Donohoe the hero as Cavan escape Tullamore with narrow win

NFL Division 2, round 6

Cavan 2-20

Offaly 3-15

Paul Fitzpatrick at O’Connor Park

A sensational late two-pointer from Ryan Donohoe spared Cavan’s blushes as the Breffnimen salvaged a win against bottom side Offaly at a blustery O’Connor Park, Tullamore.

Cavan played against a strong wind in the first half and were in a strong position as they trailed by two at half-time. The Faithful were the better team in the second half, however, and despite a fortuitous Cavan goal – both the visitors’ majors were point efforts which dropped into the top corner of the net – Offaly led by a point with three minutes left.

However, Donohoe stepped up with a long-range strike; Offaly players and supporters protested bitterly and the umpires seemed unsure but referee Anthony Nolan eventually awarded it and, with the final kick of the ball, Emmanuel Shehu added a single to wrap up a priceless win for Dermot McCabe’s men.

In rattling off 1-5, Gowna’s Donohoe was the hero of the hour and managed the impressive feat of scoring a goal, a two-pointer and a one-pointer, which has recently been dubbed “a tricolour”.

Offaly began with a clear shoot-on-sight policy and registered an early wide but within a minute, the visitors were on the board when Oisin Brady combined with Paddy Lynch before taking the return pass and pointing off his left foot.

Offaly responded quickly with a 50-metre free from Dylan Hyland and the sides were level after Ciaran Brady finished off the left from a Dara McVeety lay-off to make it 0-2 apiece.

Cavan then struck the first major of the game in fortunate fashion. After excellent work from Eoin Clarke – who played well, first as a blood sub and later as a full replacement - deep in defence sparked the move, Oisin Brady beat his man and shot for a point but the ball dropped into the top corner of the net to put Cavan 1-2 to 0-2 ahead.

Offaly hit back with a goal of their own when Sean Conway’s shot dropped short and Aaron Leavy reacted quickest, getting a fist to the ball with his back to goal and directing it into the roof of the net to level matters.

The home side pushed ahead when Hyland curled over a two-pointer from just on the edge of the arc but Ryan Donohoe quickly responded with a fisted point to keep Cavan in touch. Hyland added a 45 and Darragh Flynn split the posts after good work from Hayes to stretch Offaly’s lead.

A fine score from Ciaran Murphy extended the gap before Cavan steadied themselves through Gearoid McKiernan, operating between midfield and full-forward, who won possession out in front and turned sharply to slot over. Tiarnan Madden added another after a powerful run out of defence from Jason McLoughlin while Oisin Brady burst through the centre to clip over and reduce the deficit.

Cavan almost carved out a goal before the break when Ciaran Brady, Lynch and Donohoe combined, but Lynch’s effort was well saved by impressive Offaly defender Diarmuid Egan. Peter Corrigan did manage a point late in the half as Cavan trailed narrowly at the interval after battling well against the wind.

Cavan, trading at 1/33 in running at half-time, looked to be in a tremendous position at the midway point but the hosts made a decisive move early in the second period. Shane Tierney’s clever sidestep opened the Cavan defence and his pass found Diarmuid Egan, who blasted a superb finish to the net to push Offaly clear.

McVeety briefly lifted Cavan with a two-pointer but Offaly continued to control large spells, Hyland and Hayes adding further points. Playing against the elements seemed to suit Offaly, who held possession for long periods and were able to pick out short passes and unlock the Cavan defence.

With subs Tierney and Marcas Dalton going well, Offaly were five up with 17 minutes remaining before Cavan’s second goal again arrived in lucky fashion when Donohoe’s point attempt dropped under the crossbar and into the net.

The contest ebbed and flowed entering the closing stages. For a side who had been well beaten in their previous five matches, Offaly’s resilience was notable. Keith O’Neill produced two fine scores from the outside of the boot either side of a Lynch effort from just inside the arc, with Donohoe treading over a two-pointer from a congested area to make it 2-12 to 2-10.

Tiarnan Madden followed with a two-pointer to bring the sides level before Ciaran Brady edged the Breffnimen ahead with a fisted effort after a swift counter-attack involving McKiernan.

Offaly – who only registered three wides to Cavan’s five but dropped some costly efforts short – needed something big. They struck the crossbar from one gilt-edged chance but the break they needed arrived with three minutes remaining when Jack McEvoy struck for their third goal, volleying to the net in a crowded goalmouth to leave the hosts two points in front and seemingly on course for what had looked an unlikely win.

Eoin Clarke surged forward to fist over for Cavan but Hayes replied for Offaly – and the drama was far from over.

Midfielder Donohoe, in the final minute, delivered the decisive moment, landing a massive two-pointer from long range which was eventually waved over despite fierce protests from the Offaly players and supporters, some of whom made their feelings known to the officials after the match.

With the last kick of the game, substitute Shehu added a point from the left to seal a dramatic victory for the Breffni men, a win which, all things going as expected, should preserve their Division 2 and Sam Maguire status.

While Cavan rode their luck in a low-quality match played in very difficult conditions, their heart could not be questioned; in the end, they dug deep and found a way to dig it out. Job done – but questions linger ahead of a daunting trip to face a wounded Derry next weekend.

Cavan: Liam Brady; Jason McLoughlin, Brían O’Connell, Cormac Brady; Ryan Tobin, Conor Brady, Ciaran Brady (Arva, 0-2); Ryan Donohoe (1-5, 2 2pt), Gerard Smith; Tiarnan Madden (0-3, 2pt), Peter Corrigan (0-1), Oisin Brady (1-3); Dara McVeety (0-2, 2pt), Paddy Lynch (0-1), Gearoid McKiernan (0-1)

Subs: Eoin Clarke for Brían O’Connell (temp, 8, revered 12), Emmanuel Shehu (0-1) for P Corrigan (48), Eoin Clarke (0-1) for R Tobin (49), Cian Shekleton for O Brady (55), Ciaran Brady (Corofin) for G Smith (61).

Offaly: Conor Melia; Shane O’Toole-Greene, David Dempsey, Conor Dunican; Cormac Egan, Diarmuid Egan (1-0), Rory Egan; Jack McEvoy (1-0), Aaron Leavy (1-0); Daire McDaid, Jordan Hayes (0-2), Keith O’Neill (0-2); Dylan Hyland (0-7, 2ptf, 2pt, 45), Ciaran Murphy (0-1), Darragh Flynn (0-3, 2pt)

Subs: Shane Tierney for C Murphy, Marcus Dalton for R Egan (both half-time), Niall Furlong for C Dunican (46), Harry Plunkett for D Flynn (57)