Allianz FL D2: Spirited Cavan prevail

Allianz Football League Division Two

Cavan 0-16 Kildare 0-13

By Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Battling Cavan came from three points down early in the second half to pick up their first win of the season in this crucial clash at Kingspan Breffni.

The sides were deadlocked at 0-5 apiece at the end of a first half played in very difficult conditions. Kildare moved three clear early in the second half, but Cavan, inspired by sub Gearoid McKiernan, dug deep and ran out deserving winners.

The first half was played in driving rain and a swirling wind that blew cross-field so, understandably, free-flowing football was at a premium and both sides struggled to find their ranges up front.

Top scorer Paddy Lynch opened the scoring with a 39-metre free off the ground after nine minutes; Darragh Kirwan blasted over off his left in response when half a goal chance seemed on.

Cavan struck for the first two-pointer of the afternoon when Lynch took a quick return from Gerard Smith on the loop and his snapshot from 40 metres edged the hosts 0-3 to 0-1 in front.

Chances came and went. Dara McVeety and Oisin Brady were off target, while Liam Brady did well under a series of high deliveries into the square. Three efforts from the right of the posts drifted wide for Cavan as scores continued to be hard to come by for both sides.

Callum Bolton clipped a fine score from just inside the arc to close the gap before Kirwan levelled matters at 0-3 apiece on 23 minutes after Ben Loakman’s pace created the opening.

McVeety won a free off Harry O’Neill which Tiarnan Madden converted, but Brian McLoughlin responded with a tidy effort off his left.

Cavan had chances to stretch clear before the break. McVeety won another free, but Madden struck the upright, while Lynch dropped two shots short in the same attack as the wind swirled unpredictably.

Gerard Smith restored Cavan’s lead with a neat left-footed point after good work from Oisin Brady, who turned in an outstanding second half, but Kildare had the final say of the half. A tremendous crossfield ball from Loakman found Colm Moran, who blasted over with the last kick to leave it 0-5 to 0-5 at the interval.

Kildare emerged with real intent. James Harris curled over from just inside the arc and Loakman followed with a two-point free in a blistering opening to the second half which pushed the visitors three clear.

Cavan needed a response and found it from Lynch, who converted a two-point free off the ground after Ciaran Brady was fouled. Lynch then had a chance to level with another effort from distance after Cian Shekleton was body-checked off the ball, but this one drifted just wide.

The game opened up as the rain eased and a sliver of sunshine broke through. Ciaran Brady surged forward and slipped the ball to Oisin Brady, who blasted over to draw Cavan level. Moran edged Kildare back in front on a breakaway, but Oisin Brady, growing in influence, darted into space and curled over a superb equaliser.

McVeety took on his man and arced over a fine score to hand Cavan the lead for the first time since the opening half. After a delay following an off-the-ball incident, Lynch stretched the advantage with a 45-metre free.

Veteran McKiernan, who had been introduced just before half-time, was key at this stage, giving the hosts an option on kick-outs and galloping forward when the chance arose. The 35-year-old dropped the shoulder, burst past his marker and pointed off his left to open a four-point gap. Moments later, Cavan forced a turnover at midfield, Lynch released clubmate McVeety and the latter tore away to slot over.

Loakman kept the Lilywhites in touch with a pair of scores, but Cavan looked the more composed side. Ryan Brady and Lynch combined for a superb point which kissed the crossbar on its way over, restoring a four-point cushion.

A turnover at midfield allowed Loakman to narrow the gap to three, and after Liam Brady’s kick-out went astray, Harris curled over to reduce the deficit to two entering the closing stages.

A black card for Padraic Spillane further complicated matters for Kildare and, from a tight angle in the left corner, Lynch showed admirable composure to nail the insurance free. The hooter sounded as Kildare launched one last kick-out, but Cavan saw it out to claim a hard-earned victory.

Cavan: Liam Brady, Jason McLoughlin, Paddy Meade, Brían O’Connell, Oisin Brady (0-2), Niall Carolan, Gerard Smith (0-1), Eoin Clarke, Conor Brady, Ciaran Brady (Arva), Tiarnan Madden (0-1f), Peter Corrigan, Cian Shekleton, Patrick Lynch (0-9, 2pt, 2ptf, 3f), Dara McVeety (0-2).

Subs: Gearoid McKiernan (0-1) for N Carolan (35), Ryan Brady for C Shekleton (50), Caoimhan McGovern for T Madden (56).

Kildare: Cian Burke, Harry O’Neill, Padraic Spillane, Ryan Burke, James Harris (0-2), Eoin Lawlor, Brian Byrne, Darragh Swords, Brendan Gibbons, Brian McLoughlin (0-1), Callum Bolton (0-1), Colm Moran (0-2), Ben Loakman (0-5, 2ptf), Darragh Kirwan (0-2), Eoin Cully

Subs: Tommy Gill for D Swords (HT), Neil Flynn for E Cully (46), Jack McKevitt for C Moran (56), Sam Doran for J McGrath (62).

Referee: James Judge (Mayo).