Cavan 1-17
Leitrim 3-4

Cavan opened their National Hurling League campaign yesterday with a convincing win over neighbours Leitrim at Kingspan Breffni Park.

The Breffni men had edged their opponents by a point thanks to Kevin Downes after the opening quarter, before their forwards found their rhythm to notch an unanswered 1-5, with the goal coming from Mullahoran attacker Mark McEntee in the 28th minute.

Leitrim clawed their way back into things shortly afterwards though and a goal from Dave McGovern helped reduce the deficit to 1-9 to 1-3 at half-time.

In the second-half, Cavan put their foot back on the throttle though, as Bernard Gaffney finished the game with 0-9 to his name and he was backed up by the accurate Downes, who finished with just three points less.

Both Leitrim goals in the second period proved to be consolation, particularly Shane Kiernan's in the 66th minute as the game was well a truly up by then for the visitors.

Cavan - M Curry; D Neary, M Carr, A Sheridan; B Devine, C Nelligan, A Nelligan; P Sheridan, G Brennan (0-1); C Brennan, B Gaffney (0-9, 3f, 3 '65s), R O'Hanlon; K Downes (0-6), M McEntee (1-1), M O'Connell. Subs: J Rosney for R O'Hanlon (20), S Og Brady for M O'Connell (66).

Leitrim - P McKiernan; K McGrath, N Guckian, S Guckian; K Boyle, V McDermott, M Poniard; K Connolly, C Cunniffe (1-3, 1f, 1 '65); D McGovern (1-0), I Bermingham, F Carroll; M Hayes, D O'Brien (0-1), M Burns. Subs: C Burns for M Hayes (30), L Burns for I Berminghan (38), P McWeeney for F Carroll (47), S Kiernan (1-0) for M Burns (55), D Tiernan for K McGrath (65).

Ref: C Groome (Offaly) Tweet

Most Read Stories