Cavan Gaels 1-10 1-12 St Gall's

CJ McGourty hit 1-4 for St Gall's at Breffni Park

St Gall's held off 12-man Cavan Gaels after extra-time to win a thrilling opening AIB Ulster Club Football clash at Kingspan Breffni Park.

Nicholas Walsh's goal helped Gaels lead 1-3 to 0-2 at half-time and they extended their advantage to six points.

However, CJ McGourty's penalty helped Gall's bring the match to extra-time as Gael's Eamon Reilly was sent off.

Gall's five points in extra-time proved enough as Cavan's Anthony Forde, Walsh and Karl Crotty were also sent off.

The win, which avenged last year's provincial championship defeat by Cavan Gaels, set up an Ulster quarter-final against Armagh champions Pearse Og.

Terry O'Neill hit the opening score for St Gall's but Cavan Gaels' more direct football was yielding better results as Seanie Johnston, Dominic Reilly and Walsh pointed to put them 0-3 to 0-1 ahead.

Gall's over-elaboration was threatening their prospects with CJ McGourty's attempt to find his unmarked brother Ciaran instead of taking his point a case in point in the ninth minute.

Sean Kelly pointed for Gall's in the 23rd minute but great work by Johnston and Michael Lyng set up Walsh's 26th-minute goal.

The Cavan outfit's four-point half-time lead was quickly increased to six after scores from Johnston and Cathal Collins.

Sean Burke and Nicholas Walsh were both in action at Breffni Park

However, the hitherto unimpressive Rory Gallagher got Gall's scoring again and further points from CJ McGourty and Sean Kelly left a kick of the ball between the sides with 15 minutes left.

Cavan Gaels keeper Eoin Elliott was then correctly penalised for over-carrying in the square and CJ McGourty held his nerve to slot home the penalty.

Immediately after the penalty an ugly melee broke out involving around 20 players and Eamon Reilly was picked out as the main culprit and given a straight red card.

Gall's moved ahead twice during the remainder of normal time but points from Johnston and Padraig Smith ensured the 20 minutes of extra-time.

Niall Murray nudged Gaels ahead early in extra-time but Gall's regrouped to lead 1-10 to 1-9 after the first period.

Gaels had Anthony Forde dismissed right at the end of the opening period of extra-time after he was handed a second yellow card for apparent backchat.

Gall's tactical change to more direct play, following the introduction of Darren O'Hare to full-forward, was starting to bear fruit at that stage as points from CJ McGourty and Karl Stewart extended the Belfast club's lead to 1-12 to 1-10.

Cavan Gaels hit the woodwork with three minutes left after Michael Lyng opted to take a short free instead of tapping the ball over the bar.

Gaels lost their discipline in the closing minutes as Walsh and Karl Crotty both received second yellow cards.

Johnston also appeared fortunate not to join them in the early bath after kicking the ball at the match referee Martin Duffy - despite his profuse apologies to the official.