Lavey 3-9 Cootehill 1-8 Lavey made history on Sunday at Kingspan Breffni Park by collecting the club's first ever intermediate football championship title at the expense of Cootehill. Competing well in the ACFL Division One over the past two seasons, some will have felt that the New Inns side's promotion to the senior ranks was overdue, after losing the final by a point to Ballinagh in 2007 and suffering defeat at the semi-final stages last season to Ballyhaise. However, Terry Hyland charges made no mistake on Sunday when Cootehill put them to the test, as goals from Kevin Brady (2) and Shane Tierney and a superb midfield display from Damian Smith proved vital. After a tight first-half, Lavey timed their first goal to perfection when a scramble in the Cootehill square saw Karl Duke set-up Shane Tierney, who had his fisted effort blocked before Kevin Brady blasted in the rebound just before the interval to give the men in black a 1-5 to 0-5 lead at half-time. Two minutes into the restart and the winners doubled their advantage when Oliver Smith released Shane Tierney and the corner-forward nipped by two Cootehill men and dispatched a wonderful finish to David Clegg's net. Brady and Neil Kelly exchanged frees after that, before David Tierney stretched Lavey's lead further, but they were dealt a blow when centre-forward Declan Murphy was sent off for a second caution. However, it failed to fade Lavey's resolve, as full-forward Darren Jordan kicked over two more points and Brady grabbed his second goal. Glen Nulty did net a late major for the Celts, but it was never going to be enough to deny his team's opponents here, as Lavey comfortably held on for a first (and long-awaited) intermediate success to confirm their status as a senior club. Lavey - Conor Martin; Fergal Smith, Darren Smith, Declan Conroy; David Tierney (0-2), Joey Jordan, Kevin Donohoe; Damian Smith, Stephen Jordan (0-1); Kevin Brady (2-2), Declan Murphy (0-1), Karl Duke; Shane Tierney (1-0), Darren Jordan (0-3), Oliver Smith. Subs: Martin Cusack, Sean Maguire, Kieran Galligan, Mark Brady. Cootehill - David Clegg; Sean Fitzpatrick, Barry McGahan, Ciaran Fox; Joshua Hayes, David McCarney, Brendan McRudden; Glen Nulty (1-0), Brian Sherlock (0-1); Mark Mullen, Paul McCarney, Cathal McCabe; John McCutcheon (0-1), Colm Smith (0-2), Neil Kelly (0-3). Subs: Christopher Sherlock, Dean Connolly (0-1), Eoin Roche, John Deery. Referee: Gerry Sheridan (Mullahoran) Tweet

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