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Allianz FL D1: Cavan see off Roscommon

Martin Reilly of Cavan out-jumps Darren O’Malley and Conor Hussey of Roscommon to score his side's third goal of the game during the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 4 match between Cavan and Roscommon at the Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. 

Martin Reilly of Cavan out-jumps Darren O’Malley and Conor Hussey of Roscommon to score his side's third goal of the game during the Allianz Football League Division 1 Round 4 match between Cavan and Roscommon at the Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. 

Allianz Football League Division 1

Cavan 3-13 ROSCOMMON 0-13

By Paul Fitzpatrick

Two brilliantly-taken goals from corner-forward Conor Madden and outstanding displays from Martin Reilly and Niall Murray proved vital as Cavan deservedly picked up their first win of the season against Roscommon.

The Breffni men had just one win on their ledger from their previous 11 meetings with the Connacht side and had failed to raise a green flag in the current campaign but they set the record straight on both in emphatic fashion.

And, in truth, Mickey Graham's side should have won with a lot more to spare, kicking 17 wides over the 70 minutes, some of them from very scoreable positions.

The exchanges were tight for long spells, with Cavan's wastefulness helping keep the Rossies in the game, but once Madden smashed home his second goal and Ultan Harney was dismissed on a straight red card, Cavan did not look back.

Centre-back Niall Daly opened the scoring for Roscommon from their first attack, by which stage the hosts had already recorded three wides, before Cavan reeled off three in a row from starting debutant Chris Conroy, Murray and Jack Brady (free).

Kerry native Conor Cox landed two points, one a magical effort from the wing, either side of a classy Reilly score from play.

The sides were level four times in the first half in total. Conor Hussey and Madden (mark), Niall Kilroy and Murray exchanged points before the Rossies took the lead again with two fine scores from Cox and Cathal Cregg on the half-hour mark.

Frees from Martin Reilly and Cox left it 0-8 to 0-7 in favour of the visitors before Cavan struck for the crucial score of the contest in the dresgs of the first half, Reilly finding Madden who tore along the end-line and sent a rocket of a shot to the roof of Darren O'Malley's net to leave Cavan two ahead at the break.

Roscommon would regain the lead midway through the third quarter with frees from sub Donie Smith, Cregg and a super effort from captain Enda Smith but once Madden gathered a perfect long ball from Murray and planted to the net again, Cavan didn't look back.

Roscommon lost Ultan Harney to a straight red card with 20 minutes to play and Cavan won the final quarter by 1-6 to 0-1.

Another high ball from Murray was flicked to the net by Reilly and the Killygarry man added the next point, with Conor Moynagh, Dara McVeety and Man of the Match Murray all raising further white flags as Graham's side won pulling up.

Scorers for Cavan: Conor Madden 2-1 (1m), Martin Reilly 1-3 (1f), Niall Murray 0-2, Chris Conroy 0-2 (1f), Jack Brady 0-2 (2f), Conor Moynagh 0-1, Dara McVeety 0-1, Gerard Smith 0-1,

Scorers for Roscommon: Conor Cox 0-5 (4f), Cathal Cregg 0-2 (1f), Conor Hussey 0-1, Niall Daly 0-1, Enda Smith 0-1, Niall Kilroy 0-1, Donie Smith 0-1 (f), Darren O'Malley 0-1 (f)

CAVAN: Raymond Galligan, Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Conor Moynagh, Ciaran Brady, Chris Conroy, Conor Rehill, Paul Graham, Killian Clarke, Martin Reilly, Dara McVeety, Niall Murray, Niall Clerkin, Jack Brady, Conor Madden. Subs: Gerard Smith for Rehill (44 mins), Thomas Galligan for Graham (44 mins), Pierce Smith for J Brady (52), Stephen Murray for C Brady (58), Cian Mackey for Madden (63)

ROSCOMMON: Darren O'Malley, David Murray, Conor Daly, Evan McGrath, Conor Hussey, Niall Daly (0-1), Ronan Daly, Tadgh O'Rourke, Enda Smith (0-1), Shane Kiloran, Ultan Harney, Niall Kilroy, Conor Cox, Conor Devaney, Cathal Cregg. Subs: Donie Smith for Kilroy (ht), Gary Patterson for Kiloran (51), Aonghus Lyons for Hussey (56), Caoilean Fitzmaurice for Cox (64), Hubert Darcy for McGrath (67).

Ref: David Gough (Meath)