Allianz FL D2: Cavan edge out Louth

Allianz Football League Division 2

CAVAN 2-13 LOUTH 3-9

By Dan Bannon in Ardee

Cavan eked out a slender one point victory over Louth in a thoroughly entertaining Division 2 affair in Ardee. With three games remaining Cavan are looking up while Louth are looking down the table.

A dominant third quarter did the trick for the visitors. James Smith’s first Breffni goal upon the resumption sparked the winning tilt. A further three points after Louth were stunned provided the cushion Raymond Galligan’s side would need to hold out Louth’s fightback.

In the niggly affair, both sides lost players to indiscipline. Louth lost Ciarán Downey directly after the Cavan goal, while goalscorer Smith and Oisín Brady picked up two yellow cards that contributed to the host’s strong finish.

Despite the numerical disadvantage, Cavan held out thanks to the leadership of Paddy Lynch.

A scrappy opening was calmed with two dead balls. Caoimhín O’Reilly with an advanced mark right from the throw in opened the scoring, while Sam Mulroy responded with a long range free that all in Ardee are accustomed to.

An error from Louth corner back Peter Lynch allowed Gerard Smith to net Cavan’s first goal of the league. The intercepted hand pass left the Lavey man the easy task of tapping into an open goal.

Again the Wee County would respond. Captain Sam Mulroy fired home a penalty after the talisman bore down on goals, and just when he was about to pull the trigger, the Naomh Mairtin man was tripped.

Despite Paddy Lynch displaying all his top scoring class, the home side would take the lead for the first time in the match with a quarter of an hour played

Plying his trade in Monaghan with Inniskeen Grattan’s, Tommy Durnin caused consternation with a run down the heart of the Cavan rearguard. Ryan Burns was on hand for the lay off to finish to the roof of Gary O’Rourke’s net.

Not playing catch up any more, Ger Brennan’s side opened up and Conor Grimes quickly added their first point from play.

Cavan manager Raymond Galligan instructed his players to press high towards the latter end of the half and it paid off. In-form Lynch adding his third of the period for the lively visitors to make it 2-3 to 1-5 at the turn.

That strong finish to the opening period was the key to the start of the second half for Cavan. Louth went scoreless for over 16 minutes.

Cian Madden had a terrific second half, punishing Louth at every opportunity to build up a six point lead but such was the nature of the game, the Wee County would fight back in the finish.

On his home ground of Ardee St. Mary’s, Ciarán Keenan orchestrated things in the chaotic finale.

Finding the range twice, the forty yards man moved inside and set up Mulroy for his second goal.

Lynch and Madden steadied the Cavan ship as they held firm against late Mulroy and Tom Jackson efforts.

Scorers for Louth: Sam Mulroy 2-2 (1-0pen, 2f), Ryan Burns 1-0, Conor Grimes and Ciarán Keenan 0-2 each, Ciarán Downey and Tom Jackson 0-1.

Scorers for Cavan: Paddy Lynch 0-8 (5f, 1’45) James Smith and Gerard Smith 1-0 each, Cian Madden and Caoimhín O’Reilly (1m) 0-2 each, Cormac O’Reilly 0-1.

LOUTH: Niall McDonnell; Donal McKenny, Dermot Campbell, Peter Lynch; Leonard Grey, Anthony Williams, Conall McKeever; Conor Early, Tommy Durnin; Paul Mathews, Ciarán Keenan, Conor Grimes; Ryan Burns, Sam Mulroy, Ciarán Downey. Subs: Tom Jackson (0-01) for Mathews (44), Niall Sharkey for Grey (57), Conall McCaul for Early (62), Ciarán Murphy for Williams (62), Kyle McElroy for Burns (68).

CAVAN: Gary O’Rourke; , Jason McLoughlin, Killian Brady, Oisín Kiernan; Padraig Faulkner, Niall Carolan, Brian O’Connell; Killian Clarke, James Smith; Ciarán Brady, Cian Madden, Gerard Smith; Caoimhín O’Reilly, Paddy Lynch, Oisín Brady.

Subs: Cian Reilly for Kiernan (ht), Cormac O’Reilly (0-01) for C O’Reilly (ht), Conor Rehill for K Clarke (62), Ryan O’Neill for Madden (64).

Ref: Niall Cullen (Fermanagh)

Photo Credit: Ciaran Culligan Photography