Smith strikes late to give Cavan rivalry win

Cavan 3-12

Monaghan 1-12

By Paul Fitzpatrick at St Tiernach’s Park

A haul of 1-9 for Paddy Lynch helped Cavan tear up the script to record a famous Ulster Championship victory over Monaghan in Clones this afternoon.

Cavan played into a gale in the first half and were in good shape at the midway point, trailing by two, 0-7 to 0-5, with Paddy Lynch accounting for all five of the visitors’ scores.

Cavan kicked on after the resumption to draw level and then a brilliantly-taken goal from Padraig Faulkner propelled them into a three-point lead but the Farney men, who lost veteran midfielder Darren Hughes to a serious injury, came roaring back with a goal of their own from Michael Hamill to ensure a nervy finish.

But Cavan came up trumps when Gerry Smith blasted past Beggan and then, in the dying seconds, as Monaghan pushed up, Ciaran Brady sent a long ball to Lynch who found the empty net to seal a memorable victory.

Cavan’s six-point win was the biggest margin between the teams in over 40 years and marked a third successive championship win over the neighbours.