Minors dig deep to advance to Ulster semi-final

Ulster MFC quarter-final

Cavan 1-13

Down 0-10

Damien Donohoe at Kingspan Breffni

Cavan’s minor footballers produced a storming second-half performance to overturn a three-point half-time deficit and secure their place in the semi-final of the Electric Ireland Ulster Minor Football Championship. Played at Kingspan Breffni, the hosts ran out 1-13 to 0-10 winners over a Down side who were left to rue a wasteful first half in front of goal.

Ed O’Hanlon’s side struggled to impose themselves in the opening half but found their rhythm in an impressive second period when they were reduced to 14. With the forward line not at their best, this win was built on defence with Danny Brady, Andrew Smart and Michael Smith leading the line. The boys in blue outscored the Mourne men by 1-10 to 0-4 after the break to seal a deserved six-point victory. The win sets up a last-four clash with Donegal this Saturday (7pm, Kingspan Breffni).

Down, playing with the aid of a stiff breeze in the first half and attacking the town end, were on top early but failed to make it count. They registered six wides before eventually opening their account midway through the half. Cavan, for their part, were patient and efficient when opportunities came, and they were the first to trouble the scoreboard.

Eight minutes in, Mark Reilly slotted over the game’s opening point after a composed move found a gap through the middle. Moments later, Nathan Quigley burst through on goal and forced a strong save from Down netminder Callum Travers. From the resulting 45, Cian McConnell curled over a superb point to make it 0-2 to 0-0.

Two misplaced Cavan kick-outs allowed Down to gain a foothold. Eoghan Convie, operating effectively at full-forward, claimed the game’s first two-pointer to get his side off the mark. Barely a minute later, Dylan Kelly intercepted a Cavan restart and swept over to nudge the visitors in front.

Referee James Lewis had already issued a warning regarding gum shields, and Down were twice reduced to 14 players in the first half due to infractions in that regard. Despite the disruption, they pushed on.

Cavan responded with a tidy point from John Donohoe, who exchanged passes with wing-back Michael Smith before fisting over to level the game again. But Down regrouped well. Convie added a free in first-half injury time, and Travers then boomed over a long-range ’45 to send the visitors in with a 0-6 to 0-3 half-time lead.

The stats told a mixed story: Down had dominated territory but recorded 13 wides in the opening 30 minutes. Cavan, though less prolific, had been more efficient, with just one wide, four efforts dropping short, and one gilt-edged goal chance missed, but still trailed by three at the break.

Down extended their advantage just two minutes into the second half, as Travers again showed his kicking prowess with a ’46 meter free to leave the visitors five points to the good.

But that would be as good as it got for the Mourne men, as Cavan found their spark and took control. Faolán Graham opened the second-half account for the Breffni side with a looping shot that hung in the air before dropping just inside the upright.

A turning point came when midfielder Sam Maguire was shown a second yellow card, a harsh decision, leaving Cavan down to 14 players. Rather than weakening their resolve, it ignited them.

A turnover in midfield led to a slick counter-attack, with Andrew Smart driving forward and releasing the ball to Jake Brady, who coolly slotted over. Cian McConnell, who had moved out from goals to an outfield role in the second half, added another score, this one a stylish left-footed effort from 30 metres. On the 17-minute mark, McConnell nailed a two point after a “three-up” foul by Down, punishing their indiscipline. With the sides now level, Cavan kept their foot on the gas.

The key score of the game came shortly after. Cavan turned over a Down attack near their own end line and transitioned swiftly. Senan Smith cut back along the end line and squared to Brady, who buried the ball into the net with his left foot. It was Cavan’s first lead since the 16th minute of the first half, and it came at a crucial moment, now 1-8 to 0-8 ahead.

There was no let-up from the Breffni men. Donagh Lynch added another point to stretch the lead, before McConnell punished Down again with his second two pointer since coming out the field.

Another free followed, this time Nathan Quigley tapping over a 13-metre effort after a Down player encroached during McConnell’s previous kick. The gap was now seven points and the result all but secured.

Brady wasn’t finished yet. He capped an excellent second half display with a brilliant point, rising highest to claim a lofted ball from the sky, shimmying onto his right foot, and hooking the ball between the posts.

In the closing stages, Cavan’s defensive resilience came to the fore. Andrew Smart threw his body on the line to make two crucial blocks, symbolising the hosts’ gritty determination to close out the game.

Down pulled back two late consolation scores, both from frees, one from Convie and the other from Paul McGovern following a quick pass from another “three-up” decision. But the late rally was far too little, too late.

Cavan march on to the Ulster semi-final, buoyed by the impact of their bench, positional flexibility, and a defensive effort that blunted Down's attacking threats in the second half who only managed to get seven shots off.

The turnaround after half-time was a credit to the management and players alike, as they now look ahead to a final-four meeting with Donegal, where they’ll hope to reproduce the second half level of intensity for longer periods.

Cavan: Cian McConnell (Butlersbridge, 0-6, 2tpf,1’45); Danny Brady (Laragh), Shea Brady (Arva), Andrew Smart (Ramor United); Michael Smith (Crosserlough), Harry McMullen (Cootehill), John Donohoe (0-1, Mullahoran); Sam Maguire (Templeport), Faolán Graham (Butlersbridge, 0-1); Mark Reilly (Denn, 0-1), Jake Brady (Gowna, 1-2), Cathal Smith (Lavey); Donagh Lynch (Cuchulainns, 0-1), Nathan Quigley (Denn, 0-1f), Dylan Brouder (Munterconnaught)

Subs: Rory Dolan (Templeport) for D Brouder, Kevin Heery (Templeport) for C Smith, Senan Smith (Denn) for M Reilly, Mark Mulvey (Knockbride) for N Quigley, Fintan Devin (Munterconnaught) for J Brady

Down: Callum Travers(0-4,2tpf); Conor Treanor, Bobby Magowan, Jack O’Mahony; Ross Austin, Danny McFerran, Joseph Kerr; Danny Doyle, Keelan Clerkin; Gavin Barry, Dylan Kelly(0-1), Tiarnan Foy; Ryan O’Hare, Eoghan Convie(0-4,2f,1tp), Sam Murdock. Paul McGovern(0-1) for S Murdock, Owen McHugh for D Kelly, John Joe O’Hare for T Foy, Gavin Barry for D McFerran

Ref: James Lewis (Fermanagh)