Published: Wednesday, 22nd April, 2009 12:10pm

Late Monaghan point snatches draw

Two points in the last three minutes saw Monaghan minors snatch a draw against Cavan following an engaging tussle last Thursday evening in a blustery Kingspan Breffni Park.

Having led by a point, 0-6 to 0-5, at the break, Cavan were the better team for long periods of the second half and were 10-8 up on the hom stretch before a a strong Farney side swooped to secure their third successive draw.

Monaghan opened the scoring just ten seconds in when Currin"s Jack McCarron - a son of former All Star Ray - pointed a free following a foul by Aidan Moran.

However, the hosts hit back on their next attack when Michael Brady and Patrick Rudden combined to set up marauding centre-back Conor Tierney, who fired over a great point on the run.

Nominal full-forward Kevin Tierney, who spent a lot of time operating in a much deeper position than the team sheet would have suggested, nudged Cavan in front after receiving a short free from the excellent Barry Reilly on the six minute mark.

With Turloc Mooney and Kilian Brady defending well, Cavan held Monaghan off for ten minutes before the reliable McCarron levelled matters with a neat left-footed point from 25 metres.

The same player made it 3-2 with a cracking point from distance three minutes later but Cavan came roaring back, with Barry Reilly curling in a fine point in the 21st minute before tacking on a free after good play from Michael Brady and Packie Leddy.

Leddy pushed Cavan two in front with a clever point four minutes before the break, creating space and slotting over expertly, but another McCarron score, this one from 40 metres, kept the visitors within touching distance.

The reliable Barry Reilly sent over another free to make it 0-6 to 0-4 in favour of Mickey Graham"s team and, as both sides exchanged wides, sub Aaron McCarey - who came into the match with a big reputation but was reasonably well-shackled by Killian Brady - made it 6-5 with the last kick of the half.

McCarey curled in a free at the start of the second half but this was cancelled by a similar Barry Reilly effort after a foul on the lively Conor Tierney.

Paddy McGuigan and sub Enda O"Reilly exchanged points to make it 0-8 apiece at the three-quarter stage but a stylish Barry Reilly point saw Cavan take the lead once again.

Christy Sheils, who impressed on his introduction, had a low shot at goal saved as Cavan looked to be well in control of the match and set to kick for home, with Reilly and Leddy sparkling around the middle.

Ballyhaise lad Tierney drove over Cavan"s tenth point (interestingly the third coming directly from short free-kicks from Reilly) after 55 minutes but Monaghan, urged on by manager Bernie Murray, soon began to press hard.

After two wides, dual star McCarey cut the gap in half with a free and the soccer player almost got in for a priceless goal only for Mullahoran player Killian Brady to pull off a spectacular block as McCarey headed for Sean Briody"s goal.

McCarron tied the match in injury time with a well-struck free but Cavan still had one final chance to grab the win.

Referee Leo Smyth, who it must be said made some bizarre decisions in favour of Cavan at times, awarded the hosts a dubious free after a foul on Kevin Tierney. However, the swirling wind dragged Packie Leddy"s effort off target and Monaghan survived with a point.

Cavan:

Sean Briody, Aidan Moran, Killian Brady, Darragh Sexton, Turloc Mooney Conor Tierney (0-1), Michael Brady, Barry Reilly (0-5, 2f), Jason McLoughlin, Packie Leddy (0-1), Emmet Fitzsimons, Fergal Flanagan, Jack Brady, Kevin Tierney (0-2), Patrick Rudden

SUBS: Enda O"Reilly (0-1), Christy Sheils

Monaghan:

Dean McDermott, Declan Burns, Pauric McGurk, Cathal Crowe, Ryan Courtney, Pauric Boyle, Eoghan Coyle, Stephen McElroy, Kieran Duffy, Pete Dooney, Daniel McKenna, Paddy McGuigan (0-1), Shane Coyle, James Kerr, Jack McCarron (0-6, 2f)

SUBS: Aaron McCarey (0-3, 2f)

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