Gutsy Cavan surprise Fermanagh

June 6th, 2009

Ulster SFC Quarter-Final:
Cavan 0-13 Fermanagh 1-9

A gutsy performance from Cavan saw them beat a surprisingly out of sorts Fermanagh team in damp conditions in Breffni Park on Saturday evening.

Tommy Carr’s men led for more or less the whole game, and although the match was of moderate quality, the home side deserved their win if only for Fermanagh’s lack of acoring ability.

Sean Johnston was easily Cavan’s best player, knocking over five points in a fine display, and crucially securing the home team’s last score with a cool effort which settled their nerves just as Fermanagh seemed on the brink of clawing their way back.

Cavan looked lively right from the off, and Sean Brady raced up the field and pointed right from the throw-in, only for it to be ruled out for over-carrying.

However, Cavan managed to get the first score of the game seconds later when Ray Cullivan did well to play in Johnston, who skillfully clipped the ball over with his left foot from an acute angle. The Cavan Gaels man added a free soon after to give the home side an early advantage.

Fermanagh were struggling, and their tactics were assisting Cavan as they persisted with playing centre-half-forward Ciaran McIlroy in defence. However, some quick thinking by Daryl Keenan from a free allowed corner-forward Eamon Maguire to fist the ball over the onrushing James Reilly and into the net to edge the Erne Men in front.

Malachy O’Rourke’s men weren’t clicking though and a superb 45′ from Cavan attacker Martin Reilly levelled things up. The former Burnley defender showed his exquisite technique as he powered the placed ball over.

Cavan’s scrappiness, coupled with Fermanagh’s tactics, meant there was very little open play. However, Cavan were at least trying to attack in numbers and Cian Mackey’s controlled effort pushed them back in front.

However, every time Cavan threatened to move away, Fermanagh countered and a fine score from Mark Little brought things level.

Sean Brady and Ryan Carson then exchanged good points, before another Johnston free pushed Cavan back in front.

Both sides then carved out a few clear-cut goal chances.

Johnston fisted against the post when he should have squared the ball and then Mackey saw his goalbound shot blocked. Seconds later, Maguire almost grabbed his second goal with another fisted effort.

With time running out on a disappointing half, Reilly showed his superb freetaking skills again with a controlled clip to put Cavan two clear, but just before things were blown up, Ryan McCluskey curled one over the bar, using the wind perfectly.

Fermanagh had an increased brightness after half-time but their freetaking curse remained, Daryl Keenan kicking an easy chance at levelling inexplicably wide, with Carson then placing an easy free into James Reilly’s hands .

Johnston punished Fermanagh for their slackness with a superb point of the highest class, weaving and dipping fluently in the corner, brushing off defenders before thumping confidently between the posts.

And then the accomplished Martin Reilly further punished Fermanagh’s lack of ruthlessness by putting over two pristine placed balls to put Cavan four points ahead.

The visitors seemed to be running out of ideas but Carson reacted well after some carnage around the Cavan goal to fire over to reduce the gap to a goal.

Cavan then structured a score which epitomised their strengths and showed exactly what Fermanagh were failing so to do. The brilliant Mackey broke from the half-back line and set up an attack which ended with the Castlerahan man running 70 yards to retake possession and slot over.

Fermanagh’s lack of a freetaker highlighted itself again on 58 minutes when the latest to step up, Maguire, pushed it wide from 30 yards. They finally converted seconds later when Mark Little put one over and then Carson tapped one from the 13m line to reduce the gap to just two.

Cavan had been relinquishing a lot of possession and an edginess seemed to be entering the young team’s game as the finish line loomed. Fermanagh, for all their weaknesses, fed off it and despite another free that was left short by Little, substitute Barry Owens managed to get a fist to it and put the minimum in it.

But at the testy moment, class told in the form of Johnston. He picked up possession in the left corner and placed a superb ball over the bar to ease Cavan fears.

Little added a free just before the final whistle, but it was far too late for a Fermanagh team who simply hadn’t turned up.

Scorers for Cavan: S Johnston 0-5 (2f), M Reilly 0-4 (3f, 1 45′) C Mackey 0-2, S Brady 0-2

Scorers for Fermanagh: E Maguire 1-0, M Little 0-3 (2f), R Carson 0-3 (1f), R Keenan 0-1 (1f) R McCluskey 0-1, B Owens 0-1.

Cavan: J Reilly; M Hannon, D Sheridan, M Brides; J McCutcheon, E Keating, P O’Reilly; N Walsh, C Galligan; S Brady, R Flanagan, C Mackey; S Johnston, R Cullivan, M Reilly.

Substitutes: Rory Dunne, David Gibney, Larry Reilly.

Fermanagh: C Breen; N Bogue, S Lyons, H Brady, R McCluskey, S McDermott, T McElroy, M McGrath, J Sherry, R Keenan, C McElroy, M Little, D Keenan, R Carson, E Maguire.

Substitutes: Peter Sherry, Mark Murphy, Barry Owens.

Referee: Rory Hickey (Clare)

– Video: Tommy Carr wins his first game with Cavan in the Ulster SFC
– Video: Malachy O’Rourke after defeat in Breffni
– Video: Martin Reilly proved a point to Cavan fans
– Video: Ray Cullivan on Cavan’s semi-final chances
– Photo Gallery: Cavan v Fermanagh USFC