declan Conroy; Kevin Donohoe, Joey Jordan, Aaron Smith; Sean Maguire (0-1), Damien Smith; Kevin Brady (0-3), Declan Murphy (0-2), Stephen Jordan; Martin Cusack (0-2), Darren Jordan (0-2), Shane Tierney (1-4). Subs used; Karl Duke.

Fanad: Mark McConigley; Patrick Heraghty, Cathal Martin, Francis Sweeney; William McAteer, Patrick McConigley (0-1), Fergal Friel; Eamonn Sweeney, Brendan Callaghan; Aidan McAteer (0-1), Ephraim McFadden, Michael Sweeney (0-1); Davitt Walsh (0-2), Seamus Friel (1-2), Ciaran McElwaine (0-1). Subs used; Michael McGroarty, Colm McElwaine, Patrick Shiels. Referee: Stephen McNamee (Tyrone).