U21s deliver on promise
November 27, 2011"We came, we fought, we weren't successful, but we'll be back." - Terry Hyland after his Cavan Under 21 team's Ulster championship final defeat to Donegal on April 7, 2010.
Fortunately for the Cavan GAA faithful, the Lacken man just happens to be a man of his word and one that knew at the time he had the right ingredients coming through that were well capable of delivering a provincial championship triumph in 12 months' time.
It wasn't only Hyland who knew it. Having come so close the previous year, the players believed in themselves more than anybody and that, as the manager himself will tell you, was more key than anything when it came to Cavan's historic Irish News Cup triumph on April 13 of this year.
With ten survivors from the promising crop of 2010, Hyland and a more than capable management team of Anthony Forde, Ronan Carolan, Ciaran Fitzpatrick and Joe McCarthy had a strong nucleus to build a winning team with and would use Hastings Cup games in the icy conditions at the start of the year to find out just how hot they were ahead of their 'do-or-die' Cadbury Ulster U21FC campaign, which commenced in February.
Cavan's start to the competition was a strong one, as they put neighbours Longford to the sword before coming through more games to meet an unpredictable Leitrim outfit under the managership of Mickey Moran in the semi-final. Played at the end of January, Cavan scored a 1-16 to 3-8 win to move into the competition's final against Roscommon - a county very much on the crest of a wave having claimed Connacht success in both the Under 21 and senior grades in 2010.
The decider at Michael Fay Park in Longford saw the Rossies gunning for a fifth success in-a-row in the competition, with the previous year's success coming against the Breffni men at the same venue.
After an evening opening 30 minutes, Cavan held a slender 0-6 to 0-5 advantage at the break through the scores of Barry Reilly (3), Niall McDermott, Turloc Mooney and Gearoid McKiernan, who lined-out in an All-Ireland club junior championship final with Swanlinbar the following Saturday. In second-half, the splendid McKiernan, whose contribution here would have surely went some way towards earning him the captaincy come championship, extended the lead before Ramor ace Jack Brady moved the Rossies further adrift and a sweet '45' from McKiernan had Cavan firmly in the driving-seat.
The holders pulled themselves back into the game, but Cavan went on to flex their considerable muscle in the closing stages by sending on some useful substitutes, two of which - Conor McClarey and Packie Leddy - would get themselves on the score-sheet to secure the Breffni County's first piece of silverware for 2011, with Oisin Minagh, Kevin Meehan and McKiernan each taking the responsibility as joint-captains to bring the Hastings Cup back across the Leinster-Ulster border.
Cavan (Hastings Cup final v Roscommon): A O'Mara; M Leddy, O Minagh, D Barkey; K Meehan, M Brady, B Tully; G McKiernan, T Mooney (0-1); N Smith (0-1), N Murray, B Reilly (0-3, 2f); J Brady (0-1), N McDermott, S Tierney. Subs: C Smith, S Reilly, P Leddy (0-2, 1f), C McClarey, N McKiernan.
Hyland's charges couldn't have asked for a better start to their season, nor a more ideal way to prepare for their provincial championship opener, and the training sessions and challenge matches came thick and fast for the players as they primed themselves for what was sure to be a tricky start away to Fermanagh on March 16.
If Cavan were to go one better than the previous year and claim Ulster glory, they would have to do it in the space of four weeks and knew they'd need to hit the ground running in a competition which runs off as quick as any for inter-county teams.
The Blues went into the clash with the Ernesiders at Brewster Park - the same arena where so many of them suffered agony against Donegal 11 months previous - completely focussed on the task at hand. The evidence was there for all to see in Enniskillen as the visitors settled in quickly by grabbing the first fours scores via Barry Reilly (2), Gearoid McKiernan and Niall McDermott. Fermanagh responded with a point from star midfielder Ryan Jones, who would be completely overshadowed by the outstanding McKiernan as the game grew on.
The crucial moment came for Cavan on the quarter hour mark though, when speedster Niall Smith found the breakthrough and buried the ball in the back of the Fermanagh net to send the Blues in with a favourable 1-9 to 1-4 advantage. The home side did up tempo after the break with Joe O'Brien's goal giving them some hope, but a couple of excellent saves from Alan O'Mara denied them another major during their purple patch and points down the other end from Jack Brady and McDermott ensured Cavan moved into the last four of the province on a 1-13 to 1-7 score-line.
Cavan (Ulster U21FC quarter-final v Fermanagh): A O'Mara; M Leddy, O Moynagh, D Tighe; K Meehan, D Barkey, M Brady; G McKiernan (0-2), F Flanagan; N Smith (1-0), N Murray (0-1), B Reilly (0-2, 1f); J Brady (0-4, 4f), N McDermott (0-3), P Leddy (0-1). Subs: T Mooney for Tighe, C McClarey for Brady, B Tully for M Brady, S Nolan for Smith, N McKerrinan for Leddy.
