Arva grind it out in replay

IFC semi-final

Arva 0-13

Cuchulainns 0-11

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Arva have returned to the Intermediate Championship final for the first time since 2016 after this hard-earned replay victory over Cuchulainns.

The margins in this game were wafer thin; both teams had strong shouts for penalties late on, with Johnny McCabe and Philip Smyth impeded at either end, but both were waved away. For Cuchulainns, it was another hard luck story as they came up short despite a bold effort over two matches while Arva’s unbeaten run now stretches to 20 championship matches.

Arva had a useful four-point lead at half-time but could never quite shake off Fintan Cahill’s charges, who were well in the game right to the final whistle. Arva eased into the lead with a free from Conal Sheridan, after a good turnover from McCabe, before Cuchulainns replied with a neat score from Turlough Farrelly.

A well-taken effort from the wing by Stephen Sheridan was followed by a terrific strike under pressure from Conal Sheridan but again, Cuchulainns’ response was strong, Bryan Magee nailing a pressure free.

Good work from Peter Morris found Thomas Partington, who swivelled and pointed off the laces but again Magee replied, this time from play after the recalled Conor Smith did well.

Magee, from a mark after a clever Micheál Kenny pass, registered his and Cuchulainns’ third point and the sides were level when Magee pointed off the left after Cuchulainns forced a turnover.

By now, the contest was in full swing and was being played at a good pace and a high standard, which later dipped in the second half. Ciaran Brady and Morris combined to release Tristan Noach Hofmann to thread over off the left but Cuchulainns responded with another score from Magee after Conor Smith won possession and played a quick mark.

After Cian O’Hara scuffed a free, it fell kindly to Conal Sheridan, who poached an opportunist point as Arva put together a smart run of scores. From the resulting kick-out, Brady found Barry Donnelly, who side-stepped a defender and blasted over with the goal possibly on and a typically accurate strike from Conal Sheridan made it 0-8 to 0-5 on 22 minutes.

At the other end, Evan Doughty cut inside on to his left and split the posts and the Cuchulainns captain quickly added a 46-metre free off the ground. But back came Arva with a super score from Donnelly and a second for Stephen Sheridan and when Hofmann powered through the centre to score again, it was 0-11 to 0-7 at the interval.

On the resumption, Magee and Conal Sheridan exchanged frees and Doughty iced a 45 to leave it a three-point game again. By now, Arva were becoming a little sloppy in possession as Cuchulainns upped their work-rate, although the Cross-Mullagh men were dealt a blow when Cian Doughty was black-carded.Magee won and converted a free to leave two between them entering the final quarter but, crucially, Arva drew next blood, Kevin Bouchier pointing a free after Éanna Ward was fouled.

Farrelly found Doughty with a nicely-weighted pass and the captain converted the resulting mark; Cuchulainns were on top by now but were guilty of squandering some decent chances and their cause wasn’t helped when Cian Doughty picked up a yellow to go with his black card, resulting in a red.Cuchulainns kept pressing and a last-ditch intervention from James Morris was vital for Arva.

In the dying moments, Cuchulainns had that big penalty shout – it did look like O’Hara fouled Smyth – but it wasn’t given and Arva held on to take the victory.

Arva: Cian O’Hara, Dylan Maguire, James Morris, Finbar McAvinue, Shane Hamilton, Stephen Sheridan (0-2), Danny Ellis, Ciaran Brady, Tristan Noack Hofmann (0-1), Thomas Partington (0-1), Barry Donnelly (0-2), Jonathan McCabe, Peter Morris, Kevin Bouchier (0-1f), Conal Sheridan (0-5, 2f)

Subs: Éanna Ward for S Hamilton (40), Fergal McGlade for P Morris (59)

Cuchulainns: Conor Gallagher, Christopher Tully, Cian Donoghue, Ruairi O’Connell, Niall Carolan, Cian Doughty, Micheál Kenny, Eoghan Donoghue, Turlough Farrelly (0-1), Adam O’Reilly, Evan Doughty (0-4, 2f, 45), Niall Magee, Conor Smith, Bryan Magee (0-7, 4f, 1m), Philip Smyth

Subs: Cormac O’Reilly for C Smith (40), Glenn McCann for N Magee, Conor O’Reilly for M Kenny (both 50), Adrian Taite for E Donoghue (57)

Ref: Oliver Óg O’Reilly