Cavan fall short in extra time in rollercoaster All-Ireland clash

All-Ireland SFC R1

Westmeath 1-31

Cavan 3-21

AET

Cavan came up short in the first round of the All-Ireland SFC after a brave effort in a rollercoaster clash at a sold-out Cusack Park, Mullingar.

The Blues trailed by six points at half-time and by nine in the second half before, inspired by a goals from Paddy Lynch and Paddy Meade and a pair of two-pointers from debutant Conor Casey, they forced extra time.

Sub Dara McVeety bundled home a goal from a high Casey delivery as Cavan led by six points at half-time in extra time but wind-assisted Westmeath controlled the final 10 minutes, reeling off 1-7 unanswered to pick up a fifth successive championship victory before a massive home crowd.

Ronan Wallace's point sent the home team 0-15 to 0-6 ahead five minutes into the second half but Cavan began to eat into the lead, Lynch rattling the net after good work from Meade and Tiarnan Madden landing a two-point free and a single.

Casey's superb two-pointer forced extra time and although Westmeath drew blood early through subs John Heslin and Jack Duncan, Cavan took flight with McVeety's goal - and an orange flag from Lovett and a white one from Lynch (free) made it 3-21 to 0-24 with 10 minutes remaining.

But Cavan were careless in possession on the home stretch and Westmeath punished them, Senan Baker and Wallace landing early two-pointers and, after Heslin picked Casey's pocket, Kevin O'Sullivan running in the clinching goal as the rain pelted down in Mullingar.

While this marks a seventh defeat in nine matches this season, Cavan did show plenty of heart while the long injury list was a factor and certainly hindered their chances.

However, while Cavan struck for three goals, hit the woodwork on a number of occasions and caused Westmeath a lot of trouble at times, ultimately Mark McHugh's men were the better side over the 90 minutes; Cavan did not lead until the 76th minute of the match and were headed again in the 87th.

The draw for the next round takes place on Tuesday morning.

More to follow.