McKeogh kicks Mullahoran to opening round victory
Cavan SFC Report
Mullahoran 0-17
Cavan Gaels 0-12
Mullahoran made a winning start to this year’s Senior Football Championship as a dominant final quarter carried Pat Fallon’s side to a deserved five-point victory over Cavan Gaels on Friday evening.
The Dreadnoughts outscored their opponents by 0-9 to 0-1 from the 13th minute of the second half, turning a three-point deficit into a 0-17 to 0-12 victory. Cavan Gaels could count themselves fortunate to finish with a clean sheet, with Mullahoran creating four goal chances without taking any of them.
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Caolainn O'Reilly and Paul Graham contest at midfield. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 2 of 16
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Leon Smith protects the ball as Killian Brady challenges. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 4 of 16
Jack Tully comes away from a busy midfield in possession. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 5 of 16
Oisin Maguire keeps his eyes on the prize as the ball breaks loose in contact. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.lImage 6 of 16
Joshua Shehu takes on Cormac McKeogh. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 7 of 16
Cormac McKeogh's break is tracked by Emmanuel Shehu. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 8 of 16
Senan Sheils heads for goal as Leon Smith tracks his run. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 9 of 16
Senan Shiels is closely marked by Padraig Sexton. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 10 of 16
Killian Brady and Paul O'Connor tussle for possession in midfield. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 11 of 16
Aaron Plunkett finds himself surrounded by Jack Tully, Keenan Donohoe and Xabi McCaffrey. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 12 of 16
Keenan Donohoe wins the breaking ball as Darren Shiels closes in. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 13 of 16
Paul O'Connor comes under pressure from Caoilainn O'Reilly. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 14 of 16
Oisín Maguire looks for a way past Xabi McCaffrey. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 15 of 16
The kickout goes beyond the reach of Paul Graham, Emmanuel Shehu and Caolainn O'Reilly. Photo: Adrian Donohoe.Image 16 of 16
The contest featured some excellent two-point shooting, with Mullahoran’s Cormac McKeogh the standout exponent. He landed three from outside the arc – two in the first half and a monster effort in the second – to contribute six points. Padraig Sexton, Emmanuel Shehu and Paul O’Connor also raised orange flags for the Gaels.
Mullahoran controlled the opening quarter before the Gaels took charge in the second, Shehu’s two-pointer sending the teams in level at 0-7 apiece. Cavan Gaels then opened a three-point lead after the restart, but the warning signs were there as Mullahoran continued to find ways through their defence but failed to finish the opportunities.
Captain Killian Brady provided his customary leadership, McKeogh’s kicking was hugely influential, Daithí Sheils grew into the contest with an excellent second half and Tom Harten produced an impressive display in attack, finishing with four points beside his name.