Determined Cavan bounce back from Antrim defeat . . .

CAVAN 2-10

QUEEN'S 0-11

IT'S all down to mathematics as Cavan kept alive their hopes of a place in the semi-finals of the Dr McKenna Cup with victory over Queen's University in Group C by 2-10 to 0-11 at Kingspan Breffni Park on Saturday night last. The Breffnimen are currently leading the group two points clear of Monaghan, Antrim and Queen's. Cavan, Antrim and Queen's can all still qualify. However this is dependent on the outcome of the crucial meeting between Queen's University and Antrim in Casement Park last night (Wednesday).

  With Monaghan defeating Antrim on Sunday last, the winners of the Queen's v Antrim tie will have the same number of points as Cavan and it will all come down to score difference. At present, Cavan have a +7 advantage. With one of the semi-final spots going to the best second placed team from the three groups, the last four line-up will not be known until after the Down v UUJ game.

  Cavan needed to bounce back from their defeat by Antrim in Casement Park the previous Wednesday night and deservedly achieved a win against a Queen's side that only played in fits and starts.

Unpleasant conditions

  Both teams deserve plaudits for endeavouring to play in almost arctic conditions with heavy rain leaving the pitch treacherous. Despite the unpleasantness of the weather, Cavan quickly adapted much better to the conditions and were soon in control with an eighth minute goal from Jason Reilly, who shook off his marker to lead by 1-2 to 0-1, and points from Finbar Reilly and Mark McKeever, midfielder Justin Crozier getting Queen's lone score after seven minutes.

  Cavan had the opportunity of stretching their lead even further but a number of chances were missed and it was a further sixteen minutes before the next score from the home side was registered. There was an opportunity for a possible goal when Barry Watters long delivery came back off the crossbar and was scrambled to safety. Goalkeeper Kevin Kelly and Jason Reilly were injured during the exchanges but quickly recovered.

  James Clarke was brought into the attack in the seventeenth minute and minutes later the Killinkere player got on the scoreboard in an exchange with Micheal O'Rourke, Clarke had replaced the inexperienced Austin Fitzpatrick.

McKeever goal

  Clarke was again in the thick of the action two minutes later when his shot came back off the crossbar. Barry Watters, following up, saw his effort come back off the post.

 Sean Bourke kept Queen's in contention with a point in the 28th minute but Cavan finished the first-half on top scoring 1-3 without reply. Eddie Reilly and Michael Reilly (free) with a point each, was followed by Cavan's second goal from Mark McKeever in the 33rd minute, his shot bouncing off the goalkeeper's hands for a somewhat fortuitous score, for what looked like a match-winning lead of 2-5 to 0-3.

  When Finbar Reilly pointed a free for a 2-6 to 0-3 interval lead, it was difficult to see Queen's coming back from a nine point defecit.

  Both sides made changes at half-time with James Reilly taking over the goalkeeping role from James Carolan and James Grimley coming into the Queen's attack for Sean Bourke.

Big effort

  Queen's made a big effort in the early minutes of the second-half with points from Micheal O'Rourke and Charlie Vernon. Finbar Reilly and Paul McComiskey swapped frees but seven points still separated the teams sixteen minutes into the half. Michael Ward from Tyrone club (Beragh) came into the Queens attack and made an immediate impact scoring within four minutes of his introduction.

  Although James Clarke responded for Cavan, Queen's were having a good spell as Ward and Eddie Reilly exchanged further points, and Ward again was making his presence felt with another point after 58 minutes. Despite Ward's value to the attack, and another point from Conor McGinn with ten minutes remaining, Queen's still trailed by five points with some twelve minutes remaining.

  Cavan had their final score from Eddie Reilly in the 63rd minute to lead by six points. Although Queens had the final score from a Paul McComiskey free, but even two minutes of additional time failed to alter the course of the game.

Satisfied

  Cavan manager Donal Keogan was pleased with the team's performance given the conditions and especially after the defeat by Antrim the previous Wednesday night. He said his players worked hard and achieved a good result despite the elements. The Queen's management team of Aiden O'Rourke and Bernie Murray felt there were some positives to come out of the game for them but were always struggling in the conditions.

  The Cavan team management have still a number of options as they pursue their prospects of a play-off. Apart from the performance of the experienced players, among them Anthony Forde, Mark McKeever, Jason Reilly, Finbar Reilly and Eddie Reilly, the efforts of the younger players like Rory Dunne (Redhills) and David Rooney (Bailieborough) in the full-back line, John McCutcheon (Cootehill) and Barry Watters (Drung) in the half-back line, Lorcan Mulvey at midfield and Rory Donohoe and James Clarke in attack will provide the management with a number of decisions they have to make before the next game.

  Cavan – James Carolan; David Rooney, Rory Dunne, Martin Reilly (0-1); John McCutcheon, Anthony Forde, Barry Watters; Lorcan Mulvey, Mark McKeever (1-1); Austin Fitzpatrick, Rory Donohoe, Alan Clarke; Finbar O'Reilly (0-3), Eddie O'Reilly (0-3), Jason Reilly (1-0). Subs. James Clarke (0-2) for Austin Fitzpatrick (17), James Reilly for James Clarke (half-time), John McCabe for Alan Clarke (52), Damien O'Reilly for David Rooney (62), Declan Gaffney for Lorcan Mulvey (70).

  Queen's University – Kevin Kelly (Armagh); Niall Bogue (Fermanagh), Aidan McCrory (Tyrone), Hugh Gallagher (Tyrone); Paul Treanor (Tyrone), Paul Courtney (Armagh), Benny Martin (Tyrone); Justin Crozier (Antrim), 0-1, Charlie Vernon (Armagh); 0-1, Aidan Gallagher (Antrim), Conor McGinn (Down), 0-1, Sean Bourke (Antrim); 0-1, Paul McVey (Derry), Michael O'Rourke (Armagh), 0-2, Paul McComiskey (Down). 0-2 Subs. James Grimley (Armagh) for Sean Bourke (half-time), Michael Ward (Tyrone) (0-3) for Paul McVey (41), Luke Howard (Down) for Benny Martin (43), Ruari O'Neill (Antrim) for Aidan McCrory (53), Joe Ireland (Down) for Hugh Gallagher (63).

  Referee, Gerry McCarron, Monaghan.