Down U-21s unable to halt Cavan’s treble bid

10 April 2013

CAVAN’S aspirations of claiming three Ulster U-21 titles in a row are very much alive after they easily overcame a hapless Down outfit at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh last Wednesday night.

Cavan were by far the better team as they outmanoeuvred their opponents at every turn. Down were simply outclassed and had little response to what was thrown at them.

The winners’ cause was helped along by a man of the match performance from midfielder Michael Argue while defender Darragh McVitty’s boundless energy reserves spurred his team on no end.

The seal on the victory was made at the start of the second half when Paul O’Connor blasted home the game’s only goal. This major underlined his team’s total dominance against a Down team who were totally overrun in every department.

However, Cavan did take their foot off the gas in the second half for a period and despite going ten points clear one minute into the half, they only pointed another three times for the remainder of the game. One key aspect of the duel was the fact that the Cavan defence neutralised the impact of Down full forward Danny Savage. Savage was kept relatively quiet and this really impeded his team’s scoring capabilities.

Cavan started well and they were soon three up after seven minutes. Captain Fergal Flanagan, Jack Brady and Michael Argue all pointed.

Down’s defence fouled too much in the opening half and the trusty boot of Enda O’Reilly punished them from free kicks.

The Mournemen opened their account on seven minutes through a Danny Savage free.

Despite playing second fiddle Down did manage to create a very good goal chance. Jerome Johnston sent in a long searching ball which Michael Monan collected. Monan shot from close range but Cavan keeper Gilsenan got down low to save.

On 22 minutes Cavan were 0-7 to 0-2 in front. Further points from O’Reilly and Jack Brady gave them a seven point interval lead.

Paul O’Connor’s goal just after the restart finished the game off. However, Down did attempt to muster an improvement in their lot. Gerard McGovern came in at full back and made a world of difference. Two scores from Savage and one from Glenn’s Matty Bagnall signalled a potential comeback, but Cavan soon got back to grips with the game and cantered home. Enda O’Reilly landed a huge effort from the sideline which made it 1-10 to 0-5 in Cavan’s favour. O’Reilly then scored again before Argue hit the Breffni Blue’s last of the night.

Down had wilted by this stage and in the last few minutes Longstone’s Michael Hughes received his marching orders.

Cavan: C. Gilsenan (0-1 ‘45), J. McLoughlin, K. Clarke, C. Brady, D. McVitty, D. Sexton, F. Flanagan (0-1), B. Sankey, M. Argue (0-2), G. Smith, C. Conroy, T. Mooney (0-1), E. O’Reilly (0-5, 4f), P. O’Connor (1-0), J. Brady (0-2, 1f). Subs: J. Dillon for O’Connor, K. Duke for Conroy, P. McEvoy for Flanagan, C. Madden for Mooney, C. Moynagh for Argue.

Down: M. Cunningham, M. Hughes, R. Lively, D. Murtagh, R. Johnston (0-1), C. McCartan, D. O’Hanlon, C. Gough, C. Maginn, J. Johnston, M. Bagnall (0-1), S. McArdle, N. Madine (0-1), D. Savage (0-3, 2f), M. Monan. Subs: G. McGovern for Lively, P. Murdock for Maginn, D. Gilmore for McArdle, J Flynn for Bagnall.

Down 0-6

Cavan 1-12

ULSTER U-21 FC SEMI-FINAL

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