Coleman confirms plan to leave as Gowna exit

Eamonn Coleman's knowledge of Derry club football was to no avail as he tried to steer Cavan champions Gowna to success in an untidy semi-final at Clones yesterday.

In fact, the Derry supremo who guided his county to All-Ireland final success in 1993, confirmed afterwards that he was quitting the Gowna job.

And Coleman did not try to hide his disgust with the decision of Armagh referee Brendan Gorman not to award a penalty for a foul on Mark McKeever in the closing stages, at a time when Bellaghy were ahead by just three points.

Had Gorman awarded a penalty at this juncture - and it looked like he thought about it - it would have been the third spot-kick award in a comedy of errors.

The first 10 minutes saw two penalty awards, one for each side for the same offence, a foot block. Bellaghy's Gavin Diamond sent the first attempt from the spot to the left and wide of Paddy Brady's left goal post. Bernard Morris shot Gowna's penalty straight at Bellaghy goalkeeper Ciaran Donnelly. It was a fitting beginning to a funny sort of game.

To add to Gowna's woes, Cathaldus Hartin was red-carded in the last minute for a tackle on Paul Diamond.

Gowna, winners over Donegal champions Ardara in the quarter-finals, were on the back-foot for most of the game. Bellaghy's possession-rate was as high as 7030, but the Derry side could not put their opponents away and a dreary match trundled on with Bellaghy just about staying in front.

Cathal Diamond and Ciaran McNally were more than stoppers in the Bellaghy defence and behind them David O'Neill was repeatedly earning his ultimate reward as man of the match.

Fergal Doherty and John Mulholland were given all the confidence in the world and they responded by providing staunch midfield performances. Gavin Diamond proved deadly with the placed ball and accounted for five of the Bellaghy points.

Gowna, with first use of the wind advantage could not feed target man Dermot McCabe consistently enough. Their midfield of Patrick Brady and Bernard Morris tried in vain to counter the work of Doherty and Mulholland and it was no surprise when McCabe was brought out to start the second half in the midfield.

The best McCabe could manage was a point from play to add to his three from frees.

The options for the smoother moving Bellaghy side increased notably with the wind advantage in the second half. Still, the Derry men had to wait for an insurance point from sharp shooter Gavin Diamond in the closing minutes.

BELAGHY: C Donnelly; P Downey, D O'Neill, P Diamond; K Doherty, C McNally (0-1), C Diamond; F Doherty, J Mulholland; G Doherty, K Diamond 0-1, G Diamond (0-5 four frees); L McPeake (0-2), C Scullion, F Glackin. Subs: J Cassidy for Glackin (48 mins); Paul Diamond for Peter Diamond (45).

GOWNA: P Brady; G Reilly, F Hartin, C Hartin; C Madden, C Brady, G Hartin; P Brady, B Morris; D Brady, M McKeever, L Brady; G Pierson (0-2, one free), D McCabe (0-4, three frees), S Pierson. Subs: B Sorahan for C Brady (23 mins); G Donoghue for C Hartin (38); J Brady for L Brady (54); D Madden for S Pierson (56).

Referee: B Gorman (Armagh).