Ruairi Canavan masterclass secures narrow win for Errigal Ciaran
MASTERCLASS: Errigal Ciaran's Ruairi Canavan in action against Shea Heffron of Clann Éireann. Picture: Stephen Marken/Sportsfile
A MASTERCLASS from Ruairi Canavan shot Errigal Ciaran into a fifth Ulster final in Newry yesterday.
He hit nine points as the Tyrone champions came from behind in the final quarter, but they had a helping hand.
Tiernan Kelly, booked in the first half, walked a fine line before a second booking saw him dismissed after 41 minutes for a foul on Darragh Canavan.
With the Canavans playing all the aces, Errigal Ciaran took control and were ahead within six minutes.
Clann Éireann battled gamely to dig themselves back into contention. Points from Rioghan Meehan and Dan McCarthy pulled the Lurgan men level on two occasions.
Their problem was keeping Errigal quiet going the other way. And it was a lost cause with Ruairi Canavan in sizzling form.
Among some of his monster scores was the winner before Emmet Magee pulled a late chance of a Clann Éireann equaliser but pulled it wide.
“We didn't play well in the first half and we know that,” conceded Errigal Ciaran manager Enda McGinley.
“We played better in the second half, but the most important thing, the only thing that actually counts, is getting over the line.
“I'm just immensely proud of the character the boys showed in that second half to keep going and to get over that line. It's an immense privilege.”
It was a tough and engaging encounter with momentum taking a few changes of direction.
Conor Turbitt played Tiernan Kelly in for the game’s opening score but the sides were soon level when Ciaran McGinley played a pass from the corner for Ruairi Canavan to burl the first of four first-half points.
A Turbitt free and a well worked Conor McConville point put Clann Éireann 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes.
Ruairi Canavan and Odhran Robinson were then on target to level matters.
McCarthy and Daniel Magee had the Lurgan side ahead by two before the momentum swung again.
An audacious outside of the boot effort from Darragh Canavan was followed by an instep curler to level matters at 0-5 each.
Errigal needed Niall Kelly to pull a Daniel Magee shot off the line and Cormac Quinn got a vital hand when Turbitt was lingering behind with a sniff of goal.
A boomer from Ruairi Canavan edged Errigal ahead before they were hit for a penalty at the other end when Ciaran Quinn fouled Daniel Magee. Up stepped Turbitt to put Clann Éireann ahead going into stoppage time.
There was still time for two Ruairi Canavan frees to tie the game at 1-5 to 0-8.
Daniel Magee and Ruairi McDonald were target as the Armagh champions had a lively start to the second half on their way to a 1-8 to 0-8 before Kelly was sent off.
Clann Éireann weren’t able get a handle on Darragh Canavan who won many of the frees.
There was a dummy solo and the point of the day from Ruairi to put Errigal back in front.
When Meehan levelled the game, it was a left footed moment of magic for Canavan’s ninth to book their final spot.
“To come from the preliminary round, to come through the Tyrone championship and to get to an Ulster club final, that's huge for the boys.
“There's no point going through that amount of work and then being happy with runners-up medals. We know the challenge that's ahead of us.”
: R Canavan 0-9 (4f), T Canavan (2f), D Canavan 0-2 each and O Robinson 0-1.
C Turbitt 1-2 (1-0 pen, 2f), D Magee, D McCarthy 0-2 each, T Kelly, R Meehan, R McDonald and C McConville 0-1 each
: D McAnenly; Ciaran Quinn, Cormac Quinn, A McCrory; T Colhoun, N Kelly, P Óg McCartan; P McGirr, J Oguz, B McDonnell; P Harte, O Robinson, C McGinley; R Canavan, D Canavan.
: M Kavanagh for McGirr (28), T Canavan for McGinley (HT), P Traynor for Kelly (58) Yellow cards: P McCartan (37), B McDonnell (38), P Harte (54).
: E Mulholland; M O’Shea, C O’Carroll; S Heffron; B McCambridge, E Magee, R French; S McCarthy T Kelly, C McConville; J Conlon, D Magee, D McCarthy; R McDonald, C Turbitt
A Kelly for S McCarthy (INJ 21), R Meehan for McDonald (42), E Magee (49), A McConville for French (52), E McKenna for Conlon (58)
: T Kelly (21, 41)
: T Kelly (41)
: J McQuillan (Cavan) Attendance: 4,894
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