Gaels hold on for priceless one-point win

SFC round 3

Cavan Gaels 2-7

Laragh United 1-9

Paul Fitzpatrick at Kingspan Breffni

A late fisted point from Paul Graham proved the difference as Cavan Gaels edged Laragh United in this hard-fought, error-strewn round three clash at a rain-sodden Kingspan Breffni.

This was a full-blooded encounter in which the Gaels, despite some truly awful shooting, ground it out. In a game of fine margins, it came down to a few mistakes in the closing stages as Laragh desperately sought an equaliser - but Jason O’Reilly’s men defended bravely and held on for a crucial victory.

While they’re not the force of old, there is no doubting the Terry Coyle Park side’s heart and stomach for the battle and those qualities came to the fore here as despite what was not a good performance – albeit, conditions were dreadful – they got their noses in front approaching the finish line and stayed there.

This game was billed as a do-or-die tussle for both sets of combatants and with good reason. For the first time in God knows how long, Cavan Gaels lost their opening two matches in this championship while Laragh, after a great start against Lavey, were trounced by 17 points by Crosserlough in round two.

The relative merits of both sides can partly be judged by the fact that between them, they have two current county panellists. Gearoid McKiernan, by far the leading performer for the Gaels in the last two years, hasn’t featured in this campaign but, with his county teammate Jack McKenna’s name scratched from the team sheet before throw-in, it wasn’t as if Laragh were at full strength either.

Although it cleared before the match started, a prolonged heavy shower beforehand left underfoot conditions treacherous and as the ball was thrown up, it began to bucket down – and it kept bucketing.

The Gaels held a four-point lead at the end of the first half, thanks in no small part to the Shehu brothers, who were outstanding, and a fisted goal on the stroke of half-time from Evaan Fortune.

The town side dominated the opening 17 minutes and looked like they might run away with it but Laragh dug in and chiselled out four points to come roaring back within one.

Emmanuel Shehu took the initiative after a laboured (or patient, depending how you look at it) build-up to fling over an excellent opening score but after Ciaran Cooney ran at the Gaels defence, Paul Smith equalised from a free.

The Gaels dominated the next 15 minutes or so. A Jack Tully free was followed by the first goal of the contest, Emmanual Shehu forcing a turnover and Paul O’Connor unselfishly laying off for Levi Murphy, who finished well.

Tully did well to keep in play a wayward Luke Molloy shot and sent over a lovely point to make it 1-3 to 0-1 but Laragh responded well.

Paul Smith sent over two good frees, sandwiched between two Fergal McKenna points, the second a belter, and when Smith fired over a terrific effort, it was a one-point game.

But Laragh’s chances were dealt a near-fatal blow when they failed to deal with a high ball - a miscued shot from Keenan Donohoe – and Evaan Fortune rose to fist home. It was a sucker-punch in the last play of the half and although they recovered, there was always the sense it would prove costly.

Both sides fluffed clear goal chances early in the second half but Laragh were finally getting the ball to stick up front and put together 1-2 unanswered, a Smith free, a 45 from goalkeeper Fergal O’Rourke and then a well-finished goal from Eoin Donohoe after Paddy Rudden started a good move and Jason Walsh did well.

The Gaels’ response was exemplary as Evaan Fortune launched over the best point of the game and Paul O’Connor added a free.

Laragh were pinned back for long periods thereafter, looking jittery, but the Gaels failed to punish them on the scoreboard and Laragh drew level with a mark from Paddy Rudden.

The closing stages were frantic – Laragh were a bag of nerves, the Gaels couldn’t finish. From one misplaced pass, the Gaels carved out a goal chance but Jack Tully took the safe option of a point.

Paul Smith bombed over a huge free from the left wing to tie the game but Paul Graham was loitering at the back post and did very well to fist over what proved to be the winning score.

Four additional minutes were called, during which there was a relatively lengthy delay for a blood sub and, in a separate incident, a second yellow card for Levi Murphy. Just 40 seconds extra were added on but, in reality, it probably mattered little.

Cavan Gaels had weathered the storm, in every sense, and head into round four with the dream still alive – but just about.

Cavan Gaels: Patrick Murphy, Andy Graham, John Fortune, Favour Shehu, Levi Murphy, Niall Murray, Emmanuel Shehu, Luke Molloy, Evaan Fortune, Paul Graham, Padraig Sexton, Luke Fortune, Paul O’Connor, Keenan Donohoe, Jack Tully

Subs: Niall Gurhy for N Murray (8, inj.), Declan Meehan for K Donohoe (47), Daniel Graham for A Graham (62)

Laragh United: Fergal O’Rourke, Sean Tierney, Eoin Donohoe, Stephen Cooney, Ciaran Cooney, Jason Walsh, James Tully, Fergal McKenna, Shane O’Rourke, Evan Kelly, Paul Smith, Evan Brady, Jamie Cooney, Patrick Rudden, Pauric O’Reilly

Subs: Dylan Adams for J Cooney (ht), Jack McKenna for E Brady (55), Niall Fitzpatrick for F McKenna (temp, 62, reversed 63)

Ref: Barry McMenamin