Cavan underage football got another shot in the arm with their third successive victory in the Fr. Manning Cup played at Michael Fay Park, Longford, last August where they accounted for the hosts, Longford on a scoreline of 4.-11 to 0-13. This three-in-a-row was Cavan's sixteenth time to win this cup and would seem to have put the outlook for the future of Cavan football in a favourable focus The game, which was played in unseasonable conditions, saw Cavan live up to their status as favourites as they took control of proceedings right  from the start. An in form display by Cavan's three inside forwards, Martin Dunne, Conor Smith and Brendan Fitzpatrick was instrumental in ensuring that the cup was once again Breffni bound. Cavan's powerful display right from the throw-in did not allow Longford to settle and had them chasing the game in a contest that they looked unlikely to win. The homeside laboured as Cavan romped into an early lead with a goal from Belturbet's Brendan Fitzpatrick as early as the first minute. Fitzpatrick's strike was to set the seal on this game as Longford tried to contain a rampant Cavan attack. Cavan had registered 1-3 before Longford got their opening score a point from centre-forward Denis McGoldrick after ten minutes of play. This Longford score only seemed to spur on the Breffni boys and when Cuchulainn's Conor Smith rounded Longford goalkeeper, Mike McGuinness,  his shot rebounded of the bottom of the post to ease the homeside's problems. Longford tried to make a fight of it but some bad misses didn't help their cause and when Cavan netted at the other end after a superb move involving the ever influential Martin Dunne who found the strong running midfielder, Thomas Reilly at the end of a superb pass to register Cavan's second goal of the game. It now looked as if Cavan would run riot but instead they seemed to take their foot of the pedal and the homeside produced their best form during this spell. Brian Coleman in the Cavan goal was now called into the play as he tipped over a shot from Denis McGoldrick. The same player was once again in the action as he saw his pile driver of shot deflected out for a 45 by Coleman. Michael Quinn pointed the resulting 45 and it now looked as if the homeside would make a contest of it. This was not to be as Cavan came back with a vengeance and with Martin Dunne (Cavan Gaels) in scintillating form, netted his sides third goal of the half. Adrian Cole finished the scoring of this half with a point to give his side a commanding half time lead of ten points, 3-5 to 0-4. As was expected Longford tried to make a game of it as they came at Cavan from the start of the second-half. Two points for Longford seemed to set them up for a revival and when referee Kearney awarded the homeside a penalty six minutes into the half, when dangerman Denis McGoldrick was taken down in the square, it looked like the game was beginning to turn. However, this was not to be as a poorly taken penalty shot was easily saved by Cavan keeper, Coleman. Points from Smith and Fitzpatrick saw Cavan maintain their ten point lead 3-9 to 0-8. With Longford now trying desperately trying to make a game of it, the final blow to their efforts was produced when Adrian Cole set up Conor Smith who slotted in his side's fourth goal. This was effectively the end of the game as a contest and while Longford tagged a further three points, it was merely consolation to help take the bare look of the final scoreline.  Cavan Team manager, Niall Lynch, was buoyed with the result. According to the manager: "It was a great victory but we have the final of the Gerry Reilly Cup next weekend and it would be a great achievement to put a Fr Manning Cup and Gerry Reilly Cup in back to back victories." While praising his squad, he also said: Great work has been put in from the entire squad and the effort from the backroom team of Terry Brady (coach), selectors, Ray McMullen, Michael Lee and Finbar Boyle was of immense value." Cavan: Brian Coleman, Kieran Greenan, James McEvoy, Raymond Farrelly, Joshua Hayes, Barry Watters (capt.), Declan McKiernan, Thomas Reilly (1-0), Rory Dunne, Adrian Cole (0-1), Daniel Graham (0-3), Eugene Keating, Matin Dunne (1-4), Conor Smith (1-2), Brendan Fitzpatrick (1-1). Subs: Hugh Briody for A. Cole; Luke Sheridan for D. Graham; Michael Ward for K. Greenan. GERRY REILLY INTER-COUNTY TOURNAMENT Sheridan points way to thrilling Cavan victory This replay of the Gerry Reilly inter-county U-16 football final must surely have given even the faintest hearted Cavan supporter hope for the future as the Breffni boys won out in a thrilling contest, They overcame neighbours, Meath with injury time scores to forge a famous and historic victory on a scoreline of 1-17 to 1-15. As the scoreline would suggest, this was a game that had all those present glued to their seats as both sides produced football of the highest quality. Played in front of  a large crowd at at Gilsenan Park, Oldcastle,  Cavan can thank the unerring free-taking of Bailieboro Shamrock's Killian Sheridan, who recorded a personal tally of 0-8. While Sheridan was flawless in his place kicking this victory must surely rank as one achieved by a spirited and determined Cavan team who faced an equally talented and focused Meath side. Right from the start, the game was played at a hectic pace with both sides displaying high degrees of skill and sportsmanship. A strong second-half performance was what powered them to victory as they edged out their worthy opponents with an injury time winning point. Cavan were first to register on a scoreboard with a long range point from Killian Sheridan. This was cancelled out by Meath's Brian Sheridan with a pointed free before Eugene Keating restored the Breffni lead. The sides exchanged points in this early part of the game with Aaron Newman (Meath) (2) and Martin Dunne (1) for Cavan. Meath found their rhythm and had points from Barry Curran, Brian Sheridan, Kenneth Darby and a goal from Brian Sheridan to put daylight between the teams. With a commanding 1-8 to 0-3 lead it looked as if Meath would stroll to victory but Cavan responded in true fashion and with points from Killian Sheridan (3) and Conor Smith (1) helped reduce Meath s half-time lead to seven points 1-11 to 0-7. Spirited fightback Meath opened the scoring of the second-half with a point but it was Cavan who took the initiative and when Conor Smith found the back of the Meath net for Cavan's goal, the fightback was now well and truly on. Spurred on by this score, Cavan registered five points on the trot to level the game but Graham Reilly restored Meath's lead with a point. A well struck 45 from Killian Sheridan leveled the game but Brian Sheridan edged Meath ahead again with a point. As the game was drawing to a close both sides had chances with Meath failing to take theirs while Cavan availed of every opportunity and with the match looking set to end in another draw, Cavan registered the crucial winning score, a point in injury time from none other than Killian Sheridan who was justifiably awarded Man of the Match. The Cavan team management could rightly feel euphoric after this breathtaking victory. Selector Micky Lee said: "It was a thrilling game. Both sides produced performances of high skills and commitment. The scores from both teams was outstanding with Killian Sheridan producing a stunning performance. We worked hard all season and this is a just reward for their efforts. Team coach, Terry Brady did a great job with them and manager and selectors along with the entire squad gave it their all. This victory is Cavan's second in-a-row in this well run tournament. We won it last year (2004) and having just recently recaptured the Fr. Manning cup, the future of Cavan football would look to be in a healthy state." Cavan have won this tournament on three occasions during its inception fifteen years ago with victories in 1977, 2004 and again in 2005. This crop of players should bode well for future minor success in Ulster and even at All Ireland level. They have shown that under the proper tutelage, they have what it takes to win inter-county tournaments. In the Gerry Reilly replay final they showed not only their football skills but a grit and determination to overcome a strong and talented Meath side. All now that is needed is to keep these young protegies at football for the forseable future. Cavan (v Meath): Christopher Tully, Kieran Greenan, James McEnroe, Declan McKiernan, Joshua Hayes, Niall Gurhy, Thomas Reilly, Killian Sheridan (0-8), Rory Dunne, Adrian Cole, Eugene Keating, Hugh Briody, Martin Dunne (0-3), Conor Smith (1-2), Brendan Fitzpatrick (0-2). Sub: Daniel Graham for Hugh Briody. Tweet

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