Ulster SF Semi-finals/Bellaghy 0-11 Cavan Gaels 0-9: There's a growing sense of destiny about Bellaghy's run in this year's Ulster championship. Having disposed of title-holders Crossmaglen they're oozing the confidence and determination to go all the way - both of which proved decisive in yesterday's semi-final victory over Cavan Gaels.
Five years ago, when they last claimed Ulster's club honour, Crossmaglen had been taken out of the way for them.
So now they go into next Sunday's final against surprise contenders St Gall's of Antrim knowing it's probably their title to lose. They'll start as heavy favourites and, if they keep playing the way are, then they'll more than likely win.
There's no denying either that Bellaghy are a highly capable club side. Their defence had already held up against the best that Crossmaglen had to offer.
But they've got a range of scoring options as well, not least of all in full forward Joe Cassidy, who hit 0-5 yesterday - two from placed balls. Captain Gavin Diamond remained scoreless in one corner, while Declan Graffin hit 0-3 in the other.
Joe Diver gradually increased his grip on midfield, while the pace and physical strength of wing backs Paul Diamond and Kevin Doherty was a constant source of stimulation.
The Gaels, however, deserve their share of the plaudits for creating a hard-fought and exciting contest. No Cavan club has ever won the Ulster title, and they played like a team desperate to get close. They were just a point down on the hour, but had never managed to get in front.
Seán Johnston appeared their most obvious scoring threat, but he faded out somewhat towards the end. Some of the more stirring points later on came from wing back Pauric Smith and Alan O'Riordan, the latter one of two pre-match changes.
Anthony Forde appeared well in spurts, but, worse than Bellaghy's wides, a lot of their attacks saw the ball landing short. The absence of the injured Michael Lyng probably cost them in that department, but ultimately their scoring ability wasn't good enough.
The Gaels had one early goal chance when Cormac Neligan sent a spinning shot across and wide of the goal, and that would certainly have changed the early face of the game.
While the Gaels seemed nervous, Bellaghy were intent on establishing dominance from the start - which they did. Cassidy's opening point and then two from Graffin gave them an early cushion, before Johnston's free on 15 minutes finally settled Cavan nerves.
They pushed on from there too when Eamonn Reilly made a soaring run from corner back to add their second, quickly followed by Neligan's opener. Level at 0-3 apiece, it seemed the game was wide open.
Bellaghy's physical edge then started to show, with Glackin stealing back the advantage before two points from Cassidy restored their lead to three.
The Gaels were in chasing mode from there until half-time, with Forde and Johnston tagging on two more scores before the break - leaving it 0-6 to 0-5 in Bellaghy's favour.
The best goal chance of the second half after that fell to Bellaghy when Graffin was clear through into the Gaels' goalmouth, but his shot torpedoed over the bar rather than under it. That left Bellaghy 0-10 to 0-7 in front with just over 10 minutes left to play, yet even then the Gaels needed something special to win.
Smith popped up from wing back to give them the chasing point they so craved, and so the game hung suspended for a while more. Neligan then brought the Cavan champions to within one with a fine point, but that was as good as it got.
They wouldn't score for the remaining five minutes, and in fact didn't come close.
Bellaghy, in contrast, closed out their game in style when Cassidy set up Paul Diamond for the security point.
BELLAGHY: B Scullion; M McColdrick, M McShane, D O'Neill; P Diamond (0-1), C McNally, K Doherty; F Doherty, J Diver; F Glackin (0-1), G Doherty, L McPeake (0-1); D Graffin (0-3), J Cassidy (0-5, two frees), G Diamond. Subs: C Scullion for G Doherty (45 mins), E Brown for Glackin (55 mins).
CAVAN GAELS: E Elliott; E Reilly (0-1), C Collins, S McGlade; K Crotty, G Duffy, P Smith (0-1); E King, N Walsh; D O'Connor, A Forde (0-1), A O'Riordan (0-1); M Graham, C Neligan (0-2), S Johnston (0-3, two frees). Subs: N Collins for O'Connor (15 mins), D Reilly for Collins (48 mins), G Collins for O'Riordan (50 mins).
Referee: M Hughes (Tyrone).
