Ruairi Canavan was sensational on Sunday, dragging Errigal Ciaran over the line and into their first Ulster final since 2002.
The 21-year-old hit Errigal Ciaran's last two points, inspiring them past Clann Éireann as he showed his class and leadership.
The game looked destined for extra-time when Conor Turbitt levelled it up with an injury-time free from a tight angle but, playing against fourteen men, Errigal Ciaran worked the opportunity well before finding the right man at the right time.
Just moments earlier he'd lit Páirc Esler up with a beautiful dummy before finishing off the right. This time, he took it on the run and off the left showing that there's very little he can not do.
#GAABEO 63 nóim @ErrigalCiaran1 0-14 (14)@eireann1910 1-10 (13)
Rory Canavan arís le Cúilín álainn🔥🔥
Canavan's clutch kick #GAA #Football
BEO/LIVE ar @TG4TV pic.twitter.com/jbVQktOqVc
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 24, 2024
Errigal Ciaran saw it out from there, holding on for a 0-14 to 1-10 victory, booking a final date with Kilcoo in a fortnight's time.
The sides were level at half-time before points from Turbitt (free), Daniel McGee and Ruairi McDonald gave the Armagh men a three point lead. Their momentum was halted in the 40th minute when county man Tiernan Kelly was shown a second yellow for a tackle, reducing them to fourteen men.
They battled hard but Errigal Ciaran drove onto victory, with the youngest Canavan brother the hero. He kicked 0-9 in total, including five from play with Darragh also having a big impact on the game, kicking two of his own from play.
After the game, the man-of-the-match Canavan
Scór Lán-Ama@ErrigalCiaran1 0-14 (14)@eireann1910 1-10 (13)
‘We got the scores at the right time'
Comhghairdeas le Rory Canavan , Laoch na hImeartha inniu👏
#GAABEO #GAA pic.twitter.com/m7punbxrlS— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) November 24, 2024
"I don't know if I'd say it was a fantastic performance now. We definitely made hard work of it. Our first half performance was nowhere near good enough and we got rightly told off at half-time.
"Second half, it wasn't anything special either. We just kept plugging away but eventually things went right for us. We had to work for it."
Canavan was asked to reflect on his own performance by TG4's Cuan Ó Flatharta but with typical modesty, he batted that one away.
"Ask Enda (McGinley - Errigal Ciaran manager) about the first half, and youse will know all about it!"
