Cavan slip to first NFL defeat

NFL Division 4 round 5

Cavan 1-7

Tipperary 1-11

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

Cavan slipped to their first defeat in Division 4 of the National League with this home loss against Tipperary at a blustery Kingspan Breffni.

Down by a point at half-time having played into a gale, Cavan looked to be in a strong position but Tipperary, while riding their luck at times, managed the second half very well and deserved their victory.

Cavan played against a very strong wind in the first half and trailed for most of it but a great goal from Caoimhin O’Reilly on the stroke of half-time meant that Mickey Graham’s side will have been very happy going in just a point down at the halfway stage trailing by a point, 1-5 to 1-4.

Tipperary opened the scoring with a free from Conor Sweeney, who was being picked up by fellow 2020 All-Star Padraig Faulkner, before Cavan levelled through O’Reilly, who fisted over after a good pass from Oisin Kiernan.

The wind was making shooting difficult for Cavan. Tipperary set up defensively and looked to utilise long, direct kick-passes to Sweeney and Cavan struggled to break them down for long spells, the breeze meaning they needed to find a clear pocket of space to shoot – and there was very little of that.

A super point from Mark Russell edged Tipp in front before they lost wing-forward Bill Maher to the sin bin. In that 10-minute period, however, Cavan failed to capitalise.

A Sean O’Connor score opened a two-point gap. Cavan pulled one back through Gerry Smith, after good work from James Smith and Jason McLoughlin, and the latter turned finisher with a well-taken point after Gearoid McKiernan intercepted.

But a great effort from Kerry native Teddy Doyle made it 0-4 to 0-3 just as Maher returned to the fray and Tipp extended their lead when sloppy Cavan defending allowed them to slice through the centre, Robbie Kiely, Maher and Mikey O’Shea involved in the move which was finished emphatically to the roof of the net by Sweeney on 22 minutes.

Cavan dominated possession for the remainder of the first half but were frustrated by a well-organised Tipp defence. An excellent Patrick Lynch free from the left wing cut the gap to four – and then came the hosts’ goal when a Kiernan pass created the chance and O’Reilly did brilliantly to side-step a couple of challenges and find the bottom corner.

However, if the home fans were expecting a procession with the wind after the break, they were to be left sorely disappointed as Tipp kept the scoreboard ticking while Cavan kicked a succession of wides and squandered no less than five goal chances.

Kevin Fahey and Maher linked up to release Russell for Tipp’s first score of the second half. McKiernan and Sweeney traded frees after Faulkner was unlucky to see a shot hit the upright.

Cavan rattled the woodwork again when a long ball from Gerry Smith was palmed on to the bar by Lynch. At the other end, Kennedy slotted over a free and when Sweeney added a mark after a clever Maher pass, Tipp were four up, 1-9 to 1-5.

McKiernan found himself through on goal but his shot was tame as Cavan’s frustration grew.

Lynch converted a free before Cavan carved out another one on one, this time James Smith denied by an outstanding Michael O’Reilly save.

Sweeney (free) registered again and when Jack Kennedy punished loose marking, it was a five-point game. Cavan had another goal chance but over-played it as they bombarded the Tipp goal in the dying minutes but the 2020 Munster champions held firm.

Late on, another long ball fell to sub Killian Clarke but his palmed effort came off the face of the crossbar and was cleared. Tipp continued to deal well with the onslaught and managed the game well to secure a four-point win which catapults them firmly into contention for promotion.

Tipperary have now picked up three competitive wins at Kingspan Breffni since 2009.

Cavan: Raymond Galligan, Evan Finnegan, Padraig Faulkner, Killian Brady, Jason McLoughlin (0-1), Conor Moynagh, Oisin Kiernan, James Smith, Michael Argue, Gerard Smith (0-1), Gearoid McKiernan (0-2f), Cian Madden, Caoimhin O’Reilly (1-1), Patrick Lynch (0-2f), Chris Conroy

Subs: Killian Clarke for Argue (43 mins), Thomas Edward Donohoe for Conroy (50), Luke Fortune for Finnegan (54), Cormac O’Reilly for C O’Reilly (60), Stephen Smith for K Brady (66)

Tipperary: Michael O’Reilly, Shane O’Connell, Jimmy Feehan, Jack Harney, Kevin Fahey, Colm O’Shaughnessy, Robbie Kiely, Conal Kennedy, Mark Russell (0-2), Bill Maher, Jack Kennedy (0-2, 1f), Teddy Doyle (0-1), Mickey O’Shea, Conor Sweeney (1-4, 3f, 1m), Sean O’Connor (0-2, 1f)

Subs: Stephen Quirke for Russell (50 mins), Cathal Deely for O’Connor (54), Willie Eviston for Harney (60), 24 for 13 65, Jason Lonergan for Kennedy (69)

Ref: Kieran Eannetta (Tyrone)