Ballyhaise end 47year famine in style

Ballyhaise 2-13
Arva 1-14

Paul Fitzpatrick
at Kingspan Breffni Park

Ballyhaise ended a 47-year famine in style as they saw off Arva to claim the Intermediate Football Championship after a thrilling final at Kingspan Breffni Park.

A fantastic goal from Kevin Tierney – conjured out of nothing and finished to the roof of the net – and points from Padraig Moore and Man of the Match Stephen Smith helped John Brady's side into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead nine minutes in.

 

 

And two superb Tierney points and a beauty from youngster Martin Conaty extended that lead to 1-6 to 0-3 before Arva rallied, with Jonny McCabe to the fore.

Another goal from Smith gave Ballyhaise – who last won this title in 1968 with a three-point win against Crosserlough – some breathing space but Arva hit the net early in the second half through McCabe.

The final 10 minutes were tense and frenetic but points from Moore and Smith were enough as Ballyhaise held on against a strong-finishing Arva to win by two points.

“I can't describe what it means to everyone in the club and in the community. We are great friends with Arva and we knew they would never give up but it just means so much, we will now be playing senior football as well as Division 1 league football,” stated an emotional chairperson Susan Brady after the final whistle.

There were jubiliant scenes afterwards as the club was presented to Ballyhaise captain Eamon Costello by Cavan county board chairman Gerry Brady.

 

Ballyhaise: Eamonn Brady; Francis McConnell, Mark Brennan, Fiachra McGoldrick; Marcus Duffy, Eamonn Costello, Francis Moore; Conor Lyons, Sean McCormack; David Brady, Stephen Smith (1-6, 4f), Martin Conaty (0-2); Colm Reilly, Kevin Tierney (1-2), Padraig Moore (0-3). Subs: Shane McKiernan for C Reilly (43mins), Shane Briody for M Duffy (52, BC), Barry McRudden for D Brady (58).

Arva: Shane NcEntee; Thomas Brady, James Morris, Cormac McCabe; Paul Bouchier, Ciaran Brady (0-2), Dermot McGlade; Cian Sheridan, Fergal McGlade; Peter Conneely, Kevin Bouchier (0-2), Peter Morris (0-2); Jonathan McCabe (1-3), Conal Sheridan (0-6, 5f), Ciaran Cooney. Subs: Danny Ellis for P Cooney (16mins), Shane Hamilton for K Bouchier (36, inj), K Bouchier for P Conneely (44), Conor McEntee for C Sheridan (52), Stephen Ellis for T Brady (60).

Ref: Conor Dourneen (Ballinagh)

See Wednesday's paper for full report and reaction.