Shercock 2-12
Denn 1-12

A goal in each half proved the difference for Shercock this evening as they sprung an upset over Denn in the third round of the intermediate championship.

Francis McPhillips's team were full value for their victory at Kingspan Breffni, where they led from the fifth minute onwards and paved their path with a 13th minute goal from Cavan forward Niall Clerkin before repeating the trick as many minutes into the second-half.

Denn left it too late to fire in their only goal of the match - a 64th minute penalty from Colin Kiernan - as their opponents took both points from them, leaving the Crosskeys outfit in need of a win in their round four game against competition favourites Ballyhaise next weekend in order to have any hope of progressing to the quarter-finals.

Shercock, who now face Laragh United in the next round, settled into this contest well with points from Niall Clerkin and Philip Clerkin inside the opening seven minutes before good work from Tomas Corr gave Thomas Edward Donohoe the time and space to shoot over the first for the maroon contingent.

A superbly struck 40-metre free off the floor from Killian Clarke had the Monaghan border men back in front by two and on 15 minutes they'd take full profit from their next tour on goal, with Niall Clerkin palming the ball home beyond Denn 'keeper Mark Fegan for the umpire's green flag.

A Colin Kiernan free, a second single from Donohoe and a well-struck placed ball from Noel Crowe was a healthy response from Raymond Smith's side.

Corr found himself unmarked to make the margin two points into the added minutes of the half, as Clarke tailed an ambitious free wide at the other end, leaving it at 1-4 to 0-5 at the half.

Denn made a more purposeful start to the second-half and had matters level by the 42nd minute, with points from veteran Kiernan and Donohoe cancelling out Declan McIntyre (free) and Ryan Clerkin prior to Donohoe (2 frees) and Dean Hyland making it 0-10 to 1-7.

Shercock responded in brilliant fashion however, with substitute Lee Clarke following up the rebound of Declan McIntyre's goal effort and bundling the ball past Fegan at the second attempt for all three points.

It was a salient contribution from Clarke, who would be withdrawn soon after having done his bit, as McPhillips's charges kept their noses firmly in front with points from Ryan Clerkin and Damien McIntyre, erasing one at the other end from former county senior Martin Cahill.

Smith emptied his bench in throwing on Fergal Farrelly, Brandon Keogan and Alan Tierney in the closing 10 minutes to try and salvage something for the Crosskeys side, but Shercock stayed strong at the back with Brian Sankey manning his centre-back station well.

Niall Clerkin earned a free for Declan McIntyre to slot over prior to Killian Clarke adding another point with a touch of class in injury-time, ushering the town side six in front.

The dying stages saw Kiernan drill home a penalty well won by sub Farrelly, but it was too little, too late for Denn as they were condemned to their second defeat in three outings.

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