Madden's wonder point seals return to Division 1
Cavan 0-17
Tipperary 2-10
Paul Fitzpatrick
at Kingspan Breffni
Cavan are back where they belong in the top flight after a thrilling win over Tipperary in this promotion-decider before 6,500 fans at Kingspan Breffni.
Hero of the hour was Gowna man Conor Madden, who held his nerve and showed exquisite skill to drive over a brilliant left-footed winning point from long range in the fifth minute of injury time.
The Blues looked to be in major trouble when they trailed by four points entering the final quarter but a stirring finish sealed the deal.
A 13th minute penalty from Conor Sweeney – a repeat of the feat he pulled off last July at the same venue - was just the leg-up Tipp hoped for as they lead by two points after a first half in which they were the better side for the most part.
Tipp opened the scoring through midfielder Liam Casey three minutes in, the score coming off the Cavan kick-out which was a feature of the first half, Liam Kearns’s side dominating for long spells in that key battleground.
Cavan levelled through a Bryan Magee free and edged in front with another form the lively Caoimhin O’Reilly but then came the penalty – a high, hopeful ball aimed at Michael Quinlivan was batted down and Jimmy Feehan latched on to the break and was fouled.
Sweeney tucked it away stylishly and although Cavan pulled back another free from veteran Cian Mackey, the visitors were pressing the Cavan kick-out and hovering up the breaks when Blues goalkeeper Ray Galligan went long.
A neat score from Liam McGrath made it 1-3 to 0-3 on 18 minutes before defender Ciaran Brady hit back with an inspirational point from play for Cavan, who were by now enjoying more success on Even Comerford’s restarts but struggling to make it count on the scoreboard.
A huge effort from McGrath restored the three-point gap but Cavan had the final say of the first half when youngster O’Reilly, who made his senior debut against the same opposition last July, fisted over his team’s sixth of the afternoon.
The Premier opened the second half scoring through Josh Keane but Cavan landed two in a row from Magee (free) and a brilliant effort from McVeety, now sited close to goal.
And then came a huge talking point as Tipperary’s Casey was dismissed on a straight red card after tangling with Ciaran Brady. With the numerical advantage, Cavan slowly pushed on and by the 48th minute, points from Conor Bradley and McVeety had them level.
Tipp sub Liam Boland and Cavan goalkeeper Ray Galligan – with a 50-metre free – traded scores but the away side put some daylight between the teams when they conjured a sweeping move which McGrath finished by palming to the net.
And when Sweeney added another, they were four up and had one foot in the top flight.
However, with the industrious Martin Reilly to the fore, the Breffni men kept plugging away and they would win the final 20 minutes – including injury time – by five points to seal a memorable victory.
Bradley, McKiernan (two frees) and Mackey all pointed as, at the other end, Tipperary spurned a couple of glorious chances.
With time almost up, Sweeney nailed a free to nudge his team in front by 2-10 to 0-15 but Cavan dug deep and a McKiernan free and a late, late long range winner from sub Madden sealed their return to Division 1 in a dramatic finish.
On a day where perspiration rather than inspiration was key, Cavan had some top-class performances from the likes of Dara McVeety, Caoimhin O’Reilly and Martin Reilly, with subs Stephen Murray and Sean Johnston also doing well and, of course, the nerveless Madden
Cavan will meet old friends Roscommon in the league final next Sunday at Croke Park.
More to follow.
Scorers for Cavan: Gearoid McKiernan 0-3 (2f), Caoimhin O’Reilly 0-3, 2f, Dara McVeety 0-2, Conor Bradley 0-2, Bryan Magee 0-2f, Cian Mackey 0-2 (1f), Raymond Galligan 0-1f, Ciaran Brady 0-1, Conor Madden 0-1
Scorers for Tipperary: Liam McGrath 1-4 (2f), Conor Sweeney 1-1 (1-0 pen, 1f), Liam Casey 0-2, Steven O’Brien 0-1, Josh Keane 0-1, Liam Boland 0-1
Cavan: Raymond Galligan, Jason McLoughlin, Padraig Faulkner, Enda Flanagan, Martin Reilly, Ciaran Brady, Conor Moynagh, Gearoid McKiernan, Killian Clarke, Dara McVeety, Bryan Magee, Oisin Kiernan, Caoimhin O’Reilly, Cian Mackey, Conor Bradley
Subs: Adrian Cole for O’Reilly (45 mins), Sean Johnston for Flanagan (55), Stephen Murray for Moynagh (56), Niall Clerkin for Bradley (67), Conor Madden for Magee (69)
Tipperary: Ciaran Kenrick, Alan Campbell, Emmet Moloney, John Meagher, Bill Maher, Robbie Kiely, Jimmy Feehan, Steven O’Brien, Liam Casey, Josh Keane, Jack Kenedy, Brian Fox, Conor Sweeney, Michael Quinlivan, Liam McGrath
Subs: Kevin Fahey for Maher (27 mins), Liam Boland for Fahey (46), Kevin O’Halloran for Kennedy (65)
Ref: Fergal Kelly (Longford)