Published: Wednesday, 23rd December, 2009 5:00pm

Co Cavan's cup run continues

Co Cavan survived a late penalty miss to maintain their 100 per cent record in this year's Gordon West cup to beat Newry by a single point in Swellan Park on Saturday.

Cavan started the match very strongly with the forward eight putting serious pressure on the Newry defence, this hard work was soon rewarded when the pack drove over the line and Myles Reilly was in to give Cavan the first score, then Garreth Corrigan was unlucky to miss the difficult conversion.

Despite early dominance from the home side it was Newry who went into the break with a slender lead after turning over a Cavan scrum allowing their scrum-half to break from 30 metres out to run through and touch down under the posts, to which the extra two points were added from the kick and at half time it was 7-5 to the travelling Down men.

Cavan then took control in the second half with Johnny Jackson and man of the match Martin Reilly controlling the game along with the rest of the Cavan pack, this hard work was rewarded when Cavan were given a penalty 25 meters out which Corrigan slotted over to give Cavan a lead of just one point.

Newry responded by putting pressure on the Cavan line but the defence held firm until with only five minutes remaining Newry were awarded a penalty in front of the posts.

However, Cavan captain Robert Beattie was given an early Christmas present when the kick narrowly sailed wide. Cavan then saw out the remainder of the game in the Newry 22 to hold on to victory.

Cavan: G Corrigan, N McCann, S Ivers, S Tuilipotu, D Smith, C Crowe, A Trenier, T Tasola, R Beattie, J Jackson, G Browne, M O'Reilly, G Gillespie, P McCusker, M Reilly

Cavan 2nd XV 6 Newry 0

Cavan second fifteen made it 2 wins at Swellan Park against Newry with a hard fought victory in less than ideal conditions. A hard ground frost meant that the game was never going to be free flowing spectacle. However a large and experienced Cavan forward pack found early dominance and soon number 8 Shane McCormack was exploiting gaps and making huge gains with his trademark powerful running. And it was from one of these that Cavan put points on the board.

McCormack broke from the base of a scrum and was soon joined by his fellow forwards to drive the ball up the field into the opposition 22 where Newry were left with no choice but to infringe and the referee raised his hand for a Cavan penalty which captain Morgan Farrell gratefully accepted an easy three points. With both defences on top and some massive tackles coming in from Winston Morrison and Gerard Mulligan as well as the Newry back row, no more scores were added in the first 40 minutes.

The second half followed in pretty much the same pattern with both teams trading possession and big hits. Cavan then had a chance to double the lead early on and from a long way out Farrell put the ball between the sticks with the aid of a fortunate bounce of the bar.

Despite securing good ball from set plays, especially scrums were man of the match Francois Murray hooked most of the Newry ball along with all of his own, Newry seemed to dominate the closing stages in search of the win. The closest they came however was a penalty 5 meters from the line but Cavan's forwards held firm and when the ball was spread wide, Newry couldn't penetrate the solid centre partnership of James Loughnane and Seamus McDermott and full back Brain McCusker.

Cavan 2nd XV: B McCusker, B Reynolds, J Loughnane, S McDermott, J Pilgrim, E Brady, M Farrell, G Mulligan, F Murray, A Brady, P Keogh, W Morrison. A Pratt, K Tully, S McCormack. Subs used, V Fleming, A Geraghty, K Curran

Please note that Cavan will host their annual St Stephens Day charity match at Swellan Park at 2.30 on the 26th(obviously). All proceeds go to a worthy cause so please join us for what is always a day not to be missed.