Cavan hurlers shock Longford with away victory

Cavan win in opening round of National Hurling League Division 3B

Kevin Óg Carney

Cavan’s senior hurlers got their NHL Division 3B campaign off to the best possible start with a come-from-behind first round win over Longford in a stirring clash in difficult conditions at Pearse Park, Longford.

The result had the anoraks among Cavan GAA die-hards scrambling to identify the last time, if ever, the blues had beaten the Leinstermen in a competitive senior hurling fixture.

Cavan’s victory was as merited as it was surprising. Under the stewardship of Antrim native Ollie Bellew, the Breffni boys settled after a stuttering start, to rally late in the day and grab both points on offer.

There were ominous signs for the Cavan camp early on that the script looked set to hold tight when the hosts raced into a 0-4 to 0-0 lead after just nine minutes but, with the wind in their faces, Cavan dug in and a James Smith opener (11) – after great link up play on the right wing – steadied the ship.

Cavan grew in confidence as the game progressed and in the 17th minute they carved out a gilt edged goal chance. Thomas Leonard however volleyed his shot wide of the Longford goal.

Then four minutes later, Cavan engineered another chance for a major but James Smith slipped just as he was about to pull the trigger from 16 metres and the chance was lost.

In the run in to the interval, Longford notched three points in a row with messrs. Mullane, Buckley, and Mulhern on target. Mark Moffett hit back with the final point of the half to leave Longford just 0-8 to 0-5 in front at the interval.

Despite the wind dying down, Cavan hit the ground running at the beginning of the second half, with top scorer Maher shooting 1-2 without reply; his goal arriving in the 42nd minute from a 22-metre free that he arrowed to the Longford net to put Cavan ahead for the first time, 1-7 to 0-8.

To their credit, Longford responded with gusto to Maher’s opportunist effort and they notched four unanswered points to go ahead by a brace with three Mullane points and a gem from Matthew Hawes.

Despite the glue-like pitch and slanting rain, the tempo of the game remained unremittingly high going into the final quarter. The small Cavan contingent were in full voice when a neat effort from sub Anthony Sheridan and a Maher free levelled the contest for Cavan with 56 minutes on the clock.

Back came the Murray and Mullane duo with a point apiece for the home side and the game looked like Longford’s to lose with the chequered flag in sight and added-on time on the horizon.

Cavan showed great heart though and self-belief too to remain focussed on the prize and as they sought to eat into their opponents’ 0-14 to 1-9 lead.

Maher made hay again from a free and a great Dominic Crudden block at the other end of the field were the stuff of inspiration as the hour mark came and went.

Cavan clearly sensed blood and an-over-the-shoulder point from Maher and a great Jack Barry point from under the stand allied to another Maher gem climaxed a superb collective display by the underdogs.

Longford: Pat Burke; Johnny Casey, Karl Murray, Iarlaith Dolan; Adam Quinn, Charles Flynn, Francie Dolan; Paddy Lynam, David Buckley (0-2, 2f); Dan Crossan, Ronan Sheahan, Reuben Murray (0-3); Cathal Mullane (0-7, 2f), Evan Tully, John Mulhern (0-1).

Subs: Matthew Hawes (0-1) for E Tully (inj); Daire Regan for F Dolan ; Liam Browne for R Sheahan; Rory Maher for D Crossan .

Cavan: Darren Sheridan; Shane Briody, Dominic Crudden, Liam Og Cooke; Jack Barry (0-1), Cillian Sheanon, Matthew Hynes; Dillon Mulligan (0-1), Caolan Kelly; James Smith (0-1), Canice Maher (1-8, 6f), Colum Sheanon; Mark Moffett (0-1), Diarmaid Carney, Thomas Leonard.

Subs: Conor Bannon for J Smith; Anthony Sheridan (0-1) for T Leonard; Sean Keating for C Kelly; Rian Delaney for M Moffett (inj).

Referee: Matthew Farrell (Roscommon).