Aaron McKay, Armagh, and Ciarán Brady, Cavan, in Allianz Football League action. Photo by Oliver McVeigh/Sportsfile
Allianz Football League Division Two
Armagh 2-21 Cavan 0-12
By Steve Malone at BOX-IT Athletic Grounds
Armagh are back in Division One of the Allianz National Football League following a comprehensive 15-point win over Cavan.
They were in a commanding 14-points lead (2-12 to 0-4) at the break and that meant no way back for Cavan.’
The second half was well-managed by Kieran McGeeney’s men and with Rian O’Neill and brother Oisin springing from the bench Armagh are building nicely ahead of the summer.
Cavan were without Padraig Faulkner and Gerard Smith, which was a huge blow but they did have Dara McVeety back after a long lay-off and he stroked over two nice points.
Greg McCabe was magnificent in the first half along with the clinical forward line of Andrew Murnin, Conor Turbitt, Rory Grugan and Stefan Campbell, who all peppered the posts.
Oisin Conaty was held scoreless in the first half, but bagged four from play in the second half.
The 28th minute goal from corner back Peter McGrane, who rounded goalkeeper Gary O’Rourke after Connaire Mackin’s lofty pass over the top put the game out of Cavan’s reach as Armagh led 1-10 to 0-3.
Turbitt was through on goal, but outside the square when Cillian Brady turned him over and referee Liam Devenney didn’t hesitate to issue the black card and penalty, which the Clann Eireann forward converted, which was the last action of the half.
Armagh managed the second half without too much fuss, Cavan’s Ryan O’Neill and Orchard’s Rian O’Neill traded points in the final quarter, while Paddy Lynch and Rory Grugan did likewise, but there was no way back for the Breffni men.
The game was over as a contest long before the final whistle as Armagh plan to make the trip to Cork next weekend ahead of their Easter Sunday Croke Park Final against Jim McGuinness’ Donegal, while Cavan will be looking to respond when they face Fermanagh.
Armagh: Blaine Hughes, Paddy Burns, Aaron McKay, Peter McGrane 1-0, Greg McCabe 0-2, Aidan Forker, Joe McElroy, Barry McCambridge, Ben Crealey 0-1, Stefan Campbell 0-1, Rory Grugan 0-5 (3f), Connaire Mackin, Conor Turbitt 1-4 (1pen, 2f), Andrew Murnin 0-2, Oisin Conaty 0-4.
Subs: Ross McQuillan for P. McGrane (Blood Sub), Tiernan Kelly for G. McCabe, Ross McQuillan 0-1 for P. Burns, Aidan Nugent for C. Turbitt, Rian O’Neill 0-1 for A. Murnin, Jemar Hall for B. Crealey.
Cavan: Gary O’Rourke, Cian Reilly, Cillian Brady, Oisin Kiernan, Dara McVeety 0-2, Niall Carolan, Brian O’Connell, Killian Clarke, James Smith, Ciaran Brady, Cian Madden, Tiarnan Madden 0-1, Ryan O’Neill 0-3, Paddy Lynch 0-5 (5f), Ryan Donohoe 0-1.
Subs: Oisin Brady for C Madden, Conor Brady for N. Carolan, Tristan Noack Hofmann for J. Smith, Luke Fortune for C. Reilly.