Cavan get U21 title defence underway with impressive win
Derry 0-12
Cavan 3-10
Damian McCarney
Cavan’s unbeaten run in the U21 Ulster Championship was extended to a breath-taking 10 games after they destroyed Derry on the Oakleafers' home patch last night.
If Tyrone had their spies at Celtic Park, ahead of Wednesday’s quarter-final, they would have left wondering where the weaknesses are in this Cavan outfit after such a formidable performance.
Cavan got off to the best possible start as Joe Dillon displayed his predatory instincts, pouncing on the rebound from Paul Graham’s shot, and blasted into net. The early strike, which coincided with an injury to Declan Brown that required the game to be stopped for seven minutes as the medics attended to him, conspired to undermine Derry’s hopes. Thankfully, Brown has since confirmed he's fine on Twitter.
Cavan’s lead stretched to five before Derry even registered their first point. Until the final whistle the lead was never less than four points; and after 60-plus minutes it had swollen to a deficit seven. In between, Cavan snatched a second goal through Enda Flanagan (34 minutes), and in the second half Paul Graham fisted home a third on 49 minutes.
While the forward line excelled through out, Cavan’s defence was arguably more impressive. Gerry Smith was the launchpad for countless counter attacks, while Conor Moynagh and Killian Clarke marshalled two dominant lines of backs, keeping the fancied Derry forwards down to just three points from play.
Glorious
Midfielder Michael Argue scored more than that by himself - four glorious points from distance. No doubt Argue’s performance delighted the senior team manager, Terry Hyland, for his Championship plans, as much as it did U21 boss, Peter Reilly. Argue’s endeavour from this man of the match performance saw him come off with cramp in the dying minutes.
The only downside from last night was substitute Nevin O’Donnell's ankle injury, which forced him to come off. Whether he will be available for selection in time for Tyrone’s arrival at Kingspan Breffni Park on Wednesday, March 19, 8pm, remains uncertain. What is certain is that Cavan will be buoyant mood as their search for a fourth U21 title in succession continues.