Cavan concede record score as Tyrone deliver semi-final hammering
Tyrone 5-18
Cavan 2-17
Paul Fitzpatrick
at St Tiernach’s Park
While Tyrone were widely-fancied – outside of Cavan – to get the job done in the replay of this Ulster SFC semi-final, nobody thought they would demolish Terry Hyland’s side in such a clinical and impressive fashion as they did.
Before a crowd of 20,200, Cavan started well, with David Givney hooking over the first point. The teams were level at 0-5 apiece following Cavan points from Cian Mackey – probably the Blues’ best on the day – Killian Clarke and Martin Reilly.
But Tyrone tore straight through the middle of the Breffni defence, with Man of the Match Peter Harte sending a rocket to the roof of the net and then adding another, after Tiernan McCann bore down on goal, in a deadly 90-second spell.
Cavan responded well to go in just seven down at the break but totally capitulated in the third quarter. Tyrone were dominant in practically every position and could have had another four or five goals.
With 20 minutes to go, Cavan fans were streaming out through the exit. Cavan added two goals (from Mackey and sub Jack Brady) and actually tacked on 1-7 in final dozen minutes but, in the end, they were flattered to lose by 10.
Seanie Johnston didn’t feature, with Hyland stating that the decision was “tactical”. The challenge for Cavan now is to regroup ahead of their qualifier clash against lowly Carlow next Saturday.
The manner of this loss – Cavan have never conceded such a total in championship before – is a major setback, coming off the back of gaining promotion to Division 1 in the league and comfortably beating Armagh in the championship opener.
Tyrone: N Morgan (0-01, f), A McCrory, R McNamee, C McCarron, T McCann, J McMahon (0-01), R McNabb, C Cavanagh, M Donnelly (0-03), C McShane (0-02), P Harte (2-04, 0-1f), N Sludden (0-01), C McAliskey (1-02, 0-1f), S Cavanagh (0-02), R O’Neill.
Subs: R Brennan (1-00) for McNabb, D McCurry for C Cavanagh, J Munroe (0-01) for McShane, M Bradley (1-01) for O’Neill, P Hampsey for McNamee, B Tierney for Sludden
Cavan: R Galligan (0-01, ’45), K Brady, R Dunne, J McEnroe, F Flanagan (0-01), C Moynagh (0-02), N Murray, T Corr, K Clarke (0-01), D McVeety, G McKiernan (0-07, 4f), M Reilly (0-01), D Givney (0-01), C Mackey (1-03), E Keating.
Subs: J Brady (1-00) for Givney, J McLoughlin for McEnroe, C Brady for K Brady, P Faulkner for Murray, M Argue for Reilly, G Smith for McVeety
Referee: D Coldrick (Meath).