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Canavan stars as Errigal beat 14-man Clann Eireann

Ruairi Canavan's sensational tally of 0-9 helped Errigal Ciaran edge out 14-man Clann Eireann 0-14 to 1-10 in a tense Ulster Club Football semi-final at Pairc Esler.

The sides were level at half-time at 1-5 to 0-8 with two Canavan points getting the Tyrone champions on terms after Conor Turbitt's penalty just before the break.

Clann Eireann looked to have taken control as they moved three ahead after 38 minutes.

But Tiernan Kelly's 40th-minute sending off after he was given a second yellow card for a reckless high challenge on Darragh Canavan gave Errigal Ciaran a lifeline which they, and Ruairi Canavan in particular, grabbed.

Canavan's sixth point of the contest after two frees from cousin Thomas Canavan had the sides level by the 45th minute at 0-11 to 1-8.

Canavan twice nudged the Ballygawley men ahead only for Dan McCarthy and Rioghan Meeghan to level with long-range scores but inevitably it was Errigal Ciaran's man of the match who ensured the 8 December decider against Kilcoo by swinging over a sensational winner with his left foot in the final minute of injury-time.

Clann Eireann's defence were never able to get to grips with the magnificent Canavan as his 0-9 haul included five points from play.

In contrast, Clann Eireann's key forward Turbitt was largely subdued by Cormac Quinn and the other members of the Errigal Ciaran defence although the Armagh champions will look back with huge regret on Kelly's sending off.

More to follow.