Seven days later and Cavan went some way towards atoning for the previous year's Ulster final defeat with a convincing 0-12 to 1-4 victory over Donegal at the same venue.
Despite a first-half goal from Donegal senior star Dermot Molloy, Terry Hyland's fired-up charges led by two points at the turnaround (0-6 to 1-1) and extended the advantage during an impressive second-half showing.
Barry Reilly top-scored for the winners with 0-5, four of which came from frees, while Jack Brady and Niall McDermott contributed two points apiece and captain Gearoid McKiernan was again superb at centre-field alongside partner Fergal Flanagan of Butlersbridge.
Five points down as the clock ticked towards the hour, the defending Ulster champions needed goals to have any chance of reaching another final but once again the Cavan defence - back-boned by Oisin Minagh and Damien Barkey - held firm and when Donegal did get a sight of goal, through sub Seamus Corcoran, he found no way past the reliable O'Mara.
Cavan (Ulster U21 semi-final v Donegal): A O'Mara: M Leddy, O Minagh, D Tighe; K Meehan, D Barkey, M Brady; G McKiernan (0-1), F Flanagan; N Smith (0-1), C McClarey, B Reilly (0-5, four frees); J Brady (0-2), N McDermott (0-2), P Leddy (0-1). Subs: S Tierney for McClarey (42), N McKiernan for Leddy (45), N Murray for Flanagan (53), S Nolan for Brady (59), S Gray for Tighe (61).
The victory saw a slight revenge mission accomplished for the Breffni men after the heartbreak of 2010, but the Ulster final threw up a whole new incentive for a crop of players that had finished second best to would-be All-Ireland minor champions Tyrone back in 2008. When the pairings for the decider on April 13 were confirmed, once again it was the Red Hands that were established as favourites by the bookies to add to their packed silverware cabinet and take The Irish News Cup.
Cavan approached the game quietly confident against a county that boasted such a stronghold at underage level, winning two All-Ireland minor titles in the previous three seasons. The neutral hunch firmly suggested a Tyrone win, but it wouldn't stop an estimated 4,000 Cavan supporters making the familiar trip to Enniskillen to spur on the underdogs whom would have them on their feet in the opening seconds and on the edge of their seats come the dying stages.
Any nerves on the field from a Cavan perspective were settled abruptly when Gearoid McKiernan grabbed Shaun McLaughlin's throw-in and found Niall Murray's cunning run through with a splendid ball which saw the Cavan Gaels ace rip through the centre and coolly round Niall Morgan in the Tyrone goal to lash to the net after just 10 seconds.
It was the perfect start to a perfect night for the Breffni County as they kicked on superbly and notched scores via Jack Brady, Barry Reilly and skipper McKiernan, who again lorded things at centre-field, to take in a 1-5 to 0-4 advantage at the interval.
Hyland introduced Turloc Mooney and Patrick King in the early stages of the second-half, as the anticipated Tyrone recovery arrived on schedule, and the latter landed a crucial point to help stem the tide back in Cavan's favour. It was tit for tat after that as Brady and Ronan O'Neill traded scores, but a Richard Donnelly point narrowed the gap to 0-10 to 1-9 to keep the pressure tight on the Blues.
The closing 10 minutes saw Cavan defending like demons to cling on to their lead, with Barkey and Minagh again outstanding down the centre, while Fergal Flanagan completely nullified the threat of a familiar foe in Kyle Coney, and both Kevin Meehan and Michael Brady consistently offered vital outlets along either sideline to relieve the pressure.
A nervy moment arrived towards injury-time which saw Bailieborough shot-stopper O'Mara come up trumps once again to clear the danger and with Cavan sorely in need of a score it was that man King who stepped up to drive over a gem from the right flank in the added minutes for the loudest roar of the night at Brewster Park. In the next attack, Packie Leddy carried possession as far as Murray to release the centre-forward for another goal chance. The shot was parried this time by Morgan but it made no difference as the resultant kick-out saw the long whistle sounded and with it the joyous Cavan crew created delirious scenes as another deafening roar went up when McKiernan raised The Irish News Cup aloft.
Cavan (Ulster U21FC final v Tyrone): A O'Mara; F Flanagan, O Minagh, D Tighe; K Meehan, D Barkey, M Brady; G McKiernan (0-2), M Leddy; N Smith, N Murray (1-0), B Reilly (0-2, frees); J Brady (0-4, 0-2 frees), N McDermott, P Leddy. Subs: T Mooney for Tighe (36 mins), P King (0-2) for M Leddy (47 mins), C McClarey for Smith (52 mins), S Smith for McDermott (55 mins), F Flanagan (Castlerahan) for Reilly (60 mins).
The historic victory saw a 14-year wait for Ulster football championship success - at any level - finally ended for the Breffni County, but there would hardly be time to celebrate as a strict, and unfair, Croke Park schedule had the newly crowned Ulster champions fixed to play Wexford in the All-Ireland semi-final just three days on from their triumph. Both counties were believed to have had agreed to play the game a week later, but the powers that be wouldn't budge and Hyland's charges were forced to quickly move on and travel to the Parnell Park that Saturday, when an All-Ireland final place would be at stake.
Showing few signs of fatigue, the Breffni men took control in the second half to set-up a final showdown with Galway, whom upset favourites Cork the same evening.
They started brightly with Niall McDermott and Michael Brady posting early scores, but a brace of Conor Carty points and a long-range free from midfielder Michael O'Regan had Wexford ahead coming towards half-time. However, Barry Reilly replied with a free to leave the sides level on 0-4 apiece at the break.
McDermott struck for the only goal three minutes after the restart, which proved to be the salient moment for Cavan, only for Wexford to hit back with two Carty frees which left the minimum in it. But with Packie Leddy to the fore, Cavan put in a strong final quarter which yielded match-winning points from Gearoid McKiernan and Jack Brady, with the Ramor sharpshooter scooping three late scores to secure a 1-10 to 0-8 win and a Croke Park date with the Tribesmen.
Cavan: A O'Mara; F Flanagan, O Minagh, D Tighe; K Meehan, D Barkey, M Brady (0-1); G McKiernan (0-1), M Leddy; N Smith (0-1), N Murray, B Reilly (0-2, 2f); J Brady (0-3, 1f), N McDermott (1-2), P Leddy. Subs: P King for M Leddy, T Mooney for M Brady, C McClarey for Smith, K Tierney for Reilly, C Smith for P Leddy.
Incredibly, the May 1 decider would mark Cavan's first All-Ireland football final appearance at Croke Park since the 1950s (a stat that tells its own story) and the players were certainly keen to make the most of it. Preparations in the build-up to showdown with the Connacht kingpins were said to be ideal and the mood in the camp was likewise by all accounts, but, unfortunately, on the day Cavan would walk right into a Galway haymaker at GAA HQ in front of over 12,000 of their faithful supporters which journeyed down the new N3 to the capital.
After a promising Cavan start, which saw Niall Smith and Barry Reilly register the opening points, the Westeners took control of the first-half to lead by 11 points at the halfway stage, 2-10 to 0-5, with the goals coming from Patrick Sweeney and Eric Monaghan, while 'Man of the Match' Mark Hehir arrowed over five points.
It left Hyland's men with a mammoth mountain to climb in the second-half and after a superb Niall Murray point they were handed somewhat of lifeline six minutes into the resumption when Niall McDermott was fouled in the Galway square for a penalty, but Reilly's spot-kick was blocked by Maurice Breathnach as the signs grew more ominous for the Ulster champions.
After that Galway would move themselves into an unassailable 12-point lead with the final quarter approaching, but their opponents continued to try hard as substitute Kevin Tierney, McDermott and Jack Brady all landed points heading towards closing stages when substitute Conor McClarey fired in a consolation goal to take some tarnish off a 2-16 to 1-9 final score-line which saw spelled a disappointing end to Cavan's stellar season.
Cavan (All-Ireland U21FC v Galway): A O'Mara; M Leddy, O Minagh, D Tighe; K Meehan, D Barkey, M Brady; G McKiernan, M Leddy (0-1); N Smith (0-1), N Murray (0-1), B Reilly (0-2); J Brady (0-1), N McDermott (0-2), P Leddy. Subs: P King, T Mooney, K Tierney (0-1), N McKiernan, C McClarey (1-0).
Answering to national media afterwards, Hyland admitted that his team were completely outplayed by a brilliant Galway side on the day, but also pointed that out that it was a season to savour for the Breffni County.
"Galway got off to a wonderful start and perhaps nerves got to our boys a little bit," said the Lacken man.
"They seemed to fumble a lot of ball they would usually hold onto. In fairness to Galway, everything they did turned to gold. They were fit to kick the ball from anywhere and it went over the bar. Our lads were dropping a few short at the same time. But look, Galway were the better team on the day, there's no point taking away from that."
He added: "While we'll go home disappointed, we are still our own provincial champions, which is a fair achievement for Cavan and hadn't happened since 1996. We got to an Ulster final also last year and, hopefully, we can put out a bunch of fellas next year who can compete again."
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