Cavan and Tyrone set-up Ulster U20FC final showdown

April 09, 2022

Cavan's Cian Reilly rushes forward against Derry in the Ulster U20FC semi-final at the Athletic Grounds. Pic credit: Adrian Donohoe

Cavan will face Tyrone in the Ulster U20 football championship final on April 22nd after both came through their respective semi-finals last night.

The Breffni lads had to dig deep to grind out a 0-11 to 0-9 win against Derry at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, where Fionntan O'Reilly starred for the winners with 0-6 over the hour.

The sides had been level on 0-5 apiece at the halfway stage, with Charlie Diamond and midfielder Dan Higgins among the Derry scorers and two frees from Diamond had Paddy Bradley’s men in the driving-seat heading for the final quarter.

Cavan finished the stronger side though, hitting six of the last seven points, as Conor Casey and O'Reilly (2) struck over the last three and at the back they’d defend like demons to see out the victory which puts the Breffni County in its first provincial final in this grade since 2014.

In Celtic Park, Tyrone and Donegal served up a cracker that saw the Red Hands edging a 3-16 to 2-16 win after extra time.

Tyrone, who dumped out holders Down the previous Saturday, had been largely dominant during the opening half as Ruairi Canavan and Conor Cush helped them to lead 0-8 to 0-4 at the interval.

Canavan opened up a five-point lead early in the restart but two Bobby McGettigan goals at the other end meant it was a whole new ball game.

Gavin Potter came off the bench to net a Tyrone goal prior to Jonny McGroddy and substitute Carlos O’Reilly firing over late points that forced extra time in Derry.

McGroddy and Keelan Dunlevey hit the first two points of the added periods for Donegal but they were soon wiped away by a Niall Devlin goal and Cush would lash home the Red Hands’ third goal on 80 minutes to ensure progression to the final, which takes place on Friday week (8pm) with the venue yet to be confirmed.


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