FL2: Breffni boys give Meath the blues

February 28, 2016

Meath's Padraic Harnan and David Givney (Cavan) during the NFL Division 2 game at Pairc Tailteann

A supercharged second-half showing saw Cavan blitz Meath in this Allianz NFL Division 2 round three clash at Pairc Tailteann on Sunday.

Cavan ........ 1-20
Meath .........1-13

Cavan trailed the home side by seven points at half-time, but outscored them by 1-15 to 0-4 thereafter to register their first points of the campaign.

By the end 11 different players (including goalkeeper Raymond Galligan from a 50-metre free) were on the scoresheet for Terry Hyland's men who lost narrowly to Tyrone and Derry respectively in the opening two rounds.

Meath managed the first score of the second-half, a Sean Tobin free at the town end and move eight points clear, in their quest for a second home win of the league.

With Gearoid McKiernan and Sean Johnston leading the way in attack, Cavan gradually assumed control. The visitors were lifted by David Givney's 50th minute goal that left the men in blue just one point off the pace, 1-9 to 1-10. Earlier in the half, Givney was denied a goal by Meath 'keeper Paddy O'Rourke.

Cavan gained parity for the first time, 1-11-each,  when sub Niall Murray pointed midway through the half. 'Kicking-on' the visitors outscored Meath by 0-9 to 0-2 in the time remaining. At the end 11 different players were on the scoresheet for the winners.

An excellent solo Eamon Wallace point saw Meath regain the lead, 1-12 to 1-11, in the 54th minute. However, Cavan were relentless in pursuit of the spoils and posted eight points in the time remaining. A Sean Tobin point  was the hosts' sole remaining score.

Cavan closed out with four unanswered scores. McKiernan's final score could have been a goal if such was required. A miserable afternoon for Meath was compounded by the red-carding of 'keeper Paddy O'Rourke deep into stoppage time.

For the first-half, Meath played from the town end and within 10 of the off, Graham Reilly pointed with help from Sean Tobin. By the fifth minute, Meath had trebled their lead through Tobin (free) and Michael Newman.

It wasn't until the 15th minute that Cavan got off the mark, with Sean Johnston (free) registering. With Gearoid McKiernan directing matters in attack the visitors created promising situations.

However, they were let down by some poor shooting, finishing the half with nine wides to Meath's four. Cavan 'keeper Raymond Galligan saved from Newman in the 14th minute at the expense of a 45.

Johnston's second point left it 0-2 to 0-4. Meath responded with Eamon Wallace's 22nd minute goal, finished with aplomb at the old swimming pool end.

Johnston's next attempt saw him hit the crossbar. Cavan corner back Jason McLoughlin pulled a point back in the 32nd minute. Meath responded with four points on the bounce. Wallace and Reilly registered from play while Newman landed two frees.

That left eight points in it heading into three minutes of stoppage time. Cavan's McKiernan closed the scoring to leave the home side 1-9 to 0-5 ahead at the break.

The Breffni men faced the sun from the resumption,  but played as if it was at their backs as they registered an emphatic win on the neighbours patch.

Cavan - Raymond Galligan (0-1 f); Padraig Faulkner, Killian Clarke, Jason McLoughlin (0-1); Ciaran Brady, Conor Moynagh (0-2), Feargal Flanagan; Tomas Corr (0-1), David Givney (1-0); Dara McVeety (0-3), Gearoid McKiernan (0-2), Martin Reilly; Cian Mackey, Michael Argue (0-1), Seanie Johnston (0-6, 2fs).Subs - Niall Murray (0-2) for Flanagan (42), Killian Brady for Reilly (45), Paul O'Connor (0-1) for Mackey (57), Jack Brady for Johnston (69), Levi Murphy for McLoughlin (70), Brian Sankey for McKiernan (72).

Meath - Paddy O'Rourke; Donal Keogan, Conor McGill, Mickey Burke; Brian Power, Padraic Harnan, Darragh Smyth; Harry Rooney, Donnacha Tobin (0-1); Sean Tobin (0-3, 2fs), Cillian O'Sullivan, Graham Reilly (0-2); Eamon Wallace (1-3), Michael Newman (0-4, 3fs), Donal Lenihan. Subs - Cathal Finn for Smyth (8), James O'Reilly for Finn (27), Andrew Tormey for Power (52), Mark Battersby for O'Sullivan (64),

Referee - Rory Hickey (Clare)


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