Ulster U-21 Club Championship quarter-final
Mayobridge 2-11 Assan Gaels, Cavan 1-7

By James Gallagher

TWO goals in the last five minutes from Ryan Brady helped Mayobridge overcome the challenge of Cavan side Assan Gaels at Kickham’s Creggan on Sunday and progress to the semi-final stage of the Ulster U-21 Club Championship.

The game was played in very wet and windy conditions which made life difficult for both sides. Despite playing against the wind in the first half the Bridge dominated and led by two points at the interval, 0-6 to 0-4.

The Cavan side, an amalgamation of three teams, Killinkere, Lavey and Cuchulainns opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Shane Tierney sent over. However, the Sky Blues, helped by the midfield dominance of Jamie Barr and Keith Quinn, retaliated with four points from Conal Poland (0-2), Conleth O’Hare and Caolan Gallagher.

Christopher Conroy took advantage of slack defensive work to narrow the gap before a Conleth O’Hare free restored his side’s three point advantage. The Bridge could have been further ahead at this stage but missed some very scoreable chances, both from play and placed balls.

The Gaels reduced the deficit to two points in the 20th minute when half back Senan Gilchreest burst upfield and scored a fine point and then just before the interval Caolan Gallagher and Darren Monaghan swopped scores to leave two points between the teams as they headed into the changing rooms.

Conleth O’Hare got the Sky Blues off to a flying start in the second half when he scored directly from the throw-in and with the wind at their backs it seemed that the Bridge would win out easily. However, three bad wides followed and they were to pay for their wastefulness when Emmet Fitzsimons sent over in the 36th minute and then Oliver Smith jinked past three defenders to crash an unstoppable shot off the underside of the bar for a 1-5 to 0-7 lead for the Cavan men.

The Bridge response was immediate as Caolan Gallagher levelled matters in the 38th minute and then Conleth O’Hare nudged them ahead in the 39th minute with a well taken score. Despite playing with the strong wind, the Sky Blues indulged in a lot of meaningless hand passing which inevitably ended with the ball being turned over.

Eventually, more direct football saw Michael Annett fire over in the 15th minute followed three minutes later by a converted free from Conleth O’Hare. However, the Breffni team were proving to be a very dogged outfit and reduced the margin to two points when Emmett Fitzsimons was on target but then failed to convert two close-in frees which would have levelled matters.

With five minutes left, the Gaels keeper failed to deal with a long ball from Kevin McClorey and Ryan Brady took full advantage to crash it home. Buoyed by this score the Bridge swarmed forward again and were awarded a penalty but it was sent the wrong side of the post by Caolan Gallagher. The same player made amends two minutes later when he played a neat ball over the defence to the unmarked Ryan Brady who easily beat the keeper.

The Cavan challenge was finally overcome although they did have the last say when Emmett Fitzsimons pointed from a free which proved to be the last kick of the game.

The Bridge were full value for the win but when they analyse their performance they will realise that they made a lot of basic errors which could be punished by a more ruthless side in the later stages of this competition.

Mayobridge: Shealan Strain, Conor Gribben, Shane McNamee, Caolan Lynchehaun, Michael Annett 0-1, Kevin McClorey, David Lynchehaun, Keith Quinn, Jamie Barr, Cathal Killen, Caolan Gallagher 0-3, Conleth O’Hare 0-5, Ryan Brady 2-0, Conal Poland 0-2, Padraig Gribben. Subs used: Ronan Mynes, Cormac Linden, Ronan Lively.

Assan Gaels scorers: Oliver Smith 1-0, Emmett Fitzsimons 0-3, Christoper Conroy 0-1, Darren Monaghan 0-1, Shane Tierney 0-1, Senan Gilchreest 0-1.

Referee: Martin Sludden (Tyrone).