Peter Canavan gave early and late flash warnings to the Castleblaney defence of his menace value when going centre-stage to help disillusion early competition shockers Castleblaney Faughs in a dire semi-final at Clones yesterday.
Canavan put the humiliation of having been sent off in the International Rules at Croke Park a week earlier by being voted man of the match.
He tortured the Castleblayney defence by shaving a far post with a pile-driver on the run in the first quarter after having put his side three points clear with a well-taken free.
Moments later, the Tyrone wizard set up wing back Eamonn Kavanagh for a goal chance which Kavanagh took in style. But it was the quality of Canavan's deft pass that created the score.
Later still, Canavan twice gave Errigal insurance points in the closing quarter when Castleblaney pressed promisingly to get a better result.
But the losers fell short of their target and were never in the same scoring form that saw them crush Crossmaglen so stunningly in the quarter-finals.
The sodden conditions and persistent rain sabotaged the match as a spectacle for the 8,000 crowd. Instead, passes went astray and even Canavan proved vulnerable with an attempted fisted-point from close range going astray.
Errigal, who will be contesting their third final against Bellaghy in a fortnight's time, dominated with wind advantage in the first half.
Half backs Pascal Canavan, Eamonn Kavanagh and midfielders Hugh Quinn and Peter Loughran enabled them to keep a steady flow of ball going towards the Castleblaney posts.
But they didn't realise what they bargained for on the board and Castleblaney, although having struggled to get their first score - a point after 10 minutes from Declan Loughman - were able to stay in touch thanks to the sort of spirited work produced in midfield by Jason Hughes and Paul O'Connor and attack leader Peter Duffy.
Two injury-time points before the break, by Peter Duffy and top scorer Kieran Tavey, left the losers in with a real shout, trailing by a goal and with wind advantage to follow.
Eoin Gormley resumed Errigal's scoring within a minute of the restart with a well-taken point, but the seriousness of the Castleblayney challenge came home to roost when Kieran Tavey rammed to the net to leave but a point between the sides five minutes into the second half.
Castleblayney subsequently shot some deplorable wides and a final quarter goal from Errigal substitute Adrian O'Donnell, even though it was created from a bizarre move of errors, gave Errigal much needed breathing space and relief.
Yellow cards had to be brandished by Donegal referee Mick McGrath with the tackling very much on the late side in the second half, not to mention the number of outbreaks of fisticuffs.
ERRIGAL CHIARAIN: C McAnenly; E McGinley, C McGinley, C McCann; P Horisk, Pascal Canavan, E Kavanagh (1-1); H Quinn, P Loughran; M O'Rourke, E McCaffrey (0-1), E Gormley (0-3); M Harte, E McGinley (0-1), Peter Canavan (0-3). Subs: D O'Hanlon for E McGinley (28 mins). A O'Donnell (1-1) for M O'Rourke (half-time).
CASTLEBLANEY FAUGHS: D Flanagan; E Brennan, S McGeough, C Donnelly; D McArdle, E Murphy, D Duffy (0-1); J Hughes, P O'Connor; R McArdle, P Duffy, A Tavey; P McDonald (0-2 frees), D Loughman (0-1), K Tavey (1-5 three frees). Subs: D Sullivan for A Tavey (47 mins); M Hanratty for C Donnelly (49).
Referee: M McGrath (Donegal).
