Gowna and Crosserlough power into Cavan SFC semi-finals

Gowna's Tiarnan Madden scores a point ©INPHO/John McVitty

Gowna proved too strong for Ramor United this evening as they recorded 0-21 to 0-10 win at Kingspan Breffni to move into the semi-finals of the Cavan senior football championship.

Vinny Corey’s side never looked back from the moment Ryan Donohoe’s point put them into a 0-3 to 0-2 lead in the 14th minute.

From there, the scores of Fiachra Brady (3) and Odhran Madden helped the Longford border men to hold a 0-7 to 0-2 at the break and they’d up it a gear after the change of ends.

Two-pointers by Tiarnan Madden and Conor Casey would increase the Gowna lead to nine ahead of Brady pushing it to double digits.

Ramor got a sorely needed score from Ben O’Hara from beyond the arc, but their opponents would push on as Daire Madden, Odhran Madden and Casey (two-pointer) hit scores ahead of substitute Conor Madden bringing their tally to 0-20.

Brady put 13 points between the sides on the hour mark, with another O’Hara two-pointer rounding off the Virginia men’s tally in injury-time.

Earlier at the Cavan Town venue, Crosserlough secured their place in the last four of the Oliver Plunkett Cup race with a convincing 0-22 to 0-12 victory over Mullahoran.

The sides traded early scores before Crosserlough took firm control, reeling off 10 unanswered points to build a commanding 0-15 to 0-5 half-time lead.

Paddy Lynch led the way in attack for the Kilnaleck men, while Brandon Boylan added four points from play as Crosserlough made the most of their dominance around the middle third.

Mullahoran improved after the restart and managed to reduce the deficit, but Crosserlough kept composed and never looked in serious danger of surrendering their advantage.

Further scores from Lynch, Boylan and Oran Rehill down the home stretch ensured a comfortable finish for Finbar O'Reilly's side who will now face Gowna for a place in the final.

On Saturday, defending champions Kingscourt Stars came from behind to defeat Cavan Gaels by 1-13 to 0-10 to seal their semi-final return.

The Gaels looked the more comfortable side during a cagey opening half at Kingspan Breffni and deservedly led 0-8 to 0-3 at the interval, leaving the holders with plenty of work to do.

The Stars responded emphatically after the break. Cian Shekleton's goal on 39 minutes proved the turning point, suddenly transforming the contest and giving Kingscourt the momentum they had been lacking.

The holders capitalised on that surge as Damien McCormick and Peter Corrigan added valuable scores, while Meath ace Jordan Morris was reliable from placed balls.

Meanwhile, Cuchulainns and Killygarry will have to do it all again for the chance to take on Kingscourt in the semis after playing out 1-21 to 1-21 draw on Friday night.

Killygarry looked on course for a place in the last four after Cian Keaney’s goal midway through the first-half helped them to hold a commanding 1-16 to 0-7 lead at half-time, but last year’s intermediate champions would dig deep in the second-half.

Mark Gilsenan's goal five minutes into the restart sparked their revival and ex-county men Evan Doughty and Bryan Magee hit scores which would eventually bring them level and earn a replay for next weekend.