Hurlers secure major scalp with win over Wicklow

NHL Division 3

Cavan 2-20

Wicklow 1-18

Kevin Óg Carney at Kingspan Breffni

Cavan’s flagship hurling squad notched one of the county’s most notable victories ever on Sunday last at Kingspan Breffni by shocking high-flying NHL Division Three rivals Wicklow.

Going into the tie last weekend, Cavan sported just two points from three outings but their gritty and well-deserved victory over the Garden County has made the retention of the squad’s place in the third tier for 2026 a realistic possibility with two rounds left to play. Incredibly, four more points and the prospect of promotion would loom large.

Wicklow travelled to Kingspan Breffni last weekend looking for their fourth victory from their fifth outing but after having a player dismissed in the 27th minute, the visitors saw their long-time lead gradually eaten away by a resurgent Cavan crew.

Despite the heroic efforts of the likes of Mattie Hynes at the rear and Liam O’Brien up front, Cavan looked ill at ease as they played catch-up for all of the first half and for the entirety of the opening 62 minutes until they gained parity.

Critically, after getting on level terms, the blues were to gain a degree of momentum which would prove just the ticket in propelling them over the finishing line.

In truth, Ollie Bellew’s men were fully deserving of the spoils and arguably ought to have won by a greater margin such was the array of chances they engineered which weren’t cashed in.

In contrast, hot match favourites Wicklow started the game by playing a swift, precise game of hurling, replete with a swagger and a self-assuredness as they clinically careered into a 0-5 to 0-0 lead inside the opening six minutes.

It looked as if the game was set to stick to the script but, slowly but surely, Cavan crept their way into the game. Not before the Leinstermen upholstered their early lead though by forging a 0-8 to 0-2 advantage with 19 minutes on the clock.

Despite under consistent pressure in the opening quarter and beyond, Cavan again showed levels of composure and self-belief which has fairly reflected their improved status in the small ball game nationally.

Indeed, the blues were the first team to chisel out a goal chance when the impressive Jack Barry latched onto a long delivery by the equally switched-on Canice Maher in the 11th minute but his shot for goal from an acute angle was batted to safety by visiting ‘keeper McNally.

Cavan continued to find their feet and the Wicklow defence frantically deflected a goal bound shot from Eamon Óg McAllister in the 13th minute.

A four point unanswered tally by sharpshooter Liam O’Brien halved Cavan’s deficit (0-4 to 0-8) before Wicklow full-back Tommy Collins was red-carded after an incident which saw Cavan’s Thomas Leonard left prostrate on the ground.

Cavan continued to look the more threatening going forward as they sought to eat into Wicklow’s 0-9 to 0-6 interval lead and after yet another O’Brien point, Eamon Óg McAllister was denied a goal in the 40th minute after his side produced another diving save by McNally after he was set up by a Sean Keating and O’Brien interchange.

Wicklow held firm though and back-to-back points left Cavan trailing by 0-8 to 0-13 with 20 minutes of actual time remaining.

A great save by Cavan netminder Gallagher in the 52nd minute kept the tie simmering and Wicklow must have fancied their chances of holding out when sporting a five point lead with the finishing post in sight.

With sub. Nicky Kenny getting on a lot of ball, Cavan continued to force the pace and after a great team move in the 56th minute, top scorer O’Brien flashed the ball to the Wicklow net to put the minimum between the sides.

Cavan remained on the front foot and when Sean Keating split the posts (62), the sides were level (1-14 to 0-17) for the first time in the match.

Another free by Seanie Germaine edged the visitors ahead yet again seconds later but unanswered points from messrs. Dillon Mulligan, McAllister and Nicky Kenny preceded a vital goal notched by Mulligan in the 68th minute after O’Brien and Mark Moffett added some of the finishing touches to a flowing move which emanated from the backline.

The long-term leaders goaled through Luke Evans in the 70th minute mark which made for a tension filled run in for all concerned. Cavan finished the stronger though and a point from the superb Kenny/O’Brien axis bookended a wonderful team performance.

Cavan: Conor Gallagher; Shane Briody, Enda Shalvey, Mattie Hynes; Dillon Mulligan (1-2), Stephen Sheridan, Daniel Martin; Jack McGuinness, Jack Barry (0-1); Liam O'Brien (1-11, 9f), Eamon Óg McAllister (0-1), Tom Leonard; Canice Maher, Rian Delaney, Sean Keating (0-2).

Subs; Nicky Kenny (0-3) for T Leonard; Mark Moffett for R Delaney; Dylan McKeever for D Martin; Darragh Boyle for J McGuinness; James Smith for J Barry.

Wicklow: Conor McNally; Ian Clancy, Tommy Collins, Ben Kearney; Emmett Blanchfield, Padraig Doran, Sam O'Dowd; Luke Evans (0-2), John Toomey (0-2); Tomas Mulcrony (0-1), David Maloney (0-1), Ronan McMahon (0-1); Seanie Germaine (0-7, 3f, 65), Padraig Doyle (0-1), Jack Doyle.

Subs; Andrew Kavanagh (0-3) for D Maloney; Warren Kavanagh (0-1) for R McMahon; Eoin McCormack for P Doyle; Dan Redmond for T Mulcrony; James McGing for S O’Dowd.

Ref: A Tierney (Tipperary)