Cavan demolish Dublin to land Gerry Reilly Cup
July 28, 2014
Danny Brady was in charge of this year's county's U-16 squad which defeated Dublin to claim the Gerry Reilly Cup.
Dublin 1-8
Cavan powered to victory over Dublin in the Gerry Reilly U-16 FT Cup Final played in Oldcastle on Sunday evening.
A great game was expected by the two teams that were unbeaten in their respective groups in the 'round robin' games. That's what the large attendance got with a game played at a hectic pace and spirit from both sides.
Dublin's, Ciaran Dowling got the opening score with a pointed free. Cavan responded with two points from Conor Smith and Thomas Edward Donohue. Jeff Rafter got Dublin's second point to have the sides level.
A pointed free by Cavan's Stephen Smith put them ahead again. Cavan's 'Keeper, Daniel Cullivan brought off a great save to deny Dublin a goal.
Cavan then got very much on top scoring 5 unanswered points (Thomas Edward Donohue (0-4 (2f)) and Stephen Smith (0-1 (f)). A great run by Aaron Carey resulted in Dublin's 3rd point. In the 16th minute Cavan's Conor Smith registered his second point. Cavan added two more points to their tally before Cavan's ' keeper brought on another great save to deprive Dublin in the 29th minute. H/T: Cavan 0-11 Dublin 0-3
When Stephen Smith finished to the Dublin net minutes into the restart, they were well on the road to securing victory. However the Dublin lads had other ideas and by the 40th minute had recorded 4 unanswered points Conor Lennon, Ciaran Dowling (2f) and Jack Rowe.
Cavan hit back with points from Owen Cooney and Conor Smith.
When Jeff Rafter finished to the Cavan net after a mistake by the 'keeper, Dublin were right back in it. They were putting a lot of pressure on Cavan but the Cavan defence were playing their hearts out.
Cavan went on to add 3 points to their score, while Dublin failed to covert their scoring chances. Cavan began to play possession football to run out the clock.
It was Dublin's Cormac Howley who pointed for the last score of the game.
It was a tremendous game of football with great skills and determination displayed by both sides which augurs well for their futures at both club and county level.
Cavan's Captain, Thomas Edward Donohoe was presented with the Gerry Reilly Cup by Claire Reilly (mother of Gerry Reilly).
Caffrey's Millbrook Food Market 'Man of the match' award winner was Thomas Edward Donohoe.
Cavan: Daniel Cullivan - Cornafean; Finbar McAvenie - Arva; Patrick O Reilly - Crosserlough; Matthew McGee - Ramor United; Eoin Smith - Crosserlough; Colm OReilly - Mullahoran; Luke Fortune - Cavan Gaels; Conor Brady - Gowna ; Thomas Keaney - Crosserlough; Ryan ONeill - Killdallan; Patrick Brady - Mullahoran; Stephen Smith - Crosserlough (1-5, 5f); Owen Cooney - Laragh (0-2); Thomas Edward Donohoe - Denn (0-5, 2f)); Conor Smith - Kllygarry (0-4).
Subs: Jordan Mc Cabe - Knockbride for Keaney; Shane Hamilton - Arva for Cooney; Cavell Keogan - Denn for Conor Smith; Conor Rehill - Crosserlough for Fortune
Dublin: Evan Comerford (Ballymun Kickhams); Glen McNamara (Raheny); Rob Shaw (Castleknock); Seafra Fitzgerald (Na Fianna); Aaron Carey (St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh) (0-1); Paddy Smyth (Clontarf); Conor Gibson (Nh Barróg); David Maloney (St Sylvester's); Aaron Bradshaw (Ballinteer St John's); Cormac Howley (Round Tower, Lusk) (0-1); Dan O'Brien (Kilmacud Crokes); Kevin Lillis (Clontarf); Jeff Rafter (Na Fianna) (1-1); Ciarán Dowling (Lucan Sarsfields) (0-3, 3f); Conor Lennon (St Finian's, Swords) (0-1).
Subs: Conor Ryan (St Vincent's) for Maloney; Eric Rowan (Thomas Davis) for Lillis; Nathan Doran (Clontarf) For Smyth; Jack Rowe (Trinity Gaels) (0-1) for Carey; Tiernan McGlynn (St Brigid's) For Rafter; ; Seán Bugler (St Oliver Plunkett's/Eoghan Ruadh) for Fitzgerald
Ref: Ciaran Flynn (Meath) Tweet
