McKiernan inspires Gaels to big win in quarter-final

Gaels ease into last four

Cavan Gaels 2-19

Ramor United 0-15

Cavan Gaels sent out a warning shot to the other pretenders for the 2020 Cavan SFC title as they dismantled a disappointing Ramor United at Kingspan Breffni last night.

The Virginia men had beaten the Gaels by nine points in the group stage two weeks ago but there was a total role reversal here, with a 19-point turnaround seeing the Terry Coyle Park men run out 10-point winners.

Key to their success was the form of county man Gearoid McKiernan, who had an outstanding match and his best to date since switching from Swanlinbar.

Ramor’s Brían O’Connell opened the scoring and set the tone for a nip and tuck opening quarter.

James Brady, Paul O’Connor, Simon Cadden and Darragh Sexton were all on the mark before McKiernan kicked his first to tie the teams at 0-3 apiece on five minutes.

McKiernan would send over four more first-half points as Cavan Gaels went in at half-time leading by 0-10 to 0-6 and a goal from Luke Molloy on the resumption had them firmly in the driving seat.

And when Robert Maloney-Derham goaled, it was 2-10 to 0-8 just six minutes into the half. From there, the Gaels closed it out, with sub Sean Johnston landing 0-4 (two frees) in the closing stages.

Next up today in the Senior Championship is Castlerahan v Lavey (6.30pm), with Mullahoran vs Kingscourt and Crosserlough vs Gowna taking place tomorrow.

Meanwhile, there were wins for Denn and Mountnugent last night in the Junior Championship against Munterconnaught and Drumalee respectively.

See this week’s print issue for full reports on all games.