Cootehill 3-11
Ballyhaise 0-8

by Shane Corrigan
at Kingspan Breffni Park

Enda Hessin struck for 1-7 as Cootehill dismantled Ballyhaise with a terrific fourth quarter display to clinch the club's first intermediate championship crown in 43 years tonight.

Ciaran O'Malley's men were hands down the better side in this decider as it was a game they never once trailed in and Hessin's scoring form gave them a huge edge over Ballyhaise, whom simply checked out once their chief tormentor slotted home a 44th minute penalty.

Many had fancied Phelim Plunkett's team for this showdown at Kingspan Breffni Park, having been pushing for senior status for so long now, but they were left playing catch up after Tom Hayes hit their net a minute shy of the second quarter and couldn't find the goal they so badly desired to drag themselves back into the game.

Cootehill, on the other hand, had no issues with raising the green flag, saving their best performance in this competition for last to ensure the Tommy Gilroy Cup would be making its way out towards the Monaghan border.

The winners' account was opened within just 15 seconds of the throw-in as the superb John McCutcheon latched on to the first piece of possession and sent Hessin through for the centre-forward to pop over and punch the air in sheer delight.

Hessin doubled the lead with a free earned by Eoin Roche in front of the posts before Ballyhaise got up and running in the 11th minute when Francis Moore belied his defensive duties and sailed over off his left boot.

Kevin Tierney's first score arrived two minutes later, after Padraig Moore was pulled down in his full-forward station, bringing the sides all square, but when McCutcheon's high ball into the square was misjudged by Mark Brennan it was a recipe for disaster so far as Ballyhaise were concerned and it was Hayes that punished them with a cool finish to the corner of the net.

Martin Conaty and Hessin swapped frees to keep the difference at three before Tierney got his first real opportunity from open play and took it after shaking off the staunch attentions of Joshua Hayes and swinging over off his left.

Cootehill responded again through Hessin (free) but could well have come close to their opponents' jugular when Tom Hayes had the ball in the net again in the 22nd minute.

The Cavan U21 ace saw his major ruled out and pulled back for a penalty instead, as referee Pat Clarke blew the whistle just before he pulled the trigger, and the resultant spot kick was smacked off the crossbar by Hessin.

A Tierney free closed the half at 1-4 to 0-5, but Ballyhaise could count themselves lucky not to be much worse off having turned the ball over in transition on countless occasions and watched their counterparts waste a potential 1-5.

Tom Hayes didn't waste time in resetting the tone for the Celts in the second-half, launching over a point in the opening seconds, but Ballyhaise looked to be right back in contention with a Tierney free and a tap over from Conor Lyons which left the difference at one.

Plunkett's charges had chances to draw level but couldn't take them and it allowed Cootehill to take charge for the final quarter and it was Hessin's penalty a minute beforehand which propelled them towards victory.

The All-Ireland JFC winner made no mistake from the spot this time after McCutcheon was dragged down in the square and with Caoimhin Carney sending over a quick brace of points the Hoops' lead was at seven with just over 10 minutes to go.

A straight red card for Barry McRudden soon after spelled more misery for the trailers and their coffin was well and truly nailed when substitute Dermie Connolly backed up further points from Hessin and Stevie O'Connor with a brilliantly taken goal three minute from time.

Hessin rounded off a 'Man of the Match' performance with the final point for the town side, sealing Cootehill's first intermediate crown since 1971 in some style.

Cootehill: Ryan Carroll; John Carney (0-1), Barry McGahan, Eoin Roche; Sean O'Connor, Joshua Hayes, Dean Connolly; Brian Sherlock, John McCutcheon; Neil McCluskey, Enda Hessin (1-7, 3f, 1 pen), Caoimhin Carney (0-2); Ryan Reilly, Tom Hayes (1-1), Stevie O'Connor. Subs: Dermie Connolly (1-0) for R Reilly (36mins, b/c), Glen Nulty for B Sherlock (56), Mark Mullen for C Carney (57), Ciaran Fox for J Carney (59), Cathal McCabe for D Connolly (59), Gerard Argue for E Roche (59).

Ballyhaise: Rory Donnellan; Francis Moore (0-1), Mark Brennan, Fiachra McGoldrick; Barry Kelly, Sean McCormack, Shane Briody; Conor Lyons (0-1), Barry McRudden; Kevin Tierney (0-5, 3f, 1 '45), Colm Reilly, Barry Reilly; Martin Conaty (0-1, 1f), Padraig Moore, Shane McKiernan. Subs: Marcus Duffy for B Reilly (HT), Ciaran McGowan for C Reilly (43), Adam Boyle for B Kelly (53).

Ref: Pat Clarke (Killinkere)

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