GAA - Classy 'Vale win in Ulster

Ulster Junior Football Championship Quarter Final Brackaville 1-9 Faughanvale 1-10 FAUGHANVALE bridged an eight year gap since the last Derry victory in the Ulster junior football championship with a gritty victory over Tyrone champions Brackaville. Since the inception of this competition in 2001 it has been won five times by Tyrone teams and as yet none by the Derry champions. Lissan came closest back in 2008 when they reached the final only to lose to Monaghan champions Drumhowan. In summer like conditions at Healy Park Omagh the Faughanvale men looked sluggish and laboured in their play at times. Indeed they were more than a bit fortunate to be level at the interval. They were a totally different proposition in the second period. They stepped up the pace and dominated possession in the middle third and had they been a bit more clinical in front of goals they would have had more to spare at the end. As it was they had a few anxious moments towards the end of the game when Brackaville launched a flurry of late attacks and only to blow three reasonable chances of the equaliser. They had to start without big full forward Conor O’Hara who was out with injury. He was replaced by the experienced Ryan King who had missed much of the season to date with injury. While the first half was a tame enough affair with the Tyrone men enjoying more of the possession the second half was real championship fare. Both teams put their bodies on the line but this time it was Faughanvale who were the superior team. Despite surviving several shuddering tackles Joe Gray ran the show as he picked up an enormous amount of breaking ball around the middle of the field. In the first half the impressive Martin Gervin and the tall Rian McHugh had bossed midfield. In the second the big Faughanvale duo of Michael McLaughlin and Ryan King broke the ball and inevitably it was Joe Gray who was there to snap it up and set attacks in motion. Kevin Martin - superb While the Faughanvale attack could have made better use of their chances it was young Kevin Martin who excelled with four points from play and two frees. He was a constant threat to the Brackaville defence. His strike partner eighteen year old Eunan Murray will forever wonder how he missed a clear cut goal chance when put through by the clever Martin McGuinness in the 43rd minute. Faughanvale keeper Daryl Moore made several tidy saves while in front of him Michael Sweeney was outstanding at full back holding Brackaville danger man Che O’Donnell scoreless from open play. Gordon Fahey at corner back and captain Stephen King at centre half defended solidly. Having watched Faughanvale in the Derry final the Tyrone champions stopped the driving runs of Odhran McKinney who was black carded after 24 minutes.. His replacement Sean Bradley justified his call up. Eoin McElhinney and Jordan Curran can be pleased with their contribution. Ryan King replaced the injured Conor O’Hara staring at full forward and then moving to midfield. Odhran McKinney wearing his customary number 18 jersey replaced midfielder Oisin Quinn. Joe Gray put the ‘Vale in front from a long range free in the first minute after Micael McLaughlin was impeded. Brackaville looking the more energetic team drew level after Joe Rafferty had picked up a rebounded shot from Sean McNally which came off a post. Joe Gray had a ’45 cleared but after six minutes Brackaville went in front when Cairan Gervin polished off a sweeping move with a point. Gray had another fruitless ’45 and from a similar award Cairan Gervin sent his effort against a post. Brackaville were dominating around the middle of the field and they quickly stretched their lead with a Che O’Donnell free and a superb long range score from defender Dean McGuinness. After fifteen scoreless minutes Eunan Murray reduced the Brackaville lead to two but a brilliant score from Joe Rafferty kept the Tyrone champions three in front. Joe Gray then converted his own free. The Faughanvale keeper Daryl Moore made a fine save under pressure but foolishly swung at an opposing forward and lost his free out. The hop ball came to nothing. The Faughanvale defence for once was caught napping in the 23rd minute when Cairan Gervin waltzed through for a fine individual point to put his team 0-6 to 0-3 in front. A well struck Kevin Martin kept Faughanvale in touch. Oisin Quinn then replaced Odhran McKinney who received a black card. Faughanvale were improving towards the end of the half but it was still a surprise when they went in front. Man of the match Joe Gray sent a low shot towards the opposing goal in the 28th minute and the ball came off corner back Ronan Fox and into the net for a 1-4 to 0-6 lead. As injury time beckoned big Michael McLaughlin hit a quite awful wide and the teams went in level Faughanvale 1-4 Brackaville 0-7. Martin Gerwin edged the Tyrone side in front with a first minute free but Faughanvale drew level with a great score from young Kevin Martin. The Derry champions were now looking a more purposeful team and they went in front when captain Stephen King took advantage of a poor kick out by keeper Stephen O’Neill to go 1-6 to 0-8 in front. They got a rude shock in the 34th minute when corner forward Paddy Gervin sent in a low shot and the ball came off a Faughanvale defender and into the net. It was an almost exact replica of Joe Gray’s first half goal. Brackaville stretch lead The Brackaville lead was stretched further when captain Sean McNally cut through and set up Joe Rafferty for a 1-9 to 1-6 lead with 23 minutes left to play. Remarkably it was to be the Tyrone men’s last score as Faughanvale generally dominated the rest of the game. In the 38th minute Kevin Martin reduced the leeway to two points and with Joe Gray bossing matters in the middle third the victory signs were beckoning for Faughanvale. It was Kevin Marin again from a Martin McGuinness pass who left one between them nineteen minutes from the end. Then came the big let off followed by an even bigger one. In the 43rd minute Joe Rafferty missed the proverbial sitter and the relieved Faughanvale countered with Martin McGuinness placing teenager Eunan Murray for what looked a nailed on goal chance he blazed high and wide. A Kevin Martin free at the three quarter stage levelled the game at 1-9 each. In a counter attack Daryl Moore saved smartly from Sean McNally. In the 48th minute Kevin Martin under pressure put Faughanvale in front. Brackaville were still dangerous on the break as Faughanvale failed to nail down victory due to wastefulness in front of goal. An off the ball foul on Joe Gray went unpunished and perhaps shaken by the ‘tackle’, Joe had a free cleared that he normally would have put over. Eunan Murray and Martin McGuinness missed chances and as the call of time approached Brackaville now with a host of fresh legs in action pressed for the equaliser. Paul O’Neill sent wide as did Ryan King as both teams were now feeling the pace and intensity of the game. Cairan Gervin with options left and right went for glory but missed the opportunity to send the game to extra time. Ryan King picked up a black card in added time and in the last action of an entertaining game Michael McLaughlin did well to cut out a Che O’Donnell free and Faughanvale were into the Ulster semi final where they will play Templeport of Cavan on 15th November. Faughanvale scorers: Kevin Martin 0-6 (0-2f), Joe Gray 1-2 (0-2f), Stephen King and Eunan Murray 0-1 each. Brackaville scorers: Joe Rafferty 0-3, Paddy Gervin 1-0. Cairan Gervin 0-2, Che O’Donnell 0-2f, Martin Gervin 0-1f and Dara McGuinness 0-1. Faughanvale: Daryl Moore, Declan McGuinness, Michael Sweeney, Gordon Fahey, Jordan Curran, Stephen King, Aaron Cassidy, Odhran McKinney, Michael McLaughlin, Eoin McElhinney, Joe Gray, Martin McGuinness, Kevin Martin, Ryan King, Eunan Murray. Subs used Sean Bradley and Oisin Quinn. Brackaville. Stephen O’Neill, Ronan fox, Stefan Gervin, Peter O’Hagan, Dara McGuinness, Cairan Gervin, Paul O’Neill, Martin Gervin, Rian McHugh, Joe Rafferty, Sean Mcnally, Sean Day, Paddy Gervin, Che O’Donnell, Sean Corr. Subs used Paul Rouse, Gary Ferguson, Sean Anderson and Cairan Currie. Referee: Brendan Rice (Down).