Redhills 0-14 Ballyhaise 1-8 A talented Redhills side ensured the jump from junior to senior within three years last Sunday after seeing off neighbours Ballyhaise by three points in the Cavan Intermediate Football Championship final at Kingspan Breffni Park. Both Paddy Gumley and county minor star Packie Leddy were potent for the winners up front as they kicked four points each to lead Redhills to a first county IFC title since 1973. Both sides had missed their fair share of goal chances over the hour, but it was Ballyhaise who netted themselves into an early advantage after Eamon Costello had been fed through on goal by Ali Pickett and the centre-forward made no mistake in finding the corner past Fintan Reilly to raise the game's only green flag, helping his side to a 1-1 to 0-0 lead, with the creator providing the earlier point after three minutes of play. Redhills began to assert themselves in the game thereafter as Packie Leddy, Pearse West and Rory Dunne all knocked over points before Raymond Cullivan curled over a free with his left foot to put Ballyhaise's advantage back to two points. Colm Reilly struck the leaders' second goal chance straight at Fintan Reilly and that paved the way for Redhills to take a real grip of the game before the break. Packie Leddy continued his outstanding contribution with a brace of points before Gumley, Alan Brady and Pearse West edged their side deservedly in front by three points at the half-time break. Ballyhaise came out for the second period with that bit more intent and hit scores through Stephen Smith, Cullivan, Pickett and the unusually quite Kevin Tierney, with the points of Colin Reilly and Packie Leddy early in the restart ensuring Redhills held on to a one-point lead heading into the final quarter. Gumley added his second point to stretch the lead to two but when Eamon Costello crept in eight minutes from time it looked as though the game was to take a miraculous turn, but the ball bopped-up off the surface awkwardly as his volley sailed wide and saw another goal chance go a begging for the Division One side. The same player made up for the miss somewhat, finishing off a fantastic team score moments later to bring the deficit down to the minimum. However, nothing was to deny Redhills on this day as Gumley earned his 'Man of the Match' tag with two more sublime points that were backed up by Pearse West's white flag, which ensured the title would be coming back with the men from the border. Redhills - Fintan Reilly; Mark Smith, James Smith, Ciaran Smith; Fergal McDermott, Alan Brady (0-1), Adrian Fitzpatrick; Rory Dunne (0-1), Brendan Leddy; Packie Leddy (0-4), Colin Reilly (0-1), Pearse West (0-3); Joe Callan, Paddy Gumley (0-4), Kieran West. Subs: Conor McMahon for Ciaran Smith, Brian Reilly for Colin Reilly, Alan Dunne for Packie Leddy, Cormac Brides for Brendan Leddy. Ballyhaise - Brendan Maguire; Mark Brennan, Sean McCormack, Brendan Lyons; Barry Kelly, Michael Rooney, Colm Reilly; Barry McRudden, Ray Cullivan (0-2); Ciaran McGowan, Eamonn Costello (1-1), Stephen Smith (0-1); Kevin Tierney (0-1), Ali Pickett (0-2), Conor Lyons. Subs: Sean Fay for Conor Lyons. Referee: Brian Crowe (Cavan Gaels) Tweet

Most Read Stories