Cavan ladies earn first-ever promotion to Division 1

Ladies NFL Division 2

Cavan 1-10

Tyrone 1-6

Aideen Coyle at Galbally Pearses GAC

After a two-week break period, Cavan travelled to take on third-place Tyrone on Sunday afternoon, sitting top of the table after an unbeaten run in their opening five games. Earlier results saw Tipperary overcome second-placed Donegal, meaning any outcome for Cavan in Galbally would secure back-to-back promotions with one game still to play against Westmeath next weekend.

A blistering second quarter from the Breffni ladies gave Emmet Daly’s side a five-point cushion at half-time. A crucial goal from Keri McCormack in the 23rd minute proved decisive, as Cavan held firm despite a below-par second-half display. Late points from substitutes Clara Lynch and Cara McCaffrey ensured the unbeaten run continued and, more significantly, confirmed Cavan’s place among the top tier for 2027.

Despite a two-week break, Cavan picked up where they left off straight from the throw-in, hitting four of the opening five scores in Galbally. Niamh Keenaghan fisted the opening score after a brilliant defence-cutting run from Sinead Greene. The hosts drew level a minute later through Elle McNamee before Cavan hit a hat-trick of points to push into a three-point lead.

Deirbhile Lynch finished a well-worked move with a point, followed by two close-range frees from Ella Sheridan after Tyrone breaches. Sorcha Gormley capitalised on a Cavan mistake in the backline with her only score of the game to close the gap before Tyrone were reduced to fourteen as McNamee was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Sinead Greene.

Cavan took full advantage of the numerical advantage, outscoring Tyrone 1-03 to 1-00 in this ten-minute timeframe to take a 1-07 to 1-02 lead at half-time. The excellent Keenaghan pointed her second after patient play from the Cavan attackers. However, with 17 minutes played, the sides were level for the second and final time as Aoife Horisk fired past Evelyn Baugh after a long ball from Aoibhinn McHugh cut open the Cavan backline.

To their full credit, the visitors never panicked and retook the lead moments later through an excellent Ella Sheridan strike before the table-toppers registered their only goal of the game. Keri McCormack palmed to the Tyrone net after a brilliant attacking move from Lynch, Aishling Sheridan, Micaela Fitzpatrick and debutant Ailbhe Kennedy. Ella Sheridan capitalised on another rule break from Tyrone to extend Cavan’s lead to five at the end of the opening half.

Tyrone captain Aoibhinn McHugh opened the second half’s scoring but her point was instantly cancelled out by an Aishling Sheridan effort at the other end. However, Cavan’s score was their last for nearly thirty minutes as Tyrone piled on the pressure and the Breffni ladies failed to reach the heights of previous outings in the second half.

The 2025 Intermediate champions closed the deficit to three midway through the second half with two points on the bounce from Niamh O’Neill and substitute Chloe McCaffrey. With pressure mounting, Cavan were dealt a blow as the industrious Micaela Fitzpatrick was shown a yellow card. Tyrone, continuing to build momentum, created a goal-scoring opportunity for substitute McCaffrey but the forward was superbly denied by the outstanding Evelyn Baugh.

Frustrations started to creep in for Darren McCann’s side, which led to two more sin-bins minutes apart for full forward Niamh O’Neill and Aoife Horisk, making the comeback an uphill battle for Tyrone, who were in need of a win to keep their promotion hopes alive.

The deficit was reduced to two with the game entering injury time as McHugh pointed, but this was as close as it would get as Cavan hit the closing two points of the contest. Substitute Clara Lynch raised a much-needed white flag, followed by a close-range free for Cara McCaffrey after another rule infringement from Tyrone to finish the game’s scoring.

Victory seals promotion for the Breffni ladies and a place in the Division Two final on April 11 with a game to spare. Their opponents are to be confirmed next weekend in the final group game. As it stands, Donegal, who take on bottom-of-the-table Wexford, are in pole position, with Mayo also in line to grab the second final spot.

Cavan: Evelyn Baugh; Ailbhe Kennedy, Sinead Kelly, Zara Fay; Sinead Greene, Christina Charters, Deirbhile Lynch 0-01; Micaela Fitzpatrick, Keri McCormack 1-00; Niamh Keenaghan 0-02, Ella Sheridan 0-04 (0-03f), Catherine Dolan; Muireann Cusack, Aishling Sheridan 0-01, Katie Mai Reilly.

Subs used: Ellie Brady for N Keenaghan, Shauna Lynch for D Lynch, Clara Lynch 0-01 for E Sheridan, Cara McCaffrey 0-01 (0-01f) for M Cusack.

Tyrone: Laura Kane; Jayne Lyons, Emma McCrossan, Eimear Quinn; Claire Canavan, Meabh Corrigan, Caitlin Campbell; Meabh Mallon, Aoibhinn McHugh 0-02; Elle McNamee 0-01, Aoife Horisk 1-00, Emma Jane Gervin; Niamh O’Neill 0-01 (0-01f), Sorcha Gormley 0-01, Emma Conroy.

Subs used: Slaine McCarroll for E Gervin, Chloe McCaffrey 0-01 for E Conroy.

See this week's print edition for full coverage